Blogroll

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.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

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.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

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.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

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.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love comics and superheroes.

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 16, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 16, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: DC crusader

The words are related to superheroes.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe an iconic comic superhero.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Batman.

NYT Strands word list for January 16

• Robin

• Joker

• Cape

• Batman

• Penguin

• Vengeance

• Manor

• Justice

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a car fanatic.

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 16, 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 16, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A rider.

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 R.

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...

RACER

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 16, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Injury prevention

• Green: Energized

• Blue: Cutting

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Protective gear

• Green: Hype

• Blue: Sharp things

• Purple: "Southern ____" Schools

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 #480 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Protective gear - GLOVES, HELMET, MOUTH GUARD, SHOULDER PADS

• Hype - ANTICIPATION, BALLYHOO, BUILDUP, BUZZ

• Sharp things - DART, HAIRPIN TURN, ICE SKATE, JAVELIN

• "Southern ____" Schools - CALIFORNIA, ILLINOIS, METHODIST, MISS

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

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

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

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

SAVE OVER $90: As of Jan. 16, the Eufy C10 robot vacuum is down to $206.99 at Amazon. This is $93 off its list price of $299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy C10 Robot Vacuum $206.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $93   Get Deal

Some robot vacuums come with very high price tags, but if you're not looking to drop a ton of cash on a model, there are still some great budget options available. In fact, one of our favorite cheap robot vacuums, the Eufy C10, has received a discount of over $90 at Amazon.

As of Jan. 16, the Eufy C10 robot vacuum is on sale for $206.99 at Amazon. Overall, this is $93 off its list price of $299.99, but it's also incredibly close to its lowest-ever price of $197.99. If you've been looking for extra cleaning assistance ahead of spring, but with a more affordable price tag, this robot vacuum deal is well worth checking out.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Alongside its budget-friendly price tag, the Eufy C10 is a robot vacuum we consider to be a great pick for small spaces, noting in our roundup of the best cheap robot vacuums that "For folks who live in apartments and smaller homes, the self-emptying Eufy C10 is sized (and priced) just right."

It features a 4,000 Pa suction power to pick up crumbs, dirt, pet hair, and more on your floors alongside a self-empty station that only needs replacing every 60 days. On top of that, the Eufy C10 has a slim design that's just 2.85-inches high to allow it to slip underneath furniture, and comes with LiDAR navigation that helps it to map out your home for an effective clean.

This limited-time deal may not stick around for long, though. Act fast to save on the Eufy C10 robot vacuum at Amazon. Looking for more options worth checking out? Our overall roundup of the best robot vacuums can point you towards some of our top picks as well.

SAVE OVER $500: As of Jan. 16, the Sony 85-inch Bravia 3 TV is on sale for $1,098 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony 85-inch Bravia 3 TV $1,098 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $501.99   Get Deal

If you're on the hunt for a new TV, there's a new deal on the Sony 85-inch Bravia 3 at Amazon that you need to know about.

As of Jan. 16, this impressive TV is reduced by over $500 and is now down to $1,098. It comes with Google TV and even has features specifically for the PlayStation 5. This price is for the 85-inch model, but if that's too big for your space, the 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch models are all reduced too.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

This TV truly has a lot going for it, from the built-in Google Assistant to easy access to major streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, and more. The Google Assistant is perfect for voice control searches, and the Google TV OS makes for a simple navigating experience, with all your favorite shows and movies in one place. It has unmatched picture quality too, which is highlighted by Triluminos Pro, giving you vivid color and detailed images, no matter what you're watching.

The TV also includes special features designed to optimize gaming on the PlayStation 5. These include Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, so if you're a gamer, this TV is designed for you.

Ready to upgrade your TV? Get this deal at Amazon.

Finn Wolfhard is hosting SNL this week, and the Stranger Things jokes have already begun.

In one of several rapidfire promos above, alongside musical guest A$AP Rocky and SNL staff member Sarah Sherman, Wolfhard asks the others to rate how excited they are from a scale of one to ten — but both keep answering "eleven".

"Are you guys doing a bit?" says an exasperated Wolfhard. "Like, from Stranger Things?"

"Er, I only know about normaler things," is Sherman's response.

As Americans continue to struggle with rising grocery prices in Donald Trump's economy, the White House is offering up some groundbreaking "tips" for saving money at meal times. In a widely derided interview, agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins suggested families could both adhere to the Trump administration's new dietary guidelines and only spend $3 on a meal consisting of "a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, you know, a corn tortilla, and one other thing."

"I love to sit down for dinner with my family and dig into a healthy plate that consists of one piece of chicken, one piece of broccoli, one corn tortilla, and because we're f***ing rolling in it, one other thing," responded Seth Meyers on Late Night on Thursday. "That list is so bad I'm guessing the 'one other thing' is a single French fry you have to wrestle away from a pigeon in a McDonald's parking lot.

"Seriously, 'one piece of chicken, one piece of broccoli, and one corn tortilla' is your recommendation to Americans for what they should eat. That sounds like a meal aliens would bring to your cell after they abduct you. 'Please enjoy some of your Earth foods. You will need your strength for the probing.'"

Meyers also pointed out that Rollins said her team ran "over 1,000 simulations" to come up with this novel $3 meal idea.

"I'm sorry, you had to run over 1,000 simulations to add up the cost of three grocery items? Don't use the computer for that! That's not what the computer is for!" he said. "Also, what do you mean 'it can cost $3' — in how many of the simulations did it cost more? 'In one simulation, there was a corn virus, and the chickens ate the corn, and all the chickens died, and it was like a million dollars.'"

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 16, 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. 16 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 16 Pips

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

Less Than (11): Everything in this space must be less than 11. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 16 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

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

Number (24): Everything in this space must add up to 24. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horiontally; 1-4, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Number (20): Everything in this space must add up to 20. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

SAVE $150: As of Jan.16, the Breville Barista Express Impress is on sale for $649.95 at Amazon. That's a 19% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Express Impress $649.95 at Amazon
$799.95 Save $150   Get Deal

If you're a true coffee connoisseur, chances are you turn your nose up at most instant offerings and instead go for a perfectly ground bean, brewed in a French press, Moka pot, or coffee machine. But if you really want to get the most out of your morning jolt, why not brew your beans in the Breville Barista Express Impress. It lives up to its name and truly does impress, but even better than that, as of Jan. 16, it's on sale at Amazon.

Right now, you'll save $150 on this model with a new price of $649.95. It comes with everything you'll need to make your perfect drink, including a portafilter, milk jug, one and two cup single and dual wall filter baskets, water filter holder, razor precision trimming tool, and cleaning tablets.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

This machine makes creating great espresso a piece of cake. It has a clever dosing system that automatically calculates and adjusts the amount of fresh coffee for each shot. Assisted tamping applies a consistent 10kg of pressure with a barista-style twist for a clean, polished puck, and the integrated conical burr grinder offers 25 grind settings to fine-tune the flavor of your beans. It also comes with a built-in steam wand so you can steam milk for drinks like lattes or cappuccinos.

This coffee machine deal is available at Amazon now.

I’m an avid self-hoster. There are very few services that I use that I don’t self-host. However, there’s one service that I will happily continue to pay for and never even try to self-host, and what it is might surprise you.