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In a world full of endless specialty devices, do you really need one more thing? For readers, the answer is often yes. E-readers like Kindles and Kobos are devices that bridge the gap between a physical book and a tablet. They're extremely portable, hold thousands of books at once, and are gentle on the eyes. But what if you already have a tablet?

Tablets and e-readers aren't exactly the same — you can do a lot more on a tablet — but both let you read digital books. I've read dozens of books on my iPad and think it makes a perfectly good e-reader — as long as you make a few changes. Here's how to turn your tablet into an e-reader.

Anti-glare screen protectors Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Paperlike Screen Protectors $49.99 at Amazon
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When I first read on my iPad, I experienced some eye fatigue. The glare and bright light of the screen were often too much, even when I turned down the brightness and turned up the display warmth. The solution was easy: a screen protector that adds a matte finish. Paperlike's screen protectors immediately tone down the screen, making it gentler on the eyes. As a bonus, if you're using a stylus or Apple Pencil with a tablet, these screen protectors emulate the feel of writing on paper rather than a slick screen.

Download the essential apps, Libby, Kindle, Apple Books The essential apps for reading on your tablet. Credit: Google / Libby / Apple / Mashable

To read on your tablet, you'll need access to books. For iPad users, Apple Books comes pre-installed, and for Android users, there is Google Books. The Kindle app is also available across devices, which provides access to all the e-books you've purchased through Amazon.

Probably our favorite reading app is Libby, which connects to your local library and allows you to borrow e-books. Plus, it's totally free, whereas on Apple Books, Google Books, and the Kindle app, you'll have to purchase books.

Turn on grayscale

Color is new to the world of e-readers, and previously, everything was black and white. If that's part of the appeal of an e-reader, you can adjust the settings on your tablet.

To move to grayscale on your iPad, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. Within Display and Text Size, navigate to Color Filters. In Color Filters, turn on grayscale.

On an Android tablet, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Color and motion > Color correction. Once you're in color correction, you can select grayscale.

Turn on do not disturb

Another perk to e-readers — they're distraction-free. There's no internet to browse or texts to pop up. With tablets, there will be distractions, and the best you can do to avoid them is to turn on do-not-disturb modes, which should be available on most tablets.

Accessorize with a grip, stand, or remote

E-reader users are a devoted bunch who love to personalize their devices, and why shouldn't that be the same with a tablet? Lots of users like a clear case paired with a PopSockets for their e-reader, something you can easily replicate on a tablet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Moko Moko Clear iPad Case $7.95 at Amazon
$9.99 Save $2.04   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Adhesive Grip $9.97 at Amazon
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Another favorite in the e-reader community? A page-turning remote so you don't actually need to hold your e-reader. Thanks to the world of the endless scroll, there are a variety of page-turning remotes compatible with iPads. Yes, these remotes scroll through your social media, but they also turn the pages on your e-book. Since you don't won't want to hold your tablet either, you'll need a stand, too. This could be as simple as a folio-style case, or maybe you want to go all out with a floor stand.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fikavi Fikavi Scrolling Ring Remote $13.99 at Amazon
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Across Instagram and TikTok, influencers and would-be content creators are churning out low-effort prank and pickup artist videos using the discreet recording features of Meta Ray-Bans and other smart glasses. Many of these clips cross from cringe into outright troubling, with creators harassing women, service workers, and the homeless. In some videos, creators pretend to be mentally disabled, trans, or gay just to provoke reactions from unsuspecting people.

All of these videos have one thing in common: They show that anyone can become the unwitting star of someone else's social media video. Consent doesn't enter into it at all.

The glasses' inconspicuous nature is used to create all kinds of content that regularly pulls in hundreds of thousands of views on Instagram and TikTok. The severity and intrusiveness vary from creator to creator. Some accounts produce more positive content, sometimes referred to as "joybait," by complimenting strangers.

Other videos cross over into outright harassment. Some focus specifically on trying to get women’s phone numbers, with comment sections often dogpiling on the women based on how receptive or unreceptive they are to the advance. The BBC recently documented multiple cases in which women were approached by men wearing smart glasses, unknowingly recorded, and later subjected to sexualized and abusive comments online. Other accounts center on smaller but deliberately irritating interactions, like saying nonsense to a drive-thru worker, trapping cashiers in circular conversations, or showing up minutes before a store closes to try and place a large order.

"I know it’s legal. I don’t care...That’s not the discussion. I think it’s weird and creepy, and it shows a very predatory mindset."

The general setup is largely the same: go to a public place and say or do something intentionally off-putting solely to elicit a reaction. In one recurring example, a creator has posted multiple videos approaching women in beauty supply stores like Ulta or James Avery and pretending to shop for a gift for an underage girlfriend.

View this post on Instagram

However, other accounts lean into far more socially transgressive behavior. Accounts like kemobandz1 and bootyworshipping produce sexually suggestive content involving unsuspecting women. The former records himself inside massage parlors, teasing viewers through captions that his visit will end in a sexual experience, later uploading the full videos as explicit pay-per-view content on sites like No Fans. (This has also been documented by 404 Media.) The latter account is largely self-explanatory, with the creator’s Reels page filled with videos of him non-consensually filming women’s bodies and posting the footage to Instagram for thousands of views.

While reporting this article, I contacted Meta about the ways its smart glasses are being used. After I provided multiple examples, including the two accounts mentioned above, Meta disabled the Instagram accounts for violating its policy on Adult Sexual Exploitation.

In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said that users "are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and for using Ray-Ban Meta glasses in a safe, respectful manner." It continued, "as with any recording device, people shouldn't use them for engaging in harmful activities like harassment, infringing on privacy rights, or capturing sensitive information."

According to a Reuters report, Meta has sold more than 2 million pairs of smart glasses since the product’s launch in 2023, with sales tripling in 2025.

Legal doesn’t mean ethical Credit: Screenshot courtesy of TikTok

Crucially, these activities, whether it’s rizz accounts, hassling service workers, or pretending to be mentally disabled to exploit the kindness of firefighters, don't break the law.

"[The] law has not changed, meaning that you do not have an expectation of privacy in public spaces," said Julian Sarafian, a California-based attorney who represents online content creators. "That means you can be recorded in those spaces and have limited legal recourse, if any, against people who publish content that includes you."

According to Sarafian, even when it’s not immediately obvious that cameras are present, the focus of any legal claim is where the recording takes place. That’s why many of these videos are filmed in fast food restaurants, shopping malls, or on busy streets around bars and nightlife areas.

"Some states, like California, are also two-party consent states, meaning that recording conversations where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy is not allowed unless both parties consent," Sarafian said. "With prank videos, it comes down to context. A public park? No two-party consent required. A private dining room in a restaurant? Two-party consent required."

But for some creators and observers, the fact that this content is legal misses the point entirely.

Brad Podray, a content creator who formerly went by the name Scumbag Dad, argues that videos filmed with smart glasses rely on people, particularly women, not knowing they are being recorded. In his view, legality has become a convenient shield for predatory and exploitative behavior.

"I know it’s legal. I don’t care," Brad said. "That’s not the discussion. I think it’s weird and creepy, and it shows a very predatory mindset."

According to Podray, the issue is not whether filming in public is technically legal, but how creators extract value from people who never consented to being part of the content. He describes this dynamic as turning unsuspecting subjects into unpaid labor.

He added that creators gravitate toward women and service workers because they are more likely to produce usable reactions and less likely to push back in ways that threaten the content.

"I always thought that was very cowardly, because the women don’t know they’re on camera,” said Podray, who has made several satirical, staged videos critiquing this type of behavior. "The women would roll into the comments section once the video went viral and say, ‘I was just being nice, I wanted you to leave me alone,’ and then the comments would absolutely dogpile them."

View this post on Instagram

Podray says the appeal of smart glasses is not just their discretion, but how cheaply and efficiently they allow creators to produce content at scale. Because the people being filmed are not acting, their reactions feel more authentic, which he says makes the videos perform better with audiences.

"They want people who are good on camera, so they’re going to hit fast food employees, and they’re going to hit pretty girls,” Podray said. "A lot of random women walking around aren’t going to want to participate in a skit if you ask them to, so they remove the agency entirely by just running the glasses."

He argues that this dynamic is rarely understood by viewers, who often assume everyone on camera has agreed to participate. When those assumptions are challenged, he says the response is frequently hostile.

"The audience believes everybody on camera is an actor meant for their entertainment," he said. "Any attempt to humanize them is met with cynicism or outright aggressiveness."

For Podray, that disconnect is what makes the trend so troubling. The law allows creators to film in public, and creeps know it.

Creators say it’s just "entertainment" Image pixelated and blurred for privacy reasons. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of TikTok

Troll content like prank channels or pickup artist videos is nothing new. For a time, prank channels were among the most popular on YouTube, starting with prank-call-focused channels like Ownage Pranks. As technology evolved and smartphones became more widespread, prank creators shifted toward street content, with channels like Roman Atwood, fouseyTUBE, and LAHWF gaining massive followings.

Over time, prank channels on YouTube began to fall out of favor as larger creators pushed increasingly outrageous stunts for views. It also became clear that many of these channels were hiring actors or staging their content, undermining the original appeal of pranks that were supposedly spontaneous and authentic.

Smart glasses have made it easier than ever to capture the kind of authentic, outlandish reactions that largely disappeared when YouTube prank channels fell out of favor. While Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses include an LED indicator meant to signal when recording is taking place, outlets like 404 Media have reported that wearers can pay third-party services to disable the light. Some creators, including accounts like minddecaycam, have openly admitted to blocking the indicator light.

A screenshot from a recent @minddecaycam video. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Instagram

Mashable reached out to several smart glasses creators for comment. While many did not respond in time for publication, one account, HeyMetaGuy, said he views his content as entertainment first.

"Realistically, I’ve made a few other pages for things that are not in the same field, but I just saw content in this way," HeyMetaGuy said. "I was like, I want to make content like this myself, because I know how to edit and whatnot, and just generally pranking people, messing with people, getting their reactions is cool."

When asked about the ethics of filming people who may not realize they’re being recorded, HeyMetaGuy compared the practice to the everyday surveillance already present in public life.

"For the ethical standpoint, I believe no matter where we go nowadays, we’re being recorded," he said. "Whether you walk into an establishment, there’s security cameras everywhere. We’re being recorded."

HeyMetaGuy said he does not disable the LED indicator on his glasses, though he acknowledged that most people don’t understand what the light signifies when they notice it.

"It’s not really hidden," he said. "It’s just more the fact that people don’t know what’s going on. Like, when they see a light, they don’t really know what’s going on."

HeyMetaGuy added that while most people he records laugh about his trolling, he has faced at least one threat of legal action, but he states that filming in public places is clearly permitted.

A serious threat to privacy

For privacy and civil liberties advocates, that growing adoption raises deeper concerns about how easily wearable cameras can blend into everyday life. Jake Laperruque, the deputy director of the Security and Surveillance Project at the Center for Democracy and Technology, said the rise of prank and "social experiment" content filmed with smart glasses highlights how difficult it is to recognize these devices in use.

"It’s very concerning that these and other interactions seem to show these glasses are too inconspicuous to be recognized when they’re recording people," Laperruque said. "Being able to easily buy and use tech to secretly record people creates serious dangers."

While Laperruque does not believe wearable cameras represent a fundamental shift in surveillance culture just yet, he said pushback may come from the public rather than lawmakers.

"People and places of public accommodation might decide this isn’t the type of social engagement they want and push back," he said, adding that he would not be surprised if gyms, bars, and other businesses began banning wearable recording devices altogether.

Looking ahead, Laperruque said the biggest concern is how discreet recording could intersect with other technologies.

"I’m most worried about the risk of people wanting anonymity in sensitive situations and being doxxed," he said. "If devices are able to record secretly and combined with facial recognition, it could be a serious threat to privacy and civil liberties."

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Jan. 22. The winter edition of the Cozy Mystery Book Blast offers free cozy mystery books for your e-reader.

We know that we literally only just made an announcement that Stuff Your Kindle Day was back for 2026, but we're back to tell you that there are two free giveaways running concurrently right now. Is this too much or are new events always welcome? We'll let you be the judge.

As the name suggests, the winter edition of the Cozy Mystery Book Blast is offering 150+ cozy mystery books for free. And better yet, the books that you download for free are yours to keep forever. We can't think of a better way to spend these winter months. So get comfortable, shut out all the noise, and stock up without spending anything.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Kindles to help you find the perfect e-reader

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The winter edition of the Cozy Mystery Book Blast takes place on Jan. 22. Unlike the Play Game giveaway running from Jan. 21-24, this book blast is only live for 24 hours. That means participants need to act fast to secure all the free books on their wishlists. Consider yourself warned.

Anyone can participate in Stuff Your Kindle Day. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone.

Which ebooks are free?

The Cozy Mystery Book Blast has a helpful hub page with everything organized into sub-genres. You can find free books grouped into these categories:

• Contemporary cozies

• Historical cozies

• Paranormal cozies

You can find links to the Kindle Store and other popular retailers.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $109.99 at Amazon
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These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase.

Where to pre-order Lego Pokémon sets at a glance: Pikachu and Poké Ball $199.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Eevee $59.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise $649.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here

The first-ever Lego Pokémon sets are here. Well, almost. Everyone's favorite Danish toy company revealed the highly anticipated sets on Monday and they're officially available for preorder as of Jan. 12.

There are three main sets in the launch, based on some of the most iconic, fan-favorite creatures from Pokémon's 30-year history. Those include Pikachu, of course, as well as Eevee, Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise, all recreated in Lego brick form. Pokémon fans young and old can continue their trainer journey and catch (build?) them all brick by brick.

“As a lifelong Pokémon fan, it's been an incredible honor to help bring these Pokémon to life in LEGO brick form for the first time,” said Siddharth Muthyala, Design Director on LEGO Pokémon in a press release. “Pokémon has inspired generations of fans around the world, so our team approached the design of these sets with immense care and passion, ensuring every detail and pose truly celebrates what makes these characters so beloved."

To coincide with Pokémon Day (yes, that's a real thing), all three sets will officially launch on Feb. 27, 2026. If you want to secure your sets in advance, here are all the preorder details.

Pikachu and Poké Ball Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball $199.99 at Lego
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Obviously there couldn't be a Pokémon collection without Pikachu. This 2,050-piece set recreates one of the most iconic scenes from the franchise: Pikachu jumping out of the Poké Ball for battle. It offers two different build options — battle stance and a seated pose with a closed Poké Ball — and includes Easter eggs for fans like a "25" on the base, signifying Pikachu’s Pokédex number. It retails for $199.99 and while it was available for preorder, the limit is now displaying as "exceeded." Here's hoping pre-orders reopen for the most famous Pokémon of all.

Eevee Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Eevee $59.99 at Lego
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The cutest Pokémon in the bunch, this 587-piece Lego set builds out to an adorable 7.5-inch tall Eevee. With a movable tail, head, and limbs, builders can pose the fan-favorite in two ways: at rest or ready to jump into action. The most modestly priced of the sets, it retails for $59.99 and is officially up for preorder at Lego.com.

Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise $649.99 at Lego
  Pre-order Here

Not for the faint of heart, the epic Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise set features 6,838 pieces and brings three fan favorites to life in one of Lego's largest display sets ever. Each of the figures can be displayed individually or together on the action base, which is full of Easter eggs for fans. The design details on the base are inspired by each of the Pokémon’s biomes (beach, jungle, and volcano) for further depth. All three also have articulated parts, so they can be posed however you desire. The price is also not for the faint of heart. It retails for *gulp* $649.99 and is officially available for preorder on the Lego website.

If you purchase this set before March 3 (while supplies last), you'll also get a free gift: the Kanto Region Badge Collection set.

TL;DR: The Lego Pokémon Kanto Region Badge Collection comes as a free gift with preorders of the new Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Kanto Region Badge Collection Free when you buy the Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set (while supplies last) Get Deal

We spend a lot of time sourcing the best deals on just about everything, so we know what sells. And you know what really gets the people going? Lego and Pokémon.

Any sort of shopping opportunity on Lego or Pokémon sends the world into a spin. There really isn't any comparison, so now that the two juggernauts have come together in the form of three sets launching in February, you best believe that we're hunting for every single opportunity to save.

Lego Pokémon sets are now available to pre-order. The Pikachu and Poké Ball is listed for $199.99, Eevee is $59.99, and the Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set is $649.99. These sets will release on Feb. 27. At this early stage, you're not going to find discounts on these preorders. Instead, you should be seeking out free gifts that sweeten the deal.

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If you purchase the Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set before March 3, you'll get the Kanto Region Badge Collection as a free gift with purchase (while supplies last). Coming in at 312 pieces and recommended for ages 18 and up, this buildable case houses all eight Pokémon Kanto region badges from the first generation of games.

It's a seriously cool set. Will it pursuade shoppers to drop over $600 on the Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set? We're not sure. But if you were already lining up the biggest and most expensive set from this new Pokémon Lego launch, you should note the deadline and the fact that supply is limited.

Act fast to secure the Kanto Region Badge Collection as a free gift with purchase.

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

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

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

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

What is the Winter Olympics?

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

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

When is the 2026 Winter Olympics?

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

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free

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

• Australia — 9Now

• Austria — ORF

• Canada — CBC Gem

• France — France TV

• Germany — ARD

• Ireland — RTÉ Player

• Italy — RAI

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer

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

Access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free access

4. Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics for free with ExpressVPN.

Which MacBook should you buy?

As of January 2026, I think the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air is the best choice for most people. It offers quiet, Pro-level power in a more portable design and at a more reasonable price point. Better yet, it's frequently on sale for under $1,000 at Amazon and Best Buy.

The new 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is the superior pick if you want a nicer 120Hz display, cooler multitasking performance, a better variety of ports, and the best battery life — and you've got some wiggle room in your budget. Its predecessor is still worth considering if you can find it on sale.

Below, I've detailed all of my recommendations for the best MacBooks to buy in 2026, including more options for students, bargain hunters, and creative professionals who can splurge.

What's on deck: Apple's rumored 2026 MacBook lineup

Based on its usual update cycle, Apple's 2026 launches will almost certainly include new MacBook Airs in 13- and 15-inch sizes and new MacBook Pros in 14- and 16-inch variants. The Airs will likely come with the base M5 chip (the same one found in the existing 14-inch MacBook Pro), while the new Pros will probably be powered by high-end M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.

Word has it that we're also getting a brand-new entry-level MacBook that runs on the A18 chip, the same processor that powered the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus from late 2024. This is according to 9to5Mac, which also reports that the device could start at $699 — the same price point as high-end Chromebooks.

Rumors of a redesigned MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen have been floating around for some time, but that probably won't arrive until late 2026 in the M6 generation at the very earliest, per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

One of the greatest free solo climbers of all time, Alex Honnold, is about to risk everything to scale the Taipei 101 skyscraper — one of the tallest buildings in the world. And you can watch it all happen live on Netflix. Here's everything you need to know to tune in.

What is Skyscraper Live?

Unlike the prerecorded climbing documentary Free Solo, Skyscraper Live will follow Honnold as he scales the Taipei 101 skyscraper in real time. A true high-stakes live broadcast, viewers will experience every moment of Honnold's ascent of the iconic 1,667-foot-tall building live. If you can already feel your palms sweating, you're not alone.

"I’m sure viewers will probably be on edge watching this," Honnold said in a Q&A. "I assume that most people will be sort of uncomfortable watching the whole thing. But I hope that viewers get a little bit of my joy from the experience — that they can appreciate the fun of it and the beauty of it, the scenery, just the whole experience. It’s not just extreme sports — it’s more."

How to watch Skyscraper Live

The Skyscraper Live two-hour global event will take place on Jan. 23, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) live only on Netflix.

If you don't already subscribe to Netflix, the most affordable way to sign up is to opt for the monthly subscription with ads for $7.99. If you don't want ads, your next-best choice is to sign up for Netflix Standard for $17.99 per month. There's also a third tier dubbed Netflix Premium, which costs $24.99 per month and lets you watch on four household devices at once in 4K Ultra HD + HDR with no ads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix subscription Starting at $7.99 per month Shop Now The best Netflix deals

Before you sign up for Netflix, check out the deals below to see if you can get a free or discounted subscription. Be sure to double-check the terms for more details.

Best Netflix deal for T-Mobile customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix Standard (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers (save $7.99 per month) Get Deal

T-Mobile customers on most Go5G plans, as well as Experience Beyond and Experience More plans, get Netflix Standard with ads for free (reg. $7.99 per month) as long as their account is in good standing. You need to have two or more lines of any type of Go5G or Magenta plan, or at least one line of Go5G Next, Go5G Plus, Magenta MAX, Experience More, or Experience Beyond, in order to be eligible.

While the Netflix subscription is free for eligible customers, you'll have to manually activate it by logging into My.T-Mobile and selecting Manage add-ons. Once there, add Netflix in the Services section, and you'll be prompted to either create a Netflix account or sign in to an existing one. T-Mobile will take care of your Netflix bill each month. Check out the terms and FAQs on the promo page.

Best Netflix deal for Verizon customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / HBO Max Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $8.98 per month) Get Deal

As of December 2023, Verizon customers with myPlan can add a Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) for just $10 per month ($8.98 per month in savings). That essentially gets you Netflix with ads for free. Eligible Verizon customers include those on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plans. After enrolling in the promo, you'll have to complete the account setup separately for each service. Eligibility details, terms, and FAQs can be found on the Verizon support page.

Best Netflix deal for Xfinity customers Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV+ / Peacock / Netflix Netflix Standard with ads, Peacock Premium, and Apple TV+ $18 per month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $13.97 per month) Get Deal

Comcast launched its Xfinity StreamSaver package in 2024, which includes Netflix Standard with ads ($7.99 per month), Peacock Premium ($10.99 per month), and Apple TV+ ($12.99 per month). Essentially, current and new Xfinity Internet or TV customers can add the StreamSaver bundle to their existing services for only $18 per month. Typically $31.97 per month for all three, you'll save about $13.97 monthly.

How to watch Free Solo

Free Solo, the National Geographic Documentary Film following Honnold climbing the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, is a great way to pre-game the Skyscraper Live broadcast. Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the 2018 Oscar winner is a captivating and nauseating adventure up a 3,000-foot mountain without the assistance of ropes, harnesses, or other protective gear.

If you want to watch the documentary feature before diving into the livestream, it's currently streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. If you're already signing up for Netflix to watch Skyscraper Live, you can kill two birds with one stone. If you want to see what you're getting yourself into before pulling the trigger, you can watch for free on Hulu with a 30-day trial.

Mashable staff and contributors have tested nearly a dozen popular Chromebooks over the course of the past two years, and as of early 2026, there are six I recommend in particular. My top pick for most people is the Lenovo 5i Flex Chromebook Plus, a mid-range convertible with excellent build quality, upper-level performance, and an all-day battery life. It's priced at $599.99 in two configurations, and one is usually on sale for well under $400.

My complete guide to the best Chromebooks includes other picks for budget shoppers, splurgers, kids, and casual gamers, so keep scrolling. (And if you aren't sure whether a Chromebook is right for you, check out my explainer on how they're different from regular Windows laptops and MacBooks.)

What's on deck

Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo all announced new Chromebooks for 2026 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January. None of them have set pricing or release dates for their devices yet, but we plan on testing them as soon as they're available. Here's the full lineup:

• The 15-inch Acer Chromebook 315 will be powered by MediaTek's new Kompanio 540 chip, a lesser version of its powerful Kompanio Ultra 910 chip (as seen in the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 and the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14).

• The Asus Chromebook CM14 and CM15 are clamshell-style models that will come in six color options, though not all of them will be available in the U.S. They'll run on the Kompanio 540 chip, too.

• The Asus Chromebook CM32 Detachable has a 2.5K 120Hz display, a removable keyboard, and that same Kompanio 540 processor. I saw this one in person at CES and thought it looked a lot like an iPad.

• The HP Chromebook 14 and Chromebook Plus 14 are entry-level options with 2K displays and basic Intel processors. The HP Chromebook x360 14 and Chromebook Plus x360 14 are their convertible counterparts. These will probably be some of the cheapest options available.

• Lenovo Chromebook Plus 15 i is a 15-incher with an Intel Core i3 processor (hence the "15 i" in its name). It will have a 2K display, a 5MP webcam, and a fingerprint reader, making it a higher-end variant.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026:

AcrossWhen doubled, a breed of dog

• The answer is Chow.

With 7-Across, Ben & Jerry's flavor named for a rock legend

• The answer is Cherry.

See 5-Across

• The answer is Garcia.

"Whatever you decide is good with me"

• The answer is I'm easy.

Whispered sound from a test cheater

• The answer is Psst.

DownTournament victor

• The answer is Champ.

"___ the scoop ..."

• The answer is Here's.

Killer whales

• The answer is Orcas.

Place for a bracelet

• The answer is Wrist.

Tech used for many of the ping-pong scenes in "Marty Supreme"

• The answer is CGI.

"Woo-hoo!"

• The answer is Yay.

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

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

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

Shark vacuums shine at spot cleaning, but have a big blind spot

Scheduled full-room cleanings are a huge part of the convenience of a robot vacuum. The other half has to do with unexpected messes that need to be dealt with right now with as little clicking around in an app as possible.

In my at-home testing, Shark robot vacuums are extremely straightforward and reliable spot cleaners. Setting a zone for a one-time clean in the Shark app is as black and white as dragging a square in the designated spot cleaning tab. The Shark knows to shift itself into Matrix cleaning mode for any spot cleaning situations, and automatically goes over the spot multiple times from multiple angles. Many other budget robot vacuums won't take a second look unless you remember to toggle the number of cleaning passes from one to two. Matrix cleaning automatically covers one of my tips for making your robot vacuum work better.

Is dependable spot cleaning a Shark-only skill? Of course not. But Shark robot vacuums still get credit for do it while staying firmly in the budget robot vacuum category, and they're on sale frequently.

SEE ALSO: Roborock dropped 3 new robot vacuums at CES 2026. Of course they set a new suction power record.

On the other hand, Shark's one big blind spot (literally) is small obstacle avoidance technology. Shark is forever being upstaged by frequent new releases from iRobot, Roborock, Eufy, and Dreame, who all have models at Shark prices that can steer clear of obstacles like cords and pet waste. Based on my experience, Shark hasn't mastered this skill yet. But Shark is due for a major update to its lineup, and has been due for a while — Shark takes forever to release new robot vacuums. A highly-agile Shark robot vacuum has to be on the way in 2026... right?

New robot vacuums announced at CES 2026

Shark didn't participate in CES 2026. But several other top robot vacuum brands did, and their new flagship robot vacuum and mop combos are going to create major room for improvement for Shark's flagship PowerDetect robot vacuums, which desperately need a successor. The top robovacs to look out for are the Roborock Saros 20 Sonic and Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete, and the Narwal Flow 2. I will be testing these at home as soon as possible and will update this guide accordingly once all are officially available for purchase.

Ubisoft has cancelled the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, as well as axed five other games. Announced on Wednesday, the cancellations come as part of a major company restructure aimed at improving its growth and its finances — with some cost cutting having already been done via layoffs.

SEE ALSO: Ubisoft takes 'Rainbow Six Siege' offline after significant hack

The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake was initially scheduled for launch on Jan. 21, 2021 when it was first announced in 2020. That date came and went, with Ubisoft announcing multiple delays before moving the game's development from its Mumbai and Pune studios to Montreal in 2022. Unfortunately, the delays continued even after the change in studio, and by 2024 Ubisoft was claiming Sands of Time would arrive in 2026.

Now there will be no release at all, with Ubisoft shutting down production on the game six years after it was announced. 

"While the project had real potential, we weren't able to reach the level of quality you deserve, and continuing would have required more time and investment than we could responsibly commit," read a statement posted to the official Prince of Persia X account on Wednesday. 

"Prince of Persia as a universe and a legacy continues to matter deeply to us, and this decision does not mean we're stepping away from the franchise."

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

Fans have reacted with disappointment, taking to social media to vent their frustration. Wednesday's announcement left many feeling bitter, as they'd been anticipating the Sands of Time remake since its announcement half a decade ago.

Reddit Reddit Reddit Ubisoft announces massive restructure

The Sands of Time's cancellation comes as part of a significant structural shakeup at Ubisoft. Revising its three-year roadmap, the company is refocusing on open-world and live service games, and plans to make "accelerated investments behind player-facing Generative AI."

A pivotal part of Ubisoft's restructure is its new operating model, which is focused on five specialised "Creative Houses." These new units within the company will each focus on a different game genre, and take care of a title's production and publication themselves. Ubisoft is also establishing two new internal organisations, the Creative Network and Core Services, which will provide production support to all five Houses.

"Each [Creative House] is built around a clear genre and brand focus, with full responsibility and financial ownership, led by dedicated leadership teams," said Ubisoft founder and CEO Yves Guillemot. "It is a radical move, relying on a more decentralised creative organisation with faster decision making and best-in-class cross functional core services supporting and serving each Creative House."

CH1 aka Vantage Studios will be dedicated to scaling Ubisoft's biggest franchises such as Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. CH2 will focus on competitive and cooperative shooters such as The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. CH3 will be in charge of live games like For Honor, The Crew, and Skull & Bones. CH4 will take care of games that are narrative-driven or take place in fantasy worlds, including Anno, Rayman, Beyond Good & Evil, and yes, Prince of Persia. Finally, CH5 will work on casual and family-friendly brands Just Dance, Uno, and Hasbro.

However, not all of Ubisoft's games will get to move into one of these Houses as Sands of Time and five other titles have been cancelled — a "strategic decision to refocus its portfolio" after reviewing its content pipeline. Four of the cancelled titles had not yet been announced, three of which had been brand new IPs. According to Ubisoft, the six games were axed because they did not "meet the new enhanced quality as well as more selective portfolio prioritisation criteria." 

Guillemot stated that though Ubisoft's restructure will have a significant impact on its finances over the next two years, he expects it to come out the other side stronger. Unfortunately, not all its employees will be around to appreciate it. The company has conducted ongoing layoffs in an effort to reduce costs over the last few years, shrinking its headcount from almost 21,000 in 2022 to 17,097 by its earnings call last November.

Further layoffs are expected as Ubisoft continues its cost-cutting program in earnest, with its studios in Halifax and Stockholm having already closed. The company laid off a further 29 workers after restructuring its Abu Dhabi studio earlier this month, and confirmed that it expects to cut 55 jobs from its Massive and Stockholm studios.

Kindness builds trust. But confusing kindness with avoiding discomfort can erode performance, drain morale, and stall your organization. If you’re rewarding underperformance, sidestepping feedback, or clinging to weak projects to spare feelings, you’re being nice at the expense of being good. Here’s how to reset.  Hold people accountable—especially high earners. Paying more should come with higher expectations. Be clear about performance standards, track progress […]

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

Elena Rybakina has her eyes on winning the 2026 Australian Open. The No. 5 seed reached the final of the Melbourne-hosted tournament in 2023 but she's yet to win it. And she showed how much she wants it in a tough but decisive first-round victory.

While other top seeds Sabalenka and Gauff have advanced to the third round already, Rybakina has to get past her second-round opponent, France's Varvara Gracheva, before she can join them. Will the Kazakstani superstar find Gracheva a tricky draw? Or is this round merely a formality on her way to winning that elusive Australian Open title?

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

How to watch Rybakina vs. Gracheva for free

Rybakina vs. Gracheva in the 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Rybakina vs. Gracheva without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Rybakina vs. Gracheva in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

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

The 2026 Australian Open rumbles on with more games between the best players in the world. Fans will be keeping a keen eye on the progress of second seed Jannik Sinner. The Italian won this Grand Slam in 2024 and 2025 — can he make it three in a row?

The likes of Alcaraz and Djokovic will probably stand in his way in the latter rounds, but for now, he faces off against unseeded James Duckworth. The Australian beat Sinner is straight sets back in 2021, with some tension rising between the two players in that fiery matchup. Will we see more of the same when they come together in Melbourne? You can find out without spending anything.

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

How to watch Sinner vs. Duckworth for free

Sinner vs. Duckworth in the 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Sinner vs. Duckworth without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Sinner vs. Duckworth in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A sealant

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

CAULK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A thin, folded dessert.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 22, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CREPE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

May.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 22, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

WOULD

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A popular fall/winter drink.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CIDER

Final Hurdle hint

Likeness.

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

GUISE

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

The AI upgrade to Siri, Apple's creaky old voice assistant, has been brewing for some time. Now we have more details, courtesy of a report from Apple super-scooper Mark Gurman.

As expected, the new version of Siri — codenamed Campos — will use a fine-tuned version of Google Gemini for its on-board intelligence. But the bigger claim is how embedded it will be throughout the iPhone experience — and the features it is adding in common with Gemini and its OpenAI rival, ChatGPT.

Here's how Gurman describes what Apple insiders consider the "central feature" of its all-new Siri, apparently set to be unveiled by Tim Cook at WWDC 2026: "A chat-like feel and the back-and-forth conversational abilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini."

If unveiled in June and released in September as reported, all iPhone, iPad, and Mac users will be able to upgrade to ChatGPT-like chatter, courtesy of pressing a button or saying the magic word "Siri." Everything they could formerly do on the ChatGPT app would be directly accessible anytime they're holding their phone.

And oh yes, word to OpenAI (and Google, for that matter) — Apple almost certainly won't include ads, as the free model of ChatGPT is about to add. Apple's business model has long revolved around selling luxury hardware with the least software friction.

What would a ChatGPT-like Siri mean?

If this all turns out to be the case, the result could be earthshaking for the AI business. Here's why:

The iPhone is in the lead, breaking away from Samsung for the first time as of this year. Increasingly, it's the world's bestselling smartphone. If the entire iOS gets a chatbot upgrade baked in, and if ChatGPT doesn't give you anything you can't get via Siri, including the friendly chatty l'il know-all chatbot experience, the question becomes: How many out of the estimated 67 million daily active users of ChatGPT would still want the friction of opening an app?

SEE ALSO: Apple is reportedly working on an AI pin wearable that is AirTag-sized

A mass migration on iOS would come at the worst possible time for Sam Altman, who is reportedly burning through a billion dollars of OpenAI's war chest a month.

And Altman's problems may pale in comparison to Nvidia's if another part of Gurman's report pans out. Google and Apple are discussing hosting those millions of iPhone-based Siri chats on Google servers, using the company's specialized TPU chips — a direct rival to Nvidia's line of GPU chips that have made it, for the moment, the most valuable company in the world.

Apple, currently the third most valuable company in the world, in concert with Google, now the second-most valuable, may be about to turn that around — even before the arrival of a new CEO.

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 22, 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 22, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 22 Pips

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this red space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 22 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this red space must be equal to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 22 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 4-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (16): Everything in this space must be greater than 16. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you remember your childhood games.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Manic

• Green: Championship winners

• Blue: Not on TV anymore

• Purple: Reads like an NBA team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: An Energetic Person

• Green: Head Coaches Who Won A Super Bowl

• Blue: Former ESPN Shows

• Purple: Ends in an NBA Team, In Singular Form

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 #486 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• An Energetic Person - DYNAMO, FIREBALL, GO-GETTER, SPARK PLUG

• Head Coaches Who Won A Super Bowl - DON SHULA, JOHN MADDEN, MIKE TOMLIN, SEAN PAYTON

• Former ESPN Shows - AROUND THE HORN, DREAM JOB, PLAYMAKERS, STUMP THE SCHWAB

• Ends in an NBA Team, In Singular Form - EMPTY NET, JOE BUCK, THE YANKEE CLIPPER, TONY HAWK

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.

Eleven Labs announced today that it worked with artists such as Liza Minnelli for the Eleven Album, a collection of songs created to promote the company's new AI music generator, Eleven Music.

Many of the songs on the album are now streaming on Spotify in a public playlist. Additional tracks, including the new Liza Minnelli song, "Kids Wait Til You Hear This," can be heard on the ElevenLabs website. An ElevenLabs spokesperson told Mashable all of the songs will be available on Spotify soon.

Spoiler alert: The new Liza Minnelli song is... not great!

Introducing the Eleven Album

ElevenLabs is an AI audio company. It recently partnered with celebrities (including Minnelli) to launch the Iconic Voices Marketplace, which lets users license cloned celebrity voices in commercial or editorial work. The company's new AI music generator, Eleven Music, launched in December.

An ElevenLabs blog post describes the album as "a landmark musical release," but the album feels more like an advertisement for Eleven Music than genuine musical expression. Minnelli and Art Garfunkel are the biggest names on the album, which also features producers, songwriters, and musicians from a variety of genres.

"When you see people get involved in [AI projects], I think the first thing you gotta look at is how much money did they pay them?" said Justine Bateman, a filmmaker and author who has been an outspoken critic of generative AI in the arts, in a phone interview with Mashable. "Nobody is making partnerships with these tech companies — nobody legitimate in the business — is making any sort of partnerships with these tech companies for free. So they pay these people a lot of money, whoever it is, to partner with them, as marketing, to try and legalize themselves to their target audience, which is everyone who is not a filmmaker, or a musician.”

SEE ALSO: No, that AI country song didn't go No. 1 on Billboard. Yes, it is terrible.

In a press release provided to Mashable, ElevenLabs described the creative process as a collaboration. "Each contributor produced a fully original track that blends their signature sound with the capabilities of Eleven Music, showcasing new creative possibilities without compromising human artistry." The press release also stated that the artists will maintain "full authorship and commercial rights" to the music.

Minnelli is a beloved EGOT-winning icon, though it's not clear how much involvement she had with the actual production of the track credited to her. The 79-year-old artist has largely stepped away from public life in recent years while dealing with health issues.

A quote from Minnelli is included in the blog post:

I’ve always believed that music is about connection and emotional truth. What interested me here was the idea of using my voice and new tools in service of expression, not instead of it. This project respects the artist’s voice, the artist’s choices, and the artist’s ownership. I grew up watching my parents create wonderful dreams that were owned by other people. ElevenLabs makes it possible for anyone to be a creator and owner. That matters.

What does Eleven Album sound like?

Minnelli is known for her alto singing voice, stage presence, and larger-than-life personality, but the new song "Kids Wait Til You Hear This" sounds absolutely nothing like Minnelli's body of work. I was expecting a Broadway-style showtune, but the track is actually an obnoxiously generic EDM song. It sounds to me like the producers were trying to ape the classic 2010 dance song "Barbra Streisand" by Duck Sauce, but if so, they're way off track.

Other songs, such as "Uno, Dos, Tres" by Kai.wav and "She got that fire" by Kondzilla, are painfully derivative, a common problem with AI-generated music. However, some of the tracks could easily be mistaken for music fully created by human beings. Composer Demitri Lerios has an instrumental song on the album, and if you heard the track in a movie score, you'd likely have no idea it was co-created with generative AI.

Personally, I find AI music to be quite soulless, and the album has done nothing to change that impression. As I said, it's really more of an advertisement than anything else, which undercuts any artistic value it's trying to achieve.

Why do so many artists object to artificial intelligence?

AI in music and the arts remains extremely controversial, and many artists take a hard line against the use of AI in any context. Whenever a company uses generative AI in commercials, music, video games, or filmmaking, it faces fierce backlash from AI critics.

SEE ALSO: Coca-Cola created another AI holiday commercial. Expect a lot more like it.

Many musicians criticize the AI industry for training audio models on copyrighted works without permission or payment. The industry's environmental impact is also a sticking point among critics. Other artists worry that AI technology will take jobs from artists, actors, musicians, and other creative professionals. And on a creative level, some people passionately believe that AI-generated art is an oxymoron in and of itself.

"If you took three meals that were made by really great chefs and you smushed your hands up into all this food and you mashed it all together, and then you sort of treated it like clay and molded something that looked like a chicken breast and put it on a plate — did you cook that? And are you a chef? That’s what it is," Bateman told Mashable.

"People need to stop talking about AI like it’s some independent entity," the filmmaker said. "It is an algorithm made wholly of — 99.9 percent of the time — made wholly out of completely stolen work, that some human is using to try to approximate what they think will sell. Is that art?"

Of course, the backlash (and lawsuits) from artists hasn't stopped major Hollywood studios, music labels, and advertising agencies from embracing AI technology in various forms.

There are also promising use cases for AI audio technology, such as the ability to translate podcasts or music into any language on the planet. As stated previously, ElevenLabs said the album showcased "new creative possibilities without compromising human artistry."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.