This digest compiles the latest from Mashable.
Today’s Mashable Roundup
CES 2026: TCLs new X11L SQD-Mini LED TV is a flagship that could rival Samsung and LGs Micro RGB
TCL’s TV announcement at CES 2026 doesn’t follow the RGB trend that was expected from the big TV brands. Still, the new flagship TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV could wind up being one of the brightest and most impressive TVs of the year.
This version of mini-LED isn’t the same mini-LED setup that we’ve been seeing from the best TVs in recent years. First announced in China in Sept. 2025, TCL’s SQD technology stands for Super Quantum Dot. Gizmochina explains that SQD utilizes a single-chip pure white light source instead of the true red, green, and blue light sources seen in the Micro RGB TVs debuted by Samsung and LG this CES season.
Credit: TCL
But the goal is the same: to produce ultra-high peak brightness, typically only possible with QLED and mini-LED panels, and pristine black levels and contrast, typically only possible with OLED panels — simultaneously.
Mashable got the chance to preview the new flagship TCL TV ahead of CES 2026, and it’s intensely bright. On top of that, a TCL representative told Mashable they believe this TV will be able to compete head-to-head with the new flagship Micro RGB TVs recently announced by Samsung and LG. The TCL X11L also features a unique speaker strip along the bottom bevel, with Bang & Olufsen audio.
The TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV: The specs
The X11L achieves what TCL calls “100 percent BT2020 color” through 20,000 discrete dimming zones (three times more than the premium TCL QM9K). Past the 10,000 peak nits of brightness, that should provide a ton of opportunity for precise tweaks to lighting during dark scenes that are often a problem area for non-OLED TVs.
Credit: TCL
Credit: TCL
The X11L is also armed with TCL’s enhanced Halo Control System and an anti-reflective layer to mitigate blooming in dark rooms and glare in bright rooms. That boosted glare reduction, in tandem with the “ZeroBorder” bezels and 0.8-inch cabinet, aligns the X11L quite closely with the design of an art TV.
-
Enhanced Halo Control System with Minimized Micro OD, Shadowless Uniform Light Supports, Shadow Detail Optimization & New 26-bit Backlight Controller
-
Up to 20,000 Discrete Dimming Zones
-
Up to 10,000 Peak Nits Brightness (HDR rendering maximum)
-
New TSR AI Processor
-
Dolby Vision 2.0 Max (OTA)
-
Audio by Bang & Olufsen
-
Expandable Home Theater Audio System with Optional Wireless Subwoofer & Dolby FlexConnect 4.1.4 Capability
-
Backlit Voice Remote & Hands-Free Voice Control
-
Gemini for Google TV
-
Sleep Sounds Mode
-
HDMI 2.1 Ports
-
Elegant Cabinet with SuperThin Depth — just 0.8 inches
-
CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel with Wide Color Viewing Angle, Unique ZeroBorder, & Anti-Reflection Layer
-
TCL Deep Color System with Super Quantum Dots, CSOT UltraColor Filter, & Advanced Color Purity Algorithm
Where to buy the TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV
Three sizes are available to pre-order now, though it’s not clear whether smaller models will be available down the line:
-
75-inch TCL X11L: $6,999.99
-
75-inch TCL X11L: $7,999.99
-
98-inch TCL X11L: $9,999.99
Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.
Stranger Things finale may have left a huge clue on the basement bookshelf
After almost a decade, Stranger Things has come to an end — and even though some fans aren’t happy with how things left off, the finale still has plenty of people talking.
One topic that’s dominated social media is the ultimate fate of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Towards the end of the finale the series protagonist appears to sacrifice herself by staying in the Upside-Down while the dimensional bridge to the Abyss is blown to smithereens, eliminating any possibility of the military breeding more children with her telepathic powers and continuing their cruel experiments.
But then, during a final D&D campaign in the very last scene, Mike (Finn Wolfhard) puts forward an alternative theory. What if the image they all saw of El standing in the doorway to the Upside-Down was really just a projection made by Eight/Kali (Linnea Berthelsen)? Could it be that the real El actually made a pact with her fellow Hawkins Lab survivor, managed to slip back into the real world while everyone was distracted, and is now living out her days in another part of the world under a new identity as Mike’s story suggests?
The Duffer Brothers’ show refuses to confirm what really happens — but some fans are speculating that the clues point to El being alive.
What’s the clue on the bookshelf?
One of these clues is on the bookshelf in the Wheeler’s basement at the very end of the episode, where the main gang go and return their D&D campaign binders once and for all. In the episode itself it’s hard to read the titles of the books surrounding the binders — but in one of the behind-the-scenes images posted on Instagram by Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp, we can get a clearer look (swipe through to the final image).
As fans have already pointed out on Reddit, one of the books is The Empty Copper Sea by John D. MacDonald — a 1978 novel about a detective investigating a possible faked death.
It seems highly unlikely this choice by the Stranger Things production team is a coincidence, so could it be another hint that Mike’s theory about El is correct? Maybe. Although if you were being cynical, you could also argue that a grieving Mike may just have spent the past 18 months reading stories about fake deaths while he was working on his own theory about El.
Ultimately, the fate of Eleven is hidden in the minds of the Duffer Brothers, and they’re not giving anything away. Still, we’re choosing to believe.
Stranger Things‘ final season is available to stream now on Netflix.
How to watch Egypt vs. Benin online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
We’re approaching the latter stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with huge matchups on the schedule over the next couple of weeks. The most successful team in the history of the competition, Egypt, face off against Benin for a place in the quarter finals. Can Salah lead his side to a crucial victory?
If you want to watch Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Egypt vs. Benin?
Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 5. This fixture takes place at the Adrar Stadium.
How to watch Egypt vs. Benin for free
Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.
Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Egypt vs. Benin for free by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
-
Visit Channel 4
-
Watch Egypt vs. Benin for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn’t a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Egypt vs. Benin (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Channel 4?
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
-
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
-
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.
The Pokémon TCG Destined Rivals Three Booster Blister is below market value right now at Amazon
BELOW MARKET VALUE: The Pokémon TCG’s Destined Rivals Three Booster Blister is currently $33.03 on Amazon, which is down to market value when compared to TCGplayer listings starting at $37.98.
If you’re as ancient as I am, you’ll remember the magic of the first Pokémania wave hitting the West in the late ’90s. Destined Rivals brings back the nostalgic feel of Pokémon Gold and Silver on the Game Boy Color, alongside the epic Wizards of the Coast era of the Pokémon TCG, specifically Gym Heroes.
Serving as the sixth set in the Pokémon TCG, Gym Heroes introduced Trainer’s Pokémon and breathed new life into the game. Now imagine mixing that with the darker artwork of the fifth Pokémon TCG set, Team Rocket, and reworking it into a modern-era release. Enter Destined Rivals.
Instead of Dark Pokémon this time around, we’re getting Team Rocket Trainer Pokémon (that Team Rocket’s Mewtwo SIR though), alongside appearances from Gold and Silver protagonist Ethan and Diamond and Pearl’s Pokémon League Champion, Cynthia.
Although it’s not the most valuable card in the set, Ethan’s Typhlosion – 190/182 Illustration Rare is a massive highlight for me. Artist GIDORA perfectly captured what was going on in my imagination while playing Pokémon Gold and Silver. It’s such a great feeling when you connect with a piece of art like this, and it’s a central part of my personal collection.
The best chase cards you can pull from Destined Rivals
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company
Ripping booster packs is awesome, but if you’re chasing the higher-end cards, it’s going to cost you. You might get lucky and pull an SIR from a three-pack blister like this one, but the odds are incredibly low. Once I’m done opening a booster box for a set, if I haven’t pulled the card I’m after, I’ll take a look on TCGplayer and see what it’s going for. More often than not, the card you want will be cheaper than buying a couple of booster boxes or a boatload of booster bundles.
Here are the top five Destined Rivals chase cards, including where to buy them and up-to-date market value information so you can make an informed buying decision:
-
Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex – 231/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $401.31
Market price: $413.26
Most recent sale: $321.75 -
Cynthia’s Garchomp ex – 232/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $188
Market price: $193.28
Most recent sale: $192 -
Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex – 230/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $136
Market price: $144.22
Most recent sale: $140.76 -
Team Rocket’s Moltres ex – 229/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $109.32
Market price: $116.81
Most recent sale: $114.31 -
Team Rocket’s Crobat ex – 234/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $62.99
Market price: $66.78
Most recent sale: $62.99
Netflixs The Rip trailer looks like a wild trust exercise
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite as Miami cops for Netflix crime thriller The Rip, joined by a stellar cast including Steven Yeun and Teyana Taylor.
Written and directed by The Grey‘s Joe Carnahan, the film sees the longtime Good Will Hunting pals as part of a drug busting unit who make one hell of a discovery during a raid: a casual $20 million cash stash. Thing is, some of them kind of knew about the treasure thanks to a cheeky tip, which means someone knows they knew. And now someone’s made a direct call to the police threatening the lives of everyone in the stash house. Now, it’s a wild trust exercise between getting out of there alive (and rich) or not.
The Rip cast also includes Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler, so expect this one to be one of Netflix’s early 2026 buzz-prompters.
CES 2026: JBLs new open earbuds lineup gives listeners 5 unique options
The open earbuds market is about to be a lot more crowded.
It wouldn’t be CES without an audio announcement from premium headphones and speakers brand JBL — and this year’s show is no exception. Announced at CES 2026 on Monday, JBL is diving deep into the open-ear headphones market with five new pairs of earbuds across three different lines.
Open earbuds are one of the most popular earbuds trends from the past few years. They use air conduction to transmit sound to your ears and don’t sit directly in your ear canal, allowing you to stay in tune with your environment. The market isn’t nearly as saturated as noise-cancelling earbuds, making it a particularly good time for JBL to really throw its hat in the ring. The brand currently has just one pair of open earbuds available for purchase, so this announcement broadens the options for fans of JBL’s audio technology.
Open earbuds guide: What they are, who should buy them, and why they’re popping up everywhere
First up are two open-ear sports headphones in JBL’s iconic Endurance line, dubbed the Endurance Zone and the Endurance Pace. These models are designed specifically for sports, giving users ways to train in comfort with uncompromising performance while staying aware. Next, the brand is introducing an OpenSound lineup featuring the JBL Sense Pro and JBL Sense Lite, two ear hook-style open earbuds with premium sound and comfort. And finally, the existing Soundgear lineup (which currently only features the Soundgear Sense earbuds) will double with the addition of the Soundgear CLIPS, ear clip-style earbuds that double as a fashion accessory.
JBL Endurance Series
Credit: JBL
Credit: JBL
JBL announced four new additions to its sporty Endurance Series at CES on Monday, including two distinct pairs of open-ear earbuds.
“The Endurance line has always been about performance without limits,” said Carsten Olesen, President, Consumer Audio at HARMAN. “With this next generation, including JBL’s first open-ear sports headphone, we set out to give active listeners the freedom to train, move, and recover with greater awareness and comfort.”
Endurance Zone
The Endurance Zone earbuds utilize JBL OpenSound technology and a secure ear hook design (similar to the brand’s popular Peak earbuds) with adaptable memory wire for a secure, flexible fit. They’re built to power through any weather or workout, with IP68 certification, a rugged design, and 32 hours of battery life. Using the JBL Headphones app, you can even customize the touch controls to suit your needs. The Zones come in white or black with gray and will be available this month on JBL.com for $179.95.
Endurance Zone specs:
-
Ear hook design
-
Dual beamforming mics on each bud for four total mics
-
Bluetooth 5.3
-
IP68 Certified
-
Multipoint Connection + Fast Pair enabled by Google
-
Battery life up to 32 hours of playtime (eight hours in the earbuds and another 24 hours in the case)
-
Speed charge provides three hours in 10 minutes
-
Google Finder and Google Audio Switch
-
Lanyard hole on the case for convenient carry
-
Personalization via the JBL Headphones app
Endurance Pace
The Pace open earbuds feature an even more secure fit for vigorous workouts, thanks to a titanium memory wire neckband that can bend and flex without ever losing its shape. Like the Zone earbuds, they’re also IP68-rated for waterproof and sweatproof protection. The OpenSound technology ensures your music hits hard with directional audio and powerful bass, while still keeping you in touch with your surroundings. The battery life is pretty solid at 10 hours, but a 10-minute Speed Charge gives you an extra four hours should you need it. The Endurance Pace open earbuds come in just one color (black) and will be available on JBL.com this month for $89.95.
Endurance Pace specs:
-
JBL OpenSound technology
-
Neckband design
-
Two mics with beamforming algorithm for crystal clear calls
-
Bluetooth 5.4
-
IP68 Certified
-
Multipoint Connection + Fast Pair enabled by Google
-
Battery life up to 10 hours for music and eight hours for calls
-
Speed charge provides four hours in 10 minutes
-
Google Finder and Google Audio Switch
-
Personalization via the JBL Headphones app
JBL OpenSound Series
Credit: JBL
Credit: JBL
The new OpenSound Series is JBL’s audio-first open earbuds line, featuring the Sense Pro and Sense Lite. Both pairs focus on maintaining high-quality audio that doesn’t obstruct the ear canal.
“We’ve harnessed our deep audio expertise to deliver a full, bass-rich sound through air conduction, something previously unheard of in open-ear designs,” Olesen said of the new Sense Pro and Sense Lite earbuds.
Sense Pro
The top-of-the-line open-ear headphones in JBL’s lineup, the Sense Pros are built for audiophiles who still want to remain in tune with the outside world. They utilize advanced air conduction technology and an Adaptive Bass Boost Algorithm for premium sound quality through 16.2mm drivers. They’re also built for busy lifestyles and incorporate four microphones as well as JBL Voice Pickup Sensor technology for clear calls in noisy places. Other perks include spatial sound, wireless charging, and up to 38 hours of battery life. The JBL Sense Pro will be available in black or white for $199.95 in March 2026.
Sense Pro specs:
-
JBL Open Sound Technology and Spatial Sound
-
Hi-Res Audio Wireless with Adaptive Bass Boost
-
Four mics for crisp, clear calls
-
JBL Voice Pickup Sensor Technology
-
Adjustable ear hook for all-day comfort
-
Bluetooth 6.0
-
Dual Connect + Fast Pair enabled by Google
-
Up to 38 hours of playtime (Earbuds: eight hours; Case: 30 hours) with Speed Charge (10 minutes equals four hours)
-
Wireless charging
-
Personi-Fi 3.0
-
Touch control with customization via the JBL app
Sense Lite
Essentially a pared-down version of the Sense Pros, the Sense Lites offer simplified aesthetics and features. You’ll still get Adaptive Bass Boost for powerful sound in a sleek, comfortable design that won’t obstruct your ear canals, as well as four mics for crisp calls and customizable touch controls. The battery life is about the same, but the case holds just slightly less of a charge at 24 hours versus 30. With the pared-down features, you’ll also pay $50 less. The JBL Sense Lite will be available in black, white, or purple for $149.95 in March 2026.
Sense Lite specs:
-
JBL Open Sound Technology
-
Four mics for crisp, clear calls
-
IP54 water and dust resistant
-
Adjustable ear hook featuring a lightweight silicone design with memory wire
-
Bluetooth 5.4
-
Dual Connect + Fast Pair enabled by Google
-
Up to 32 hours of playtime (Earbuds: eight hours; Case: 24 hours) with Speed Charge (10 minutes equals three hours)
-
Touch control with customization via the JBL app
JBL Soundgear CLIPS
Credit: JBL
Credit: JBL
Last, but not least — my personal favorite in the new lineup — are the Soundgear CLIPS, which join the existing Sense earbuds in the Soundgear series. The most fashion-forward of the bunch, the CLIPS feature a lightweight design that clips to your ear like an earring cuff (similar to the Shokz OpenDots One). Plus, they come in four translucent colors. Their SonicArc shape positions the speaker for enhanced bass performance with less sound leakage, meaning your calls and tunes will remain private. Paired with the Adaptive Bass Boost algorithm and four AI-enhanced mics, you’ll forget the Soundgear CLIPS aren’t actually in your ear canals. JBL Soundgear CLIPS will be available in metallic copper, blue, purple, and white colorways for $149.95 in March 2026.
Soundgear CLIPS specs:
-
Air conduction powered by JBL OpenSound with enhanced bass and listening privacy
-
Bass Boost algorithm for enhanced dynamic sound
-
Soft TPU with flexible arc shape that clips onto the ear
-
Four mics with AI algorithm for crisp, clear calls
-
Up to 32 hours of playtime (Earbuds: eight hours; Case: 24 hours) with Speed Charge (10 minutes equals three hours)
-
IP54 water and dust resistant
-
Touch control with customization via JBL app
CES 2026 live updates: The latest news, surprises, strange tech, and more
The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the biggest tech showcase in the world, and Mashable reporters are on the ground reporting live from the event all week long.
Every year at CES, tech giants like Samsung, LG, Sony, and Lenovo preview their latest innovations, as well as futuristic concept products unlike anything you’ll find in stores. CES is also a hub for ambitious startups, electric vehicle brands, and robotics companies. You never know what bizarre new gadgets (or laundry-folding robots) you’ll find on the convention floor.
As part of the CNET Group, Mashable reporters will help select the winners for the official Best of CES 2026 Awards, so follow along as we cover the event in real-time. Keep checking back as we provide live updates, photos, and videos directly from the show floor.
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It feels like we’re inundated with tennis tournaments over the summer months, and then nothing. After the US Open, tennis fans have a painful wait for the next Grand Slam. Well that wait is almost over. The 2026 Australian Open looms on the horizon, promising epic contests between the best players in the world.
If you want to watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the Australian Open?
The Australian Open is a tennis tournament held annually at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. It’s the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held each year, followed by the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
The current singles champions are Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys.
When is the 2026 Australian Open?
The 2026 Australian Open is the 114th edition of the tournament. This year’s event will take place from Jan. 12 to Feb. 1.
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open for free
The 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.
9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
-
Visit 9Now
-
Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Australian Open before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for 9Now?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 9Now, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries including Australia
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
-
Fast connection speeds
-
Up to eight simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Pokémon TCG Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Premium Collection is below market value at Amazon
BELOW MARKET VALUE: The Pokémon TCG Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Premium Collection is currently $54.44 on Amazon, which is down to market value when compared to TCGplayer listings starting at $57.73.
Destined Rivals is the best-looking set to collect in the Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet era, and there are two booster packs in this Premium Collection. There are also four Journey Together booster packs, which have some nice cards, but they’re nothing compared to Destined Rivals for me.
My favourite chase card from Destined Rivals is Ethan’s Typhlosion – 190/182. The artist for this Illustration Rare, GIDORA, absolutely nailed the Ethan and Typhlosion partner Pokémon vibe here.
But this Premium Collection is all about Cynthia’s Garchomp, featuring an Ultra Rare alt art of the ex card with an attack-pose Garchomp, turquoise line work, and a brown-and-gold silhouette of Cynthia in the background. It’s a lovely card and also comes with promo cards for its evolution line (Cynthia’s Gible and Cynthia’s Gabite).
The best chase cards you can pull from Destined Rivals
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company
If you’re buying Premium ex Collection boxes to find the top chase cards from a set, you’ll be spending a lot of money for very low odds. You’ll most likely save more money in the long run by just buying the chase card you want outright. Here are the top five Destined Rivals chase cards, including Cynthia’s Garchomp SIR, with links to buy them now alongside current market value information:
-
Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex – 231/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $401.31
Market price: $413.26
Most recent sale: $321.75 -
Cynthia’s Garchomp ex – 232/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $188
Market price: $193.28
Most recent sale: $192 -
Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex – 230/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $136
Market price: $144.22
Most recent sale: $140.76 -
Team Rocket’s Moltres ex – 229/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $109.32
Market price: $116.81
Most recent sale: $114.31 -
Team Rocket’s Crobat ex – 234/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $62.99
Market price: $66.78
Most recent sale: $62.99
The Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet is over $10 off at Amazon
SAVE OVER $10: As of Jan. 5, the Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet (10313) has been marked down to $47.98 at Amazon. This is 20% off its list price of $59.99.
If you’re on the hunt for a little something to brighten up your home this January, look no further than the Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet (10313). This colorful Lego set is a great way to add a pop of color into your life during these winter months, and the good news is it’s even on sale right now at Amazon.
The Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet is usually available to buy for $59.99, but it’s currently marked down to $47.98 at the retailer. What’s more is this 20% discount is only a few cents away from its lowest-ever price of $47.95, making now as good a time as any to add it for your collection.
This set is bursting with a brightly colored arrangement that’ll keep you thinking of the warmer weather to come in the months ahead. Containing 939 pieces, the Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet features eight species of wildflowers to be pieced together — cornflowers, lavender, Welsh poppies, cow parsley, leatherleaf ferns, gerbera daisies, larkspur, and lupins — alongside 16 individual stems to put them on so you can keep them on display. Keep in mind it’s angled towards adults 18 and over, so is a more complicated project than a kids Lego set.
Start the new year off right with a new Lego set to work on. Don’t miss out on 20% off the Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet (10313) at Amazon. And if you’re on the hunt for even more sets to start out the year, check out our 15 favorite Lego sets to see some of our top picks.
The Magic: The Gathering Commander Masters Set Booster Box is now over $50 below market value on Amazon
BELOW MARKET VALUE: As of Jan. 5, the Magic: The Gathering Commander Masters Set Booster Box is $492.13 at Amazon, compared to TCGplayer’s price of $548.67.
Originally released in August 2023, Commander Masters surprisingly focuses on the Commander play format in Magic: The Gathering. It’s the most popular multiplayer format, and this set isn’t just about the awesome reprints; there are some killer staple Commander cards in this set that belong in your deck.
You can look forward to Borderless, Frame Break, and Borderless Profile cards in this booster box, although the “new” cards are exclusive to the pre-built Commander Decks. Not to worry, though — the real meat and potatoes of this set are found in the boosters.
You’ll get 24 booster packs, with each one containing 15 cards, specifically:
-
1 art card
-
1 token card or 1 card from “The List” (25% chance)
-
2-6 Rare or higher cards
-
At least 1 Traditional Foil card
-
10% chance for a Foil Stamped Signature Art Card
-
1% chance to pull a Borderless Mythic Rare card
Most valuable Magic: The Gathering Commander Masters cards
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Wizards of the Coast
If you’re after the top-tier Commander Masters cards for your collection, it’s not cheap. But with just a 1% chance of pulling these bangers, it’s going to save you money in the long term to simply buy the single cards you’re after. Here are the top five Commander Masters chase cards, with links to buy them now alongside up-to-date market value information:
-
Jeweled Lotus (Textured Foil) #1066
Near Mint Holofoil: $417.29
Market price: $350.60
Most recent sale: $360.93 -
The Ur-Dragon (Textured Foil) #1065
Near Mint Holofoil: $117.03
Market price: $115.98
Most recent sale: $116.50 -
Fierce Guardianship (Foil Etched) #489
Near Mint Holofoil: $103.68
Market price: $103.93
Most recent sale: $101.65 -
Deflecting Swat (Foil Etched) #532
Near Mint Holofoil: $128.95
Market price: $101.62
Most recent sale: $109.99 -
The Great Henge (Foil Etched) #562
Near Mint Holofoil: $96.65
Market price: $83.56
Most recent sale: $79.99
Get $20 off the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds at Amazon
SAVE $20: As of Jan. 5, the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds are down to $29.95 at Amazon. That’s $20 off their list price of $49.95.
It’s always nice to have a solid pair of earbuds to take into a new year, especially if you have some travel plans in the months ahead. Thankfully, Amazon still has some deals leftover after the holidays. If you’re not looking to drop a ton of cash, the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds are a more budget-friendly option that are currently marked down 40% for a limited time.
This discount has brought the price of the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds down from $49.95 to $29.95, allowing you to keep $20. Our review said they’re “a decent pair of earbuds with impressive battery life and a comfy fit,” so why not pick them up now while they’re still on sale?
The JBL Vibe Beam battery life is truly impressive indeed, boasting up to 32 hours with the help of the recharging case. That’s plenty of time to keep you busy on the next trip you have planned. They’re even water and dust resistant. So no matter where your journeys take you in 2026, these earbuds will hold up.
When it comes to sound quality, our review from RJ Andersen did note that these earbuds “left us wanting more.” But given the price point, they offer “decent sound quality on a budget” and Andersen even states that they “work well for casual listening.”
There’s likely not much time left to take advantage of this limited-time offer. Don’t wait to save $20 on the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds at Amazon. Alternatively, if you want to peruse more budget-friendly options, have a look at our breakdown of the best budget earbuds for some of our top picks.
Save over $400 on the Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop at Amazon
SAVE OVER $400: As of Jan. 5, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop has dropped to $494.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you $405 on its list price of $899.99.
It’s a brand new year, and if you’ve been looking to give your house a fresh clean to start 2026 off right, a robot vacuum can help you out. Thankfully, Amazon still has some post-holiday deals worth exploring, including over $400 off the Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop.
The Eufy X10 Pro Omni is usually listed for $899.99, but it’s currently on sale for $494.99 for a limited time at Amazon. This saves you 45%, which is well worth taking advantage of as a little new year treat. It even ranks among our list of the best robot vacuums, so why wait to grab it? The deal may not last much longer.
It’s a robot vacuum that’s worth the investment, too. For us, it’s the best budget pick with self-washing and drying mopping pads, with Mashable’s Leah Stodart saying it’s “a stellar find for shoppers who can spend more than a few hundred bucks but who still draw the line at $1,000.” It features 8,000 Pa suction to scoop up any dirt and debris stuck in your carpets, alongside MopMaster 2.0 Technology that makes sure any stains on harder surfaces are wiped clean.
On top of that, it also comes with advanced obstacle avoidance that allows it to smartly detect any objects in its way, so it can get a deep clean without running into anything that may knock it off course.
The clock is ticking to save on this sleek robot vacuum. Act fast to score 45% off the Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop at Amazon. And if you’re looking for more top picks worth buying, our roundup of the best robot vacuums highlights even more worth looking at.
The Apple AirTag 4-pack is back on sale at Amazon — save over $30 right now
SAVE $34.02: As of Jan. 5, the Apple AirTag four-pack is on sale for $64.98 at Amazon. That’s a 34% discount on the list price.
If your new year’s resolution is to stop losing your most important items (keys, phone, wallet), you need to check out this latest Amazon deal on the Apple AirTag four-pack. AirTags are Apple’s solution for anyone who constantly loses their stuff. They attach to whatever item you deem necessary, and can then be tracked through the FindMy app on your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook.
And as of Jan. 5, the four-pack bundle is down to just $64.98, which works out at just over $16 per tag. That’s a saving of over $34 in total.
Each AirTag has a built-in speaker, so if you have tracked the location but still can’t see it, you can make it play a noise to help you find it. And for items further away (think lost luggage at an airport), the Find My network, which is made up of hundreds of millions of Apple devices, can help locate them. You can even put an AirTag into Lost Mode to be notified if it’s detected, or even share its location with a third party, like an airline.
Pick up this AirTag deal from Amazon now.
The Anker Solix C1000 power station is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save over $200
SAVE OVER $200: As of Jan. 5, the Anker Solix C1000 is on sale for $397 at Amazon. That’s a 28% discount on the list price.
The Anker Solix C1000 is back on sale at Amazon, so if you’ve been wanting to upgrade your portable power station, now’s a good time to do so. As of Jan. 5, this model is back at its lowest-ever price. It’s down to $397, saving you $202 on list price.
This is a powerful unit, and it’s an ideal option for home backup, power cuts, and even camping vacations. It uses a long-life LiFePO4 battery designed to last for years (so you get your money’s worth), and it has enough output to run most household appliances through a mix of ports that include AC outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a car charging port. It is also compatible with solar charging.
This model is also smaller than many similar 1kWh units, so it’s easy to carry around with you on vacation, or move around your home easily. And it’s nice and easy to control too, with everything monitored from the Anker app. Here you can check things like the charging speeds and usage.
Pick up this portable power station deal from Amazon now.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are down to their lowest-ever price at Amazon — save $70
SAVE $70: As of Jan 5, the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are on sale for $109.95 at Amazon. That’s a 39% saving on the list price.
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to upgrade your running headphones, we’ve found the perfect opportunity at Amazon: the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are down to their lowest-ever price. As of Jan. 5, you can save $70 with the new price of $109.95. This is a new low price for 2026, and a hefty drop from its previous price.
Bone conducting headphones offer a sound technology that keeps you alert and safe on your runs. They work by sending sound as vibrations through the cheekbones directly to the inner ear, instead of through the ear canal. This leaves your ears open, so you can hear your music or podcasts while still being aware of your surroundings.
And because these are made with running in mind, they will sit comfortably and securely, even during intense workouts. They also have a lightweight wraparound titanium frame to help keep them in place. The sound quality is impressive too, and you’ll get strong volume and bass.
The battery life is ideal for runs up to 10 hours, whether you’re listening to music, on a call, or tuned into a podcast. And if you’re heading out the door and realize you forgot to charge, just give them a quick five-minute charge to get up to 1.5 hours of listening time.
Pick up this Shokz deal at Amazon now.
Save $70 on Beats Solo 4 headphones at Amazon
SAVE $70: As of Jan. 5, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $129.95 at Amazon. That’s a 35% discount on the list price.
If you want to kick off the new year with great sound, check out this latest Amazon deal on the Beats Solo 4. Currently $70 off, you’ll be getting a premium pair of headphones available in a wide range of colors, including black and gold, cloud pink, matte black, metallic pink, and slate blue.
The headphones use a custom acoustic design with updated drivers for a strong, balanced Beats sound. They also boast support for personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. They’re lightweight and designed to be worn all day, with a flex-grip headband, angled adjustable ear cups, and UltraPlush cushions, so they’re comfortable as well as functional.
The battery life promises to last up to 50 hours, and the Fast Fuel feature will give you around five hours of listening from a 10-minute charge. You can listen to high-resolution lossless audio via USB-C or a 3.5 mm cable, and they work easily with both iOS and Android thanks to one-touch pairing.
And as of Jan. 5, they are down to just $129.95. Get this headphones deal from Amazon now.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 5, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you’re a social media addict.
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.
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.
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: Done on Instagram
-
Green: The edge
-
Blue: Museum subjects
-
Purple: A single letter
Here are today’s Connections categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
-
Yellow: Things you can do on social media
-
Green: Furthest point
-
Blue: Art movements with “-ism”
-
Purple: What “V” might mean
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 #939 is…
What is the answer to Connections today
-
Things you can do on social media: COMMENT, LIKE, LURK, POST
-
Furthest point: END, EXTREME, OPPOSITE, POLE
-
Art movements with “-ism”: BRUTAL, IMPRESSION, MANNER, REAL
-
What “V” might mean: FIVE, VERSUS, VERY, VOLT
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.
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 yesterday’s Connections.
NYT Strands hints, answers for January 5, 2026
Today’s NYT Strands hints are easy if you don’t waste time.
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.
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.
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Slapped together
The words are related to pace.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained
These words describe fast-pased terms.
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 Quick and Dirty.
NYT Strands word list for January 5
-
Brisk
-
Swift
-
Speedy
-
Quick and Dirty
-
Grubby
-
Filthy
-
Stained
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 yesterday’s Strands.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 5, 2026
Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re an equestrian.
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.
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.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
A young horse.
Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
The letter L appears twice.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter F.
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…
FILLY
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.
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 yesterday’s Wordle.
NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for January 5, 2026
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.
Here are the clues and answers to NYT’s The Mini for Monday, Jan. 5, 2026:
Across
“Now I get it!”
-
The answer is Aha.
Benoit ___, detective in the “Knives Out” films
-
The answer is Blanc.
Give one’s two cents
-
The answer is Opine.
Time difference between the East and West Coast, in hours
-
The answer is Three.
Pirate’s assent
-
The answer is Aye.
Down
Generation after Gen Z
-
The answer is Alpha.
In need of a shave
-
The answer is Hairy.
“Bonne ___!” (“Happy New Year!,” in French)
-
The answer is Annee.
Many a social media antagonist, sadly
-
The answer is Bot.
First in “class”?
-
The answer is Cee.
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 yesterday’s Mini Crossword.
Jimmy Kimmel gives Trump a special thanks during Critics Choice Awards speech
Jimmy Kimmel picked up the prize for best talk show at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, and he made sure to pay tribute to one of the many people that’s made it all possible: Donald Trump.
“FIFA Peace Prize would have been better, but this is nice too,” said Kimmel as he took to the stage, making reference to the controversial award given to the U.S. president by football’s governing body.
“Thanks to all the writers and actors and producers and union members, many of who are in this room, who supported us, who really stepped forward for us, and reminded us that we do not take free speech for granted in this city or in this country. Your actions were important, and we appreciate them. And most of all I want to thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump — without whom we would be going home empty-handed tonight,” Kimmel continued.
“So thank you, Mr President, for all the many ridiculous things you do each and every day. It’s been a banner couple of weeks and we can’t wait to get back on the air tomorrow night to talk about them.”
Kimmel’s speech makes reference to the many people in the entertainment industry, including fellow late show hosts like Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver, who came to his defence after ABC’s parent company Disney suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Sept. 2025. The decision was made following a threat from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr’s to punish ABC over comments made by Kimmel during a monologue following the killing of far-right commentator Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel’s show was reinstated less than a week later, with the host’s return monologue becoming the most-watched on his YouTube channel.
We’ve rounded up the full list of winners at the Critics Choice Awards on Mashable.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 5, 2026
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know baseball.
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.
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.
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: Striking options
-
Green: Missing the same letter
-
Blue: Same team
-
Purple: Same second word
Here are today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
-
Yellow: Golf shots
-
Green: Basketball stats in singular form
-
Blue: New York Mets retired numbers
-
Purple: ____ block
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 #469 is…
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
-
Golf shots – APPROACH, CHIP, DRIVE, PUTT
-
Basketball stats in singular form – BLOCK, FOUL, POINT, TURNOVER
-
New York Mets retired numbers – PIAZZA, STENGEL, STRAWBERRY, WRIGHT
-
____ block – CHOP, PANCAKE, PASS, RUN
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.
NYT Pips hints, answers for January 5, 2026
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.
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.
Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 5 Pips
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.
Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.
Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 5 Pips
Number (1): Everything in this purple space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.
Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.
Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.
Equal (0): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.
Number (10): Everything in this green space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.
Equal (6): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.
Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 5 Pips
Number (11): Everything in this purple space must add up to 11. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically.
Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.
Number (11): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (5): Everything in this yellow space must be greater than 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Equal (2): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.
Number (11): Everything in this lower light blue space must add up to 11. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, 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.
CES 2026: Gaming trends to expect at the show
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) isn’t a gaming showcase, but gamers should pay attention, anyway.
CES 2026 kicks off this week, running Jan. 6 to 9, meaning all the biggest tech brands in the world have converged on Las Vegas to show off their wares. For people who love video games, CES is less a chance to see up and coming titles from big publishers and more a way to find out about upcoming video game hardware, specifically in the PC space. In other words, don’t expect to hear much from Nintendo, PlayStation, or Xbox directly, even taking into account that parent companies like Sony and Microsoft will have some presence at the show.
Still, that doesn’t mean gamers should tune out CES entirely. Here are some gaming trends you can expect to hear about at CES 2026.
Gaming laptops galore, but how much will they cost?
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Gaming-focused laptops are always on display at CES, and this year shouldn’t be an outlier in that regard. We know that manufacturers like Razer and Asus will be at the show in one way or another, so don’t be surprised to see powerful new laptops from them at CES.
In terms of what has come out ahead of the event, we do know that Asus is reportedly working on a new dual-screen gaming laptop because the company all but announced it on X in December. This appears to be a rework of the ROG Zephyrus Duo laptop from a few years ago. Asus hasn’t touched it since 2023, so maybe a redesign is in order. Don’t be shocked to see that at CES.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Beyond that, Lenovo is said to have a gaming laptop with a horizontal rollable display in the works, which could very well end up at CES this year. Lenovo has experimented with rollable displays in its non-gaming laptops before, but this one supposedly has Legion branding, which is what Lenovo uses for gaming devices. The display supposedly has a 21:9 aspect ratio when fully unrolled and an Intel core processor of some kind.
Speaking of Intel, the company has already confirmed that it will show off its new Panther Lake CPUs at CES. It’s totally possible (though not certain) that we will see some powerful gaming laptops with these inside of them. The same goes for AMD, which is holding a keynote on Monday. We could see some devices with its powerful new Ryzen CPU built in, too.
The only problem with all of this is that widespread memory shortages due to the proliferation of AI data centers has made computer components enormously expensive. This has implications for both console and PC gaming, and it will be worth watching at CES for which gaming laptops have prices attached to them and which ones do not. Will companies jack prices up, or stick with lower specs to keep prices down? We’ll have to wait and see.
Updates to handheld gaming PCs, perhaps
Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable
All of these new chips could potentially find their way into handheld gaming PCs, as well. We know that Lenovo has a new Legion Go with SteamOS built in for anyone who doesn’t want to use Windows anymore, so that could show up at CES.
This is still a growing and emerging market category, and it seems ripe for more devices beyond the Legion Go 2 to appear at CES. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for these as we explore the show floor.
Flashy new gaming monitors
Credit: Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images
Monitors are kind of the unsung heroes of any gaming PC build. Fortunately, they aren’t forgotten at CES.
As usual, expect to see monitors with higher resolutions and refresh rates than you’re used to seeing. Back in December, Philips announced a 1440p monitor with a blazing fast 500Hz refresh rate. That’s wild in its own right, but it also reportedly has 1080p/1000Hz modes, too. Those are big numbers! It will definitely be worth checking those out if they appear at CES, which seems likely given the timing of the announcement.
Aside from that, Chinese monitor company HKC announced an RGB mini LED monitor recently, too. Rather than focusing on higher refresh rates, the idea here is to achieve better color accuracy through the use of RGB technology. Don’t think they’re skimping on the other specs, though, as this monitor evidently will run at 4K with a 165Hz refresh rate. That’s no slouch.
Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.
How to watch Nigeria vs. Mozambique online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Nigeria vs. Mozambique in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations continues with Nigeria vs. Mozambique. All eyes will be on Nigeria as they look to put the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 World Cup behind them. They have the talent, but can they put it all together on the pitch?
If you want to watch Nigeria vs. Mozambique in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Nigeria vs. Mozambique?
Nigeria vs. Mozambique in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Jan. 5. This fixture takes place at the Fez Stadium.
How to watch Nigeria vs. Mozambique for free
Nigeria vs. Mozambique in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.
Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Nigeria vs. Mozambique for free by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
-
Visit Channel 4
-
Watch Nigeria vs. Mozambique for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn’t a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Nigeria vs. Mozambique (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Channel 4?
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
-
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
-
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch Nigeria vs. Mozambique in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations online for free
TL;DR: Watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
There is quite simply no tournament like the Africa Cup of Nations. It’s an electric combination of heated rivalries, colorful fans, and flair that is sometimes lacking from elite competitions. We know that the eyes of the footballing world are already fixed on the 2026 World Cup, but this incredible tournament should whet the appetite of fans before the main event next summer.
The likes of Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mane, Bryan Mbuemo, and Victor Osimhen will be taking center stage in Morocco. We’re expecting some scintillating football from the best of the best.
If you’re interested in watching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we’ve got all the information you need.
What is the Africa Cup of Nations?
The Africa Cup of Nations (or AFCON) is the main biennial international men’s association football competition in Africa. 24 teams are drawn into six groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the knockout rounds.
The defending champion is Ivory Coast. Egypt is the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, winning seven times and securing three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
When is the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is the 35th edition of the competition. This year’s event takes place from Dec. 21 to Jan. 18 in Morocco.
How to watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.
Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free by following these simple steps:
-
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
-
Connect to Channel 4
-
Watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch AFCON without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you’ll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Channel 4?
ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like Channel 4, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
-
Fast connection speeds
-
Up to eight simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95.
Live stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.
Was 2016 the last good year?
There was something undeniably weird about 2016. Not weird in the charming, “remember Vine?” sense, but weird in the way history feels right before it tips over.
It marked a slow descent into collective unease, beginning with the surreal recapture of El Chapo, winding through celebrity deaths and the mainstreaming of one particular cartoon frog, and finally cratering with the presidential election of reality TV star Donald Trump. At the time, many outlets openly wondered whether 2016 was the worst year ever.
And yet, for a certain slice of Gen Z, 2016 wasn’t the beginning of the end. It was the last good summer of our lives. According to GWI, 42 percent of Gen Z respondents report feeling nostalgic for the 2010s — a sentiment especially visible on TikTok, where obsession with 2016 has become its own trend.
It’s not surprising, as nostalgia is an inevitable part of life. People are already talking about how “good we had it” in 2020, even though, by some crucial metrics, that year was even worse. But for older Gen Z, 2016 — more specifically, the summer of 2016 — hits a particular part of the brain. For many of us, it was the last time we were allowed to be kids.
It was the year I graduated high school. Senior prom. My first election. The last time I saw my dad. And, inexplicably, the one brief week when I genuinely cared about Pokémon.
As Tess May writes for Rowdy, maybe it’s a longing for a time before — when the internet meant Vine, Harambe memes, Snapchat dog ears, and rainbow filters. “It’s Gen Z saying, ‘We want the internet to feel human again,'” May writes.
Part of what makes 2016 nostalgia so sticky is how thoroughly it’s been repackaged by platforms. On TikTok alone, “2016 vibes” has become its own aesthetic: filters that blur the present just enough to resemble memory, POV videos about being a teenager again, and rankings of songs that somehow sound better when they’re stripped of everything that came after.
As one breakdown of the trend notes, it’s not a coincidence that so many people are yearning for the internet before it became fully algorithmic, before every post felt like it was auditioning for engagement.
That yearning isn’t really about the year itself. It’s about what life felt like before everything became so performative and optimized; before being online meant building a brand; before politics consumed every feed; and before the future felt permanently foreclosed. In that sense, 2016 becomes a stand-in for a broader desire. A time when things still felt lighter, even if that lightness was more a product of youth than reality.
The danger, of course, is that nostalgia flattens history. As The New Republic points out, Gen Z’s longing often isn’t for a time they remember clearly, but for a version of the past they never truly experienced. That impulse can drift beyond culture and into politics, turning “things were better back then” into something more reactionary, even if it starts from a place of exhaustion rather than ideology.
Still, it’s hard to ignore why this impulse exists at all. Gen Z came of age through financial crises, mass shootings, climate anxiety, a pandemic, and now a political landscape that feels permanently stuck in reruns. Compared to that, 2016 feels like the last moment before the feed refreshed and never stopped loading. Maybe it really was the last good summer. Or maybe it was just the last time we didn’t yet know how bad things were going to get.
Either way, the nostalgia says more about now than it does about 2016. And until the present feels livable again, we’ll probably keep looking backward, scrolling through a year that felt human enough to miss. Maybe in 2036, Mashable’s Gen Alpha reporter will write about how 2026 was the last good year.
Own Microsoft’s project management tools for just $9.97
TL;DR: If you want to stay organized, plan smarter, and manage projects like a pro, Microsoft Project Pro 2021 is now just $9.97 for lifetime access.
So many of us start the new year off with big plans. If one of your goals is to feel a little more on top of everything — your work, your personal projects, your side hustles — Microsoft Project 2021 Professional is one of those tools that quietly makes a huge difference.
And because this lifetime license is only $9.97 (reg. $249.99), it’s an easy upgrade for anyone looking to be more productive without investing in something complicated or expensive.
Project 2021 is designed to help you manage tasks the way any real project manager would: clearly, efficiently, and without the guesswork. Whether you’re coordinating a home remodel, tracking deliverables at work, or juggling multiple deadlines, the software gives you structure and visibility.
Pre-built templates make getting started easy, while automated scheduling tools handle dependencies, timelines, and resource allocation for you.
One of the standout features is its ability to generate clean, visual timelines. If you’ve ever struggled to explain a project’s scope in an email, this alone is worth the download.
Built-in reporting tools also help you spot bottlenecks, compare scenarios, and adjust your workload before things get overwhelming. You can even sync with Project Online or Project Server if your workplace uses them.
Because this is a lifetime license, you pay once, install it on your Windows PC, and you’re set — at home or at work.
If you’re ready to better organize your responsibilities, this is one of the simplest, most affordable ways to do so. Get lifetime access to Microsoft Project 2021 Professional while it’s just $9.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
CES 2026: This portable device will test meals for allergens in minutes
For people with food sensitivities, dining out can be a hassle at best and dangerous at worst. But soon, a new portable gadget the size of a mass-market paperback could allow you to quickly test meals for allergens and gluten at the table.
At the CES 2026 Unveiled press event on Sunday, French startup Allergen Alert debuted its mini lab, a battery-operated device that “automates and miniaturizes every step of a professional analytical test.” The version of the product I saw on the showroom floor wasn’t market-ready, but its final form will use a small portion of food that’s scooped into a single-use pouch to test for gluten and popular allergens, providing near-instant results.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
The mini lab will allow users with allergies or celiac disease to self-screen their meals instead of just trusting restaurants to keep triggering ingredients off their plates, lessening the risk of a potentially deadly accidental exposure.
Allergen Alert CEO and founder Bénédicte Astier came up with the idea for the mini lab as her daughter recovered from anaphylaxis triggered by a dairy allergy. “I experienced what too many families know all too well: the fear that life can change because of a single meal,” she said in a press statement. “I realized we needed an extra safety belt; a way to test food anywhere, at any moment. Something concrete, reliable, and immediate that gives back control to people with allergies and those who care for them.”
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Astie made the mini lab a reality as part of an intrapreneurial program at biological diagnostics company bioMérieux, her former employer.
Allergen Alert finished a €3.6 million ($4.23 million) fundraising round in October and plans to launch the mini lab in the second half of 2026. The device itself will cost around $200 and its testing pouches will be supplied in packs of five to seven as part of a monthly subscription. Each pouch can only test for one allergen at a time, but a company rep told me that it might eventually support multiple allergens per test if it becomes a frequent user request.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
According to that same rep, the mini lab I saw on the CES Unveiled showroom floor was a nearly finalized prototype. Its technology is ready to go, but the exterior design is still getting polished.
Anyone familiar with the Theranos saga has the right to be skeptical of a device that promises fast lab-grade results in a non-lab setting, but Allergen Alert’s team assured me that it does indeed work. We’ll find out for sure when it launches later this year.
Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.
End of today’s Mashable roundup.
