This digest compiles the latest from Mashable.
Today’s Mashable Roundup
Make your old PC feel new again with Windows 11 Pro at $9.97
TL;DR: Upgrade to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for $9.97 and give your PC a faster, more secure, and more modern experience at the lowest price ever, ending soon (reg. $199).
Before you start shopping for a new computer, it’s worth trying the simplest fix first: upgrading your operating system. Windows 11 Pro brings modern performance, productivity tools, and security upgrades to existing PCs, and right now it’s available at its lowest price ever.
Give your dusty old PC a serious makeover with a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license. It ushers in a whole new way to use your laptop. Enjoy a seamless interface and brand-new features to streamline your workflow, including a more powerful search experience, improved voice typing, snap layouts, and seamless redocking.
If you’re paying a subscription for an AI model, you can cancel it with this upgrade. Windows 11 Pro puts Copilot right on your desktop, making it your personal AI-powered assistant.
Using your PC as your primary work computer? You’ll appreciate access to tools like Microsoft Teams, Azure HD, Windows Sandbox, and BitLocker device encryption. If you prefer to use your computer for gaming, you’ll love DirectX 12 Ultimate, which delivers incredible graphics that take your games to the next level.
No matter what you do on your computer, you can rest easy knowing Windows 11 Pro offers serious cybersecurity upgrades. You can secure your device with biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection.
Grab a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for just $9.97 (reg. $199) for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Start the New Year saving big with a $25 Sam’s Club membership
TL;DR: Start 2026 strong with a Sam’s Club one-year membership for $25 and save on groceries, gas, travel, and everyday essentials all year long (reg. $50).
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reset your budget and look for easy ways to spend less on everyday essentials. A Sam’s Club membership is one of those rare upgrades that pays off almost immediately — especially when you can get a full year for 50% less than usual.
This discount won’t last forever, so make sure to grab it now before it’s gone forever.
Sam’s Club members usually have a hard time leaving without the entire store in their carts, since they can shop for everything from fresh and frozen groceries to Apple electronics and furniture in one place. You won’t have to hop between multiple stores to get everything on your list anymore. That’s so 2025.
Plus, with bulk-sized goods, you probably won’t have to make as many trips to Sam’s Club as you would with your regular store — that is, if you can handle staying away.
If your cart is full to the brim and the line looks long, there’s no need to stand and wait. With Scan and Go™ on the Sam’s Club app, you can scan your items, show your digital receipt on your way out (everyone has to do this), and be on your way.
Members of Sam’s Club also rave about savings on gas, so don’t forget to fill up your tank on the way home. The club also has a tire and battery center if your car needs more than fuel.
Speaking of members only, you’ll get even more discounts on hotels, car rentals, live events, movies, and more. We think you’ll earn back that $25 membership fee in no time with how much you’re saving on, well, everything.
Don’t miss out on this Sam’s Club membership deal to start the new year on the right foot: $25 for a limited time (reg. $50). No coupon is needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
How to watch Bills vs. Jaguars in the NFL online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Bills vs. Jaguars for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It’s certainly been a dramatic NFL season. With teams such as the mighty Kansas City Chiefs crashing out, missing the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, Wild Card Weekend seems all the more unpredictable.
All eyes are on games such as this one, as the Buffalo Bills, the AFC No. 6 seed, face perennial underdogs and No. 3 seed the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in the second day of postseason action. This could prove one of the most intriguing matchups of the weekend.
Entering their seventh straight playoffs, the Bills have arguably underperformed while the Jaguars had a hugely exciting season under first year coach Liam Coen. Their 13-4 record certainly whipped up excitement for fans. Even as a higher seeded team, the Jaguars are still aiming to prove themselves on the national stage and make a postseason statement.
If you want to watch Bills vs. Jaguars in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here’s all the information you need.
When is Bills vs. Jaguars?
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 11. This fixture will be played at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.
How to watch Bills vs. Jaguars for free
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguar in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.Access free live streams of the NFL 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL
-
Register with TVNZ+
-
Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Bills vs. Jaguars and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 eight simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).
Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
How to watch 49ers vs. Eagles in the NFL online for free
TL;DR: Live stream 49ers vs. Eagles for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It’s one of the big questions of the NFL playoffs as Wild Card Weekend continues: Can the Philadelphia Eagles follow the Kansas City Chiefs and make it two-for-two? In other words, can they win back-to-back Super Bowls? With the Chiefs out of the playoffs picture, the Eagles don’t have their regular Super Bowls rivals to worry about but it’s not a sure thing. It’s been a patchy season for the reigning Super Bowl Champions, particularly on offense.
The Eagles clinched the NFC East title with 11-6 but ended the season with a loss to the Commanders. The No. 3 seed now face the San Francisco 49ers, the No. 6 seed, in the Wild Card Round. The 49ers are always chasing that Quest for Six — that elusive sixth Super Bowl win — but their season has also seen some ups and downs.
That said, San Francisco won more games than the Eagles this season, with a 12-5 record, despite finishing third against tough competition in NFC West. But that’s all in the past. Postseason has kicked off and both the Eagles and 49ers are looking forward, with a spot in the Divisional Rounds in their sights.
If you want to watch 49ers vs. Eagles in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here’s all the information you need.
When is 49ers vs. Eagles?
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles takes place at 4.30 p.m. ET on Jan. 11. This fixture will be played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
How to watch 49ers vs. Eagles for free
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world. Access free live streams of the NFL 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL
-
Register with TVNZ+
-
Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch 49ers vs. Eagles and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 eight simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).
Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
How to watch Chargers vs. Patriots in the NFL online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Chargers vs. Patriots for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Wild Card Weekend continues what has already been something of a wild season. The New England Patriots certainly want to make this a playoffs to remember. At one time in time the Patriots were almost guaranteed to appear in the playoffs, but they now qualify for the first time since 2021, posting an impressive record of 14-3.
As AFC East champions and No. 2 seed, they’ll host the Los Angeles Chargers in this Sunday Night Football playoffs showdown. The Chargers finished runner-up in AFC West, nabbing a Wild Card berth with their 11-6 record.
The Chargers will have their work cut out and will need to rely on their robust defense. The Patriots’ QB Drake Maye has had a superb season and New England are coming off a three-game winning streak. Both teams are sure to give it their all and as they battle for a place in the Divisional Round. All which means this game is one to watch closely.
If you want to watch Chargers vs. Patriots in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here’s all the information you need.
When is Chargers vs. Patriots?
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 11. This fixture will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
How to watch Chargers vs. Patriots for free
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world. Access free live streams of the NFL 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL
-
Register with TVNZ+
-
Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Chargers vs. Patriots and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 eight simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).
Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on January 11
We’re now in the last lunar phase before the New Moon, which means we’re almost at the end of this lunar cycle. The lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, during which the Moon completes a full orbit around Earth and passes through all eight of its phases.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Sunday, Jan. 11, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 42% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.
When you look up tonight, you won’t need any visual aids to see features on the Moon’s surface, with just your naked eye you’ll should be able to see the Aristarchus Plateau, Kepler Crater, and Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars, you’ll also be able to see the Grimaldi Basin, Clavius Crater, and the Mare Humorum. A telescope will help you see even more, including the Apollo 12 landing spot and the Schiller Crater.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3.
What are Moon phases?
NASA explains that the Moon takes about 29.5 days to complete a full orbit, a period known as the lunar cycle. As it moves around Earth, the Moon goes through a series of distinct phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the sunlight hitting it changes depending on its position in orbit. This is why the Moon can appear fully lit, partially lit, or completely dark at different times. The lunar cycle includes eight main phases:
New Moon – The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon – The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous – The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
Hurdle hints and answers for January 11, 2026
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.
Hurdle Word 1 hint
To brush aggressively.
Hurdle Word 1 answer
SCRUB
Hurdle Word 2 hint
Prickly.
Hurdle Word 2 Answer
SPINY
Hurdle Word 3 hint
After six.
Hurdle Word 3 answer
SEVEN
Hurdle Word 4 hint
Cool.
Hurdle Word 4 answer
CHILL
Final Hurdle hint
Where sand meets ocean.
Hurdle Word 5 answer
SHORE
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 11, 2026
Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re a science fanatic.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
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 particle.
Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter Q.
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…
QUARK
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 Strands hints, answers for January 11, 2026
Today’s NYT Strands hints are easy if you’re always positive.
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: Yay!!!
The words are related to positivity.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained
These words describe a positive responses.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?
Today’s NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer today
Today’s spangram is That’s Great.
NYT Strands word list for January 11
-
Hooray
-
Huzzah
-
Yippee
-
That’s Great
-
Whoopee
-
Booyah
-
Awesome
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.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 11, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you ride horses.
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: A gang
-
Green: Deep dive
-
Blue: Found in a bathroom or kitchen
-
Purple: Horse fashion
Here are today’s Connections categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
-
Yellow: Group
-
Green: Plunge
-
Blue: Parts of a sink
-
Purple: Equestrian gear
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 #945 is…
What is the answer to Connections today
-
Group: BAND, CREW, PACK, TEAM
-
Plunge: CRASH, CRATER, DROP, TANK
-
Parts of a sink: BASIN, DRAIN, FAUCET, STOPPER
-
Equestrian gear: BIT, CROP, HALTER, SADDLE
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.
End of today’s Mashable roundup.
