Mashable

True Detective has always been a show full of strange symbols and half-hidden clues, and it looks like Night Country will be no exception.

Putting aside the spirals and the Lost-style polar bear sightings, though, there's that Billie Eilish-backed opening sequence. As always with Nic Pizzolatto's show, the opener features a jumble of imagery that's relevant to the series, this time themed around an appropriately dark and snowy drive along a rural road as Eilish's 2019 atmospheric hit "bury a friend" plays.

SEE ALSO: 'True Detective: Night Country' review: A can't-miss mystery with ghostly bite

So, while we're thinking over our post-ep burning questions, let's break down those images. What glimpses do we get in those 90 seconds, and how might they be relevant to the story?

True Detective: Night Country's opening sequence: Possible clues

A full bathtub.

This is the first thing we see at the side of that snowy road, and it's got a dark liquid sloshing around inside it. Water or blood? Like many of the things on this list, it's tricky to know if the tub is a sign of something to come – does someone die in a bath, for instance? – or just a metaphor for something.

An orange

There's an orange rolling along the road! That's a bit odd, isn't it? The same orange pops back up in peel form later on in the sequence, floating underwater. We're filing this one under "may be significant further down the line."

A stuffed polar bear with one eye sitting on a rocking chair, and a real polar bear with one eye.

One-eyed polar bears are a bit of a theme here, aren't they? In episode 1, Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) finds a stuffed toy version in her house that she seems to connect with an unsettling memory, while Detective Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) sees a real-looking polar bear while driving through town. You can see both in the opening credits.

Dead, frozen figures emerging from the ice.

These are presumably the same dead figures we glimpse at the end of the first episode.

A Tsalal Arctic Research Station sign reading "operation in progress".

The Tsalal Arctic Research Station is the show's first main setting — the place where Danvers begins her investigation into a team of missing scientists. The rest of the episode takes place around the fictional Alaskan town of Ennis, but the research station's mention in the main credits (plus the fact the station itself is shown) could mean it has a larger part to play.

Nothing creepier than an abandoned research station. Credit: Michele K. Short/HBO

A woman sinking under the ice.

Foreshadowing for something that will happen in the show, or just a metaphor? Tricky to say at this stage, but we can hazard a guess as to who the woman is — she's wearing a coat with an APF (Alaska Police Force) patch on the shoulder, so it seems likely she's with the police. Danvers?

A deer skull floating underwater.

Could this be a reference to the poor animals that go thundering off the edge of that ice cliff in episode 1's very first scene, seemingly driven to madness by the oncoming long night?

Bloody clothes on a washing line.

It's difficult to say exactly what this image means, but washing bloody clothes could be a reference to trying to clean up a crime scene.

A smashed car windscreen.

We see a brief shot through a splintered windscreen of a house with a car beside it. There's not much we can glean from the house, but the broken windscreen could be significant. Will one of the characters get in a car accident on the snowy roads? Or have they had an accident in the past?

Lots of tubes stacked on shelves.

These are the cylindrical tubes that Danvers finds at the research station. Perhaps the research being undertaken by the scientists will be significant down the line?

Grave markers.

Shortly after the evidence tubes we see multiple crucifixes with dates marked on each. These are presumably graves, but the real striking detail is the date: Each cross is marked with the year 2023.

A protest sign.

We see a brief glimpse of two protest signs in one shot, and the phrase "protect our water" is clear on one. Ennis is clearly in the midst of an environmental struggle.

The laboratory is a key location. Credit: Michele K. Short/HBO

A laboratory.

Presumably this is part of the Tsalal Arctic Research Station.

A curved archway on the side of the road.

Are those...bones?

A deer.

There's a deer with glowing eyes! Could this be the living version of the poor beast whose remains are floating underwater?

Orange peel floating underwater.

We'll put this in the "one-eyed stuffed bear" category, in that it's presumably something that will have greater significance further down the line.

A circular hatch floating underwater.

No idea, but it seems likely this is connected to the research station.

The inside of an ice cave.

One of the final shots is a quick trip through an icy, underground tunnel, shown after a quick flash of skeletons embedded in the ice. A real location in the show, or just an atmospheric tracking shot? Like many of the potential clues on this list, we'll have to wait to find out...

How to watch: True Detective airs Sunday nights on HBO/Max at 9 p.m ET/PT.

True Detective is back, and there are some standards we have come to expect: A gnarly mystery, a pair of captivating detectives at odds, and twists that will leave us drop-jawed and hungry for more. 

Season 4 takes a major departure, as it's the first not written by creator Nic Pizzolatto. Instead, writer/director Issa López (Tigers Are Not Afraid) helms and co-writes this arc of the anthropology series, which is set in rural Alaska during the polar night — meaning daylight is weeks away. 

Episode 1 introduces us to Ennis Police Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and her former partner, disgraced trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis). The pair are thrown together when a local scientific facility, Tsalal Arctic Research Station, is found abandoned, as if the men working there ran off into the endless night without warning. What's become of these men is just the beginning of this season's mystery, which Navarro believes is related to a cold case from her past: the unsolved murder of an Iñupiaq activist named Annie K.

SEE ALSO: Missing Black and Indigenous people don’t get the same attention as missing white women

All season long, Mashable will run down the clues. Here's our round of burning questions from episode 1. 

Where are the missing scientists?  Jodie Foster and John Hawkes play cops in in "True Detective" Season 4. Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

The Ennis police are called when a deliveryman comes to Tsalal Arctic Research Station with provisions and finds the place abandoned. Ferris Bueller's Day Off plays loudly on the television in a loop. A beer and popcorn have been left behind, as have their phones and a sandwich that seems recently made. "It's like they went to take a leak and never came back," Danvers notes as she surveys the scene.  

Runny mayonnaise and smelly, wet laundry suggests they've been gone for at least two days. But where? By episode's end, some of the scientists are found in the ice, frozen solid. What brought them there? 

The research facility is investigating geology, biology, and the impacts of climate change, seeking the origin of life. (Or, as Danvers refers to it, "Oh. That thing.") Could it be some controversial or cursed discovery that led to their disappearance? Or could the tongue found in the kitchen be a clue that this mystery has something to do with the murder of Annie K? 

Who killed Annie K?  Finn Bennett and Jodie Foster go over evidence in "True Detective" Season 4. Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

Six years ago, Annie Masu Kowtok (also known as Annie K) was found dead on the edge of the village. She was stabbed 32 times by an unidentified murder weapon that left star-shaped wounds. Her tongue was cut out but not found. After she was dumped, she was kicked until her ribs and teeth broke. Navarro was first on the scene. Working under then-Police Chief Hank Prior (John Hawkes), she became obsessed with the case but couldn't close it. 

Annie had been protesting against the Silver Sky mines and their possible environmental impact, but as the mines provided much-needed employment to Ennis, her activism was far from welcome.

Catching young Peter Prior (Finn Bennett) up on the cold case, Danvers suggests there are too many suspects to crack it. "This one was never going to be solved," she explains. "Ennis killed Annie. This fucking place. No killer was ever going to be found."

Whose tongue was found?  Isabella Star LaBlanc stars as Leah in "True Detective" Season 4. Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

At the research facility, Danvers notes the tongue belongs to a Native woman, based on the scarring that would come from a traditional practice for prepping nets.

Hearing about the recovered tongue, Navarro assumes it's Annie's. But Annie was murdered six years ago, while this one seems two days rotted by Danvers' estimation. So, is it the tongue of another ill-fated Iñupiaq woman? Or is it Annie's, because (as we learned in season one) "Time is a flat circle"? 

Who is "she"?  Jodie Foster and Kali Reis in "True Detective" Season 4. Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

In the cold open, one scared scientist cries out, "She's back!" Then the lights shut off.

Later, Danvers is asleep when a child's voice calls, "Mommy, she's awake." Then in the very next scene, as Navarro comes upon a one-eyed polar bear, a voice hisses over her radio, "She's awake." 

Is this mysterious "she" Annie, perhaps resurrected as a vengeful spirit? That's our working theory. Sure, it'd be a change-up for True Detective to go so explicitly supernatural — but it'd be true to Lopez's work. (See her beautifully surreal horror film Tigers Are Not Afraid, now streaming on Shudder.)

Why was Hank hiding the Annie K files?  John Hawkes plays Hank in "True Detective" Season 4. Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

Some time ago the Ennis police station was flooded, so Hank took some evidence boxes home for safekeeping. But within his crowded home office, Hank's son Prior finds the case files tucked away in a drawer. Prior steals the files so Hank won't know that they're missing. Why don't Prior and Danvers trust that Hank would hand the files over? Is he obstructing the Annie K case? What does he have to gain from denying justice?

What does the spiral mean?  Who you gonna call? Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

In Season 1 of True Detective, spirals were a creepy recurring symbol tied to the Yellow King and his mystical murder spree. In Season 4, the first spiral appears when Danvers is sorting out Annie K evidence, arranging the files around her in a spiral. Is this purely an aesthetic throughline, or will this spiral serve as a bigger bind between Seasons 1 and 4? We'll be tracking that.

Who is Travis?  Fiona Shaw is haunted. Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

Rose Aguineau (Fiona Shaw) is cleaning the catch of her hunt when, over a nearby radio, a man's voice squawks, "Is anybody there?" She turns to see a man standing nearby who's wearing nothing but a flannel shirt and long johns — he's not even wearing shoes. She calls him Travis and asks, "What do you want?" Silent but focused, he walks out into the icy landscape.

Dressed for the weather in a full parka, hat, gloves, and boots, and armed with a flashlight, Rose follows him. Eventually, he stops and does a dance, haunting and strange. He mimes screaming and rending his clothes. Then he points, and following his direction is how Rose finds the remains of the Tsalal scientists. 

When Navarro arrives on the scene, she's surprised when the old woman explains Travis led her here. "Travis is dead, Rose," the trooper says, to which Rose replies calmly, "I know." 

So, Travis may be a ghost. But who is he to Ennis? To Rose? And what does he know about the men in the snow? 

True Detective Season 4 debuts on HBO and Max Jan. 14.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 January 15'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.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Ways to submit a vote

• Green: Force fields

• Blue: Ways to take your medicine

• Purple: Types of peas

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: List of Candidates

• Green: Protective Barrier

• Blue: Medicine Formats

• Purple: Pea___

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for December 28

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 Connections #218 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• List of Candidates: BALLOT, ROSTER, SLATE, TICKET

• Protective Barrier: BUFFER, CUSHION, PAD, SHIELD

• Medicine Formats: CAPSULE, CREAM, SYRUP, TABLET

• Pea___: COAT, GREEN, POD, SOUP

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

The 2024 Critics' Choice Awards ceremony is being held this Sunday, hot on the heels of the Golden Globes last week. Unfortunately for the nominees, this means the events are too close together for anyone to wear the same outfit and get away with it.

Hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler for the second year in a row, this year's ceremony is at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica Airport, California. While the original plan had been to hold the Critics' Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, the ceremony was moved last December due to the ongoing hotel workers' strike. Hollywood's actors and writers likely weren't keen to cross a picket line, especially considering that they themselves were on strike for much of last year.

SEE ALSO: The complete list of winners at the 2024 Golden Globes

Many of the Golden Globe nominees are being recognised again tonight, with Barbie leading the pack once more at a whopping 18 nominations. Oppenheimer and Poor Things follow with 13 nominations each, while Killers of the Flower Moon is up for 12 awards. All four films have been nominated for Best Picture, alongside American Fiction, The Color Purple, The Holdovers, Maestro, Past Lives, and Saltburn.

Here is the full list of nominees and winners at the 29th annual Critics' Choice Awards. This article is being updated live, with winners bolded as they are announced. You can watch the Critics' Choice Awards live on The CW from 7:00 p.m. ET

Best Picture

• American Fiction

• Barbie

• The Color Purple

• The Holdovers

• Killers of the Flower Moon

• Maestro

• Oppenheimer

• Past Lives

• Poor Things

• Saltburn

Best Actor

• Bradley Cooper (Maestro)

• Leonardo DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon)

• Colman Domingo (Rustin)

• Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers)

• Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)

• Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction)

Best Actress

• Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon)

• Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall)

• Greta Lee (Past Lives)

• Carey Mulligan (Maestro)

• Margot Robbie (Barbie)

• Emma Stone (Poor Things)

Best Supporting Actor

• Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction)

• Robert De Niro (Killers of the Flower Moon)

• Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)

• Ryan Gosling (Barbie)

• Charles Melton (May December)

• Mark Ruffalo (Poor Things)

Best Supporting Actress

• Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer)

• Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple)

• America Ferrera (Barbie)

• Jodie Foster (Nyad)

• Julianne Moore (May December)

• Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)

Best Young Actor/Actress

• Abby Ryder Fortson (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.)

• Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie)

• Calah Lane (Wonka)

• Milo Machado Graner (Anatomy of a Fall)

• Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers)

• Madeleine Yuna Voyles (The Creator)

Best Acting Ensemble

• Air

• Barbie

• The Color Purple

• The Holdovers

• Killers of the Flower Moon

• Oppenheimer

Best Director

• Bradley Cooper (Maestro)

• Greta Gerwig (Barbie)

• Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things)

• Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)

• Alexander Payne (The Holdovers)

• Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon)

Best Original Screenplay

• Samy Burch (May December)

• Alex Convery (Air)

• Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer (Maestro)

• Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach (Barbie)

• David Hemingson (The Holdovers)

• Celine Song (Past Lives)

Best Adapted Screenplay

• Kelly Fremon Craig (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.)

• Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers)

• Cord Jefferson (American Fiction)

• Tony McNamara (Poor Things)

• Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)

• Eric Roth & Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon)

Best Cinematography

• Matthew Libatique (Maestro)

• Rodrigo Prieto (Barbie)

• Rodrigo Prieto (Killers of the Flower Moon)

• Robbie Ryan (Poor Things)

• Linus Sandgren (Saltburn)

• Hoyte van Hoytema (Oppenheimer)

Best Production Design

• Suzie Davies, Charlotte Dirickx (Saltburn)

• Ruth De Jong, Claire Kaufman (Oppenheimer)

• Jack Fisk, Adam Willis (Killers of the Flower Moon)

• Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer (Barbie)

• James Price, Shona Heath, Zsuzsa Mihalek (Poor Things)

• Adam Stockhausen, Kris Moran (Asteroid City)

Best Editing

• William Goldenberg (Air)

• Nick Houy (Barbie)

• Jennifer Lame (Oppenheimer)

• Yorgos Mavropsaridis (Poor Things)

• Thelma Schoonmaker (Killers of the Flower Moon)

• Michelle Tesoro (Maestro)

Best Costume Design

• Jacqueline Durran (Barbie)

• Lindy Hemming (Wonka)

• Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (The Color Purple)

• Holly Waddington (Poor Things)

• Jacqueline West (Killers of the Flower Moon)

• Janty Yates, David Crossman (Napoleon)

Best Hair and Makeup

• Barbie

• The Color Purple

• Maestro

• Oppenheimer

• Poor Things

• Priscilla

Best Visual Effects

• The Creator

• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

• Oppenheimer

• Poor Things

• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Best Comedy

• American Fiction

• Barbie

• Bottoms

• The Holdovers

• No Hard Feelings

• Poor Things

Best Animated Feature

• The Boy and the Heron

• Elemental

• Nimona

• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

• Wish

Best Foreign Language Film

• Anatomy of a Fall

• Godzilla Minus One

• Perfect Days

• Society of the Snow

• The Taste of Things

• The Zone of Interest

Best Song

• "Dance the Night" – Barbie

• "I'm Just Ken" – Barbie

• "Peaches" – The Super Mario Bros. Movie

• "Road to Freedom" – Rustin

• "This Wish" – Wish

• "What Was I Made For" – Barbie

Best Score

• Jerskin Fendrix (Poor Things)

• Michael Giacchino (Society of the Snow)

• Ludwig Göransson (Oppenheimer)

• Daniel Pemberton (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)

• Robbie Robertson (Killers of the Flower Moon)

• Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt (Barbie)

Artifact, a personalized news app curated by AI, is shuttering its windows and shutting off comments, just one year after it launched from the minds of Instagram's former founders.

“We have built something that a core group of users love, but we have concluded that the market opportunity isn’t big enough to warrant continued investment in this way,” wrote co-founder Kevin Systrom in a Medium announcement. "It’s easy for startups to ignore this reality, but often making the tough call earlier is better for everyone involved... We live in an exciting time where artificial intelligence is changing just about everything we touch, and the opportunities for new ideas seem limitless."

SEE ALSO: In Memoriam: The tech that died in 2023

The app was created by Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram co-founders who left in 2018 to pursue to new ventures, including addressing what Sytrom called the "existential crises" facing the news industry and the habits of overwhelmed users.

"News and information remain critical areas for startup investment," Systrom wrote. "We are at an existential moment where many publications are shutting down or struggling, local news has all but vanished, and larger publishers have fraught relationships with leading technology companies. My hope is that technology can find ways to preserve, support and grow these institutions..."

Artifact launched in Jan. 2023, and was initially pegged as a purely consumable feed of "news, fact, and AI" intended to utilize machine learning to curate relevant news and posts from journalists, like a news-forward TikTok For Your Page.

By April, however, the app had expanded into content creation as well, allowing customizable profiles, comment threads, and a voting system that Mashable's Christiana Silva noted was strikingly similar to the user experience of Reddit. "While this might make Artifact more interesting for users, it's also opening a Pandora's box of moderation issues," Silva wrote of the newly unveiled Artifact "reputation scores" at the time. "It's tough to imagine an app all about reading the news that beats the mind-numbing joy (and pain, and fear, and anger...) that we get from Instagram and TikTok."

Despite early appreciation from news professionals and users alike, it appears Artifact couldn't beat the quick churn of popular social media sites — and the increasingly inevitable trailing off of AI buzz.

Commenting and posting abilities have officially been turned off, but Artifact users can continue scrolling through news posts until the end of February.

OpenAI may be paving the way toward finding out its AI's military potential.

First reported by the Intercept on Jan 12., a new company policy change has completely removed previous language that banned “activity that has high risk of physical harm," including specific examples of “weapons development” and “military and warfare.”

As of Jan. 10, OpenAI's usage guidelines no longer included a prohibition on "military and warfare" uses in existing language that obligates users to prevent harm. The policy now only notes a ban on utilizing OpenAI technology, like its Large Language Models (LLMs), to "develop or use weapons."

SEE ALSO: What is the Rabbit R1 AI Assistant and why is everyone going crazy for it?

Subsequent reporting on the policy edit pointed to the immediate possibility of lucrative partnerships between OpenAI and defense departments seeking to utilize generative AI in administrative or intelligence operations.

In Nov. 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement on its mission to promote "the responsible military use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems," citing the country's endorsement of the international Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy — an American-led "best practices" announced in Feb. 2023 that was developed to monitor and guide the development of AI military capabilities.

"Military AI capabilities includes not only weapons but also decision support systems that help defense leaders at all levels make better and more timely decisions, from the battlefield to the boardroom, and systems relating to everything from finance, payroll, and accounting, to the recruiting, retention, and promotion of personnel, to collection and fusion of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data," the statement explains.

AI has already been utilized by the American military in the Russian-Ukrainian war and in the development of AI-powered autonomous military vehicles. Elsewhere, AI has been incorporated into military intelligence and targeting systems, including an AI system known as "The Gospel," being used by Israeli forces to pinpoint targets and reportedly "reduce human casualties" in its attacks on Gaza.

AI watchdogs and activists have consistently expressed concern over the increasing incorporation of AI technologies in both cyber conflict and combat, fearing an escalation of arms conflict in addition to long-noted AI system biases.

In a statement to the Intercept, OpenAI spokesperson Niko Felix explained the change was intended to streamline the company's guidelines: "We aimed to create a set of universal principles that are both easy to remember and apply, especially as our tools are now globally used by everyday users who can now also build GPTs. A principle like ‘Don’t harm others’ is broad yet easily grasped and relevant in numerous contexts. Additionally, we specifically cited weapons and injury to others as clear examples."

OpenAI introduces its usage policies in a similarly simplistic refrain: "We aim for our tools to be used safely and responsibly, while maximizing your control over how you use them."

Something traumatic must have happened to the Beta Pictoris star system within the 20th century.

That might not seem recent, but considering the universe is thought to be 13.8 billion years old, the notion that a major cosmic event happened within some living humans' lifespans — and can be studied — is fascinating to astronomers.

Beta Pictoris, a nearby star with at least two orbiting planets, is about 63 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation Pictor. It's visible to the naked eye in the southern sky. A team of scientists used the powerful James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and the European and Canadian space agencies, to make the discovery. The infrared space observatory again showed its prowess in finding details never before detected by other telescopes.

Webb revealed a new dusty feature at Beta Pictoris, curled like a cat's tail. Now, the team is trying to figure out what caused it.

"While there have been previous observations from the ground in this (light) wavelength range, they did not have the sensitivity and the spatial resolution that we now have with Webb, so they didn’t detect this feature," said Isabel Rebollido of the Astrobiology Center in Spain, in a statement.

SEE ALSO: The Webb telescope just probed a star's pulverized corpse Tweet may have been deleted

Rebollido is the lead author of a new study on these findings, set to be published in the Astronomical Journal.

Previous telescope observations of Beta Pictoris have revealed the system has two disks of debris caused by collisions between asteroids, comets, and other small planet-like bodies. Planets are thought to form in such disks.

With computer modeling, the Webb researchers hypothesized that a cosmic event within the past 100 years must have produced the dusty curl.

The James Webb Space Telescope took a new snapshot of the Beta Pictoris system. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / Christopher Stark / Kellen Lawson / Jens Kammerer / Marshall Perrin

"Something happens — like a collision — and a lot of dust is produced," said Marshall Perrin, a co-author of the study, in a statement. “At first, the dust goes in the same orbital direction as its source, but then it also starts to spread out."

The light from the star pushes the smallest, fluffiest dust particles away from the star faster, Perrin added, while the bigger grains don't move as much, creating a long trail of dust. This one extends from the southwest portion of the secondary debris disk.

Webb also revealed differences in temperature between the two disks, likely indicating that they're composed of different substances. In visible light, the material that makes the secondary disk and dust tail is dark. But with Webb's infrared vision, it glows.

Taking into consideration the tail’s brightness, the team has estimated the amount of dust in it to be on par with a large main belt asteroid dispersed across 10 billion miles.

A recent collision within the system's debris disks could also explain a feature previously spotted by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in 2014. The telescope observed a clump of carbon monoxide near the cat’s tail. Because a star’s radiation should destroy carbon monoxide within about a century, this still-existing gas concentration could be evidence of the same event.

If so, the Beta Pictoris system may be even more chaotic than researchers thought.

Scientists have discovered a world that is almost identical in size to Earth, with a star almost identical to our sun.

But that's pretty much where the similarities end. The exoplanet, a world outside our solar system, is 10 times younger, exponentially hotter, and likely half-soaked in molten lava seas.

Astronomers found the new planet, HD 63433 d, using NASA's TESS probe, short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. The mission was designed to discover thousands of exoplanets in orbit around the brightest dwarf stars in space.

SEE ALSO: The curious new planets astronomers discovered in 2023 Tweet may have been deleted

The scorched world is the smallest and closest known young exoplanet, at only 73 light-years away. Scientists estimate it's about 400 million years old, a mere whippersnapper compared to our 4.5 billion-year-old home planet.

"Young terrestrial worlds are critical test beds to constrain prevailing theories of planetary formation and evolution," the discoverers said in a new paper published in The Astronomical Journal.

The number of confirmed exoplanets has risen to 5,569, with over 10,000 other candidates under review. Statistically speaking, the growing tally only scratches the surface of planets believed to be in space. With hundreds of billions of galaxies, the universe likely teems with many trillions of stars. And if most stars have one or more planets around them — well, that's an unfathomable number of hidden worlds.

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HD 63433 d is intriguing because one of its sides is always facing its star. Furthermore, it is much closer to its star than Earth is to the sun: In fact, it's eight times closer to its host star than Mercury is to the sun. That makes the exoplanet's orbit so snug that its year is only four days long. As any experienced sunbather knows, if you don't turn over, one side is going to get seriously burned.

Astronomers believe the side facing the star is subjected to temperatures of about 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit. But the backside of the planet that never receives starlight is a mystery, something the research team hopes to learn more about in the future. The James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful infrared telescope in the cosmos, could reveal more details about this young world, as well as search for hints of an atmosphere.

"Young planets are exciting because we can study how planets change over time by measuring their properties at different ages," said Andrew Vanderburg, one of the co-authors, on X. "This is kind of like studying how humans age by observing a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult, without waiting for the baby to grow up."

It’s hard to believe, but the new Fire HD 10 tablet is the 13th generation. Where has the time gone?

This latest model boasts some significant improvements while still providing excellent value compared to other well-known tablets. First, it’s 30 grams lighter than the previous-generation model. Doesn’t sound like much, but the difference is strikingly noticeable — this tablet is feather-light.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else?

According to Amazon, it’s also 25 percent faster than the 2021 model. Throughout my testing, I can attest that it has been very fast and responsive. The front-facing camera also got an upgrade — from 2MP to 5MP.

In addition, the tablet has a 13-hour battery life, 3GB of RAM, and a 10.1-inch, high-def 1080p display. All that, and it still squeaks in at just under $140. I tested the tablet for about a week and I have some thoughts on how it performs and whether it’s a worthwhile buy. (Spoiler alert: it probably is a good purchase for most people on the market for an entertainment tablet.)

Made for streaming 'Parks and Recreation' played easily (for the most part) from the Peacock app. Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable

According to Amazon this tablet is made for entertainment, so it really shines when it comes to streaming. The display is generous, crisp, and vivid — ideal for video on the go, curled up in the bed, or on the treadmill.

You’ll also have access to a full array of streaming apps from the jump. Prime Video and Freevee come preloaded, and nearly all other popular streaming apps are a quick download away.

I watched a few episodes of Parks & Rec on the Peacock app on the tablet, but unfortunately the app crashed a few times because the tablet kept disconnecting from my WiFi. It immediately reconnected after each disconnection, but it was a bit annoying. This is also something that I’ve experienced intermittently with other Fire tablets.

Sound quality, though, was surprisingly decent.

Decent for reading

One of my favorite things about the entire Amazon ecosystem is the Kindle app and Kindle Unlimited, so of course I had to see if this tablet was useful as an e-reader.

The tablet's size is not as friendly as a Kindle, but it still works as an e-reader with the Kindle app. Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable

Honestly, it’s a little too big to use as a dedicated e-reader unless you put it on a stand or use a case with a built-in stand.

Still, the tablet alone works well enough for occasional reading. With such a large screen, I found reading in landscape mode much easier on the eyes.

SEE ALSO: Have a Kindle? Don't sleep on the free credits you could earn through Kindle Rewards. Browsing has improved

Amazon Fire tablets come preloaded with the Amazon Silk browser. (And no, you won’t be able to download another browser from the Amazon App Store — but more on that later.)

This browser used to be a pain point for me, but it has improved significantly over the last few years. It’s not as slow or clunky as it used to be, and it offers an experience much more in line with Google Chrome or Firefox than in the past.

I enjoyed some effortless browsing on the tablet. Although the YouTube app isn’t available on the Amazon App Store, browsing YouTube on the Silk browser was easy and fast.

Alexa integration

Like other Fire tablets, this one can also be used as an Alexa device in lieu of (or in addition to) an Echo device. The tablet can listen and respond to Alexa commands even if the display is off.

In my experience with enabling Alexa on tablets, it’s extremely helpful for my older or less tech-savvy relatives — especially since navigating a Fire tablet is a vastly different experience from navigating a smartphone or a laptop.

Otherwise, for tablets for myself or my children, I tend to keep Alexa disabled. When we want her around, she lives in our dedicated smart home devices.

In classic Amazon fashion, the Fire HD 10 tablet does have lockscreen ads. Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable Apps and games are limited

One of the major limitations of Fire tablets — one that many people aren’t entirely aware of before they purchase — is that these tablets do not provide access to the Google Play Store. This means that app selection is severely limited. The Amazon App Store is pretty rinky-dink.

Naturally, you don’t have access to competitor apps — like anything Google (including YouTube) or most niche apps that you may have grown fond of using on your Apple or Android devices. I looked up several apps that I use regularly on my phone — specifically Monarch Money, Forest, Reddit, and Mercari — to find that none of them were available on the Amazon App Store.

Still, it does offer nearly all of the streaming apps except YouTube, all major social media apps except LinkedIn, and a large selection of mobile games — including a highly-rated, tablet-friendly Minecraft that my son is itching to play. Oddly enough, I also find a tablet offers the absolute best experience for browsing Pinterest.

I’m not much of a mobile gamer, so I let my son test a few games and he experienced no issues with speed or performance.

Camera fit for video calls and selfies

With a vastly improved front-facing camera compared to the previous model, this tablet is great for video calls and even selfies. You can make video calls using Alexa or several different apps, such as Facebook Messenger.

Still, if you’re regularly video chatting, you’ll want to invest in a stand to keep it upright and hands-free, since it’s a little large and can be awkward to hold for long periods of time.

Is the Amazon Fire HD 10 worth it?

Amazon's Fire HD 10 is an affordable alternative to comparable Samsung or Apple tablets, but it’s important to understand exactly what you are — and aren’t — getting for the low price.

The Amazon App Store has an extremely limited selection of apps compared to the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.

However, I was impressed with this tablet otherwise. While it’s a little too big for comfortable reading, it’s great for streaming video and gaming, has a long battery life, and is fast and lightweight.

TL;DR: As of Jan. 14, sign up for a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone to learn Spanish for only $83.99. That's 75% in savings when you use the code SAVENOW at checkout.

Even with two weeks in the new year officially behind us, it’s not too late to add a resolution like learning a second (or third) language. Spanish is an excellent choice, whether you’re in a diverse community or are planning to travel to a Latin American country.

With Rosetta Stone, the experience is both non-intimidating and fun with bite-sized lessons, interactive activities, and tech that listens to your pronunciation. Normally, lifelong access to Latin American Spanish with Rosetta Stone is $299, but it’s on sale for $83.99 with code SAVENOW at checkout through January 14.

Rosetta Stone: The fun way to learn a new language

Learn the world’s second most spoken language in an immersive environment, where every word you see is in Spanish. On top of activities like word and image matching and practice conversations, this helps you learn through context by seeing, hearing, speaking, reading, and writing.

Rosetta Stone even caters the experience to your current skill level — total beginner or someone who took Spanish in high school — and goals, like travel, family, work, or complete fluency. Plus, learning can follow you wherever you go with options to access lessons from your phone, tablet, and computer.

Work on your pronunciation and accent

What really sets Rosetta Stone apart from other apps is TruAccent speech-recognition software that listens to and analyzes your pronunciation and accent. As you’re studying new words and phrases, you can gain confidence in your speaking skills before interacting with native speakers in your community or during your next international getaway.

Set a new goal for 2024 with lifetime access to learn Latin American Spanish with Rosetta Stone on sale for $83.99 (reg. $299) when you use code SAVENOW at checkout until January 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone: Lifetime Subscription to Learn Spanish (Latin American) $83.99 at the Mashable Shop with code SAVENOW Get Deal

TL;DR: As of Jan. 14, you can get a Costway electric fireplace insert for only $164.97 instead of $398.99. That's a savings of 58% for a limited time.

No matter what the season, the ambiance a fireplace creates is always welcome. And if it doesn't require tending to or the act of getting a chimney cleaned, all the better. If you want more peace and relaxation in your space this year, this electric fireplace insert from Costway could be the icing on the proverbial cake. And, through January 14, it's on sale for just $164.97 (reg. $398.99).

This versatile fireplace insert can be used in a variety of ways in a bedroom or common room. Insert it into a wall or cabinet. Or, if you are handy around the house, build a customized encasement to house it.

Safety is always first, so it's good to know this insert has overheating protection with certification from ETL. And since it's electric, no yucky dust or harmful gasses are emitted.

Made to have a realistic-looking flame, this fireplace insert has a lot of features to make your fireplace experience more customizable. You can choose between three flame colors: orange, blue, or orange-blue mix. It also has three brightness levels to play around with. And since it's also a space heater, a high and low heating mode is available depending on how warm you want the room.

With a tempered glass front and an included remote control, you will be all set to elevate the mood while lounging at home this winter and beyond.

Pick up this Costway 28.5-inch electric fireplace insert with a remote control while it's on sale for just $164.97 (reg. $398.99) until January 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT, with no coupon code required.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Costway Costway Electric Fireplace Insert $164.97 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of Jan. 14, you can grab a Costway portable electric space heater for only $42.99 instead of $69.99 — that's a savings of 38%.

Whether you're sitting at your desk or feeling the cold floor of the kitchen in the morning, cranking up the heat for your whole home may not be the answer, especially if you're trying to keep your heating budget low. Instead, you could carry the heat with you using a portable space heater. 

The Costway Portable Space Heater is compact, powerful, and super cozy, not to mention pretty affordable. Normally, this portable heater would cost $69, but the price has dropped even more to $42.99 through January 14.

A space heater that takes up so little space

This 1,500W heater may be small, but you could really feel the heat. Just switch to either of the heating settings (low or high) to pump up the heat from the PTC ceramic heating technology. 

The adjustable thermostat allows you to set a comfortable temperature, and the heater includes safety features like overheating protection and a tip-over safety switch to prevent accidents. The power indicator light informs you when the heater is in operation, and the removable heat dissipation mesh simplifies cleaning and maintenance.

This little heater could be ideal for personal use. Put it on your nightstand for a comfy night in bed or remote workers can stay warm through the workday without heating up the whole house. 

Cozy up with a portable heater

Stay warm through winter, whether you're working from home at your desk or lounging on the couch.

You have until February 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get the Costway 1,500W Portable Electric Space Heater on sale for $42.99. No coupon needed. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Costway Costway 1,500W Portable Electric Space Heater $42.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of Jan. 14, you can grab the Bento Stack Charge 8000 for just $79.99 instead of $99.95 — that's a savings of 19%.

If you're a busy professional, products that help you stay organized can be very welcome. And if those items can also charge up your iPhone, then that's a definite bonus. Many of us made a resolution to get more organized in the new year. And this Bento Stack Charge 8000 can help you make it happen. Plus, through January 14, you can get it for just $79.99 (reg. $99.95).

With a nod to the traditional Japanese bento box, the Bento Stack Charge offers a modular design that allows you to organize your tech essentials. Store your AirPods, Apple Watch, and chargers neatly, with a devoted space for everything.

The cover comes off to pull double duty as a MagSafe-compatible wireless fast charger. Simply put your iPhone on it, and charge it up quickly and without added messy wires. The cover also works as a power station, featuring both USB-C and USB-A ports. 

As seen at CES, this compact and durable plastic charging case is an ideal organizational case to take with you on the go. Easily fit it in your backpack to have all the essentials handy on a long flight and keep everything in order when going to and from the office.

Don't let the anxiety of having a low battery stress you out. Keep your desk orderly and your stuff charged with this handy little box that can help elevate the efficiency of your days.

Grab Bento Stack Charge 8000 for just $79.99 (reg. $99.95) when you order by January 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Function101 Bento Stack Charge 8000 $79.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of Jan. 14, you can secure a five-year subscription to AdGuard VPN for just $44.97 instead of $359.40 — that's a savings of 87%.

Unless you're living completely off the grid, we all have an online presence. And with that presence, there comes risk and vulnerability. If you don't already have a virtual private network (VPN), it should shoot to the top of your list. Using a VPN helps keep you safer online and less vulnerable to the shady stuff that we all know happens there. For a limited time, you can get a five-year subscription to AdGuard VPN for just $44.97 (reg. $359.40).

Whether you're browsing, streaming, or working remotely, AdGuard VPN helps ensure that your online activities remain private and secure no matter where you are. AdGuard has over 60 network locations, which means you can travel and still have secure internet access nearly anywhere you want to go.

This data privacy tool uses its own strict security measures to ensure your data stays private — it even has a zero-logging policy. That means AdGuard does not track what you're doing or collect your information or IP address. You will remain totally private while browsing, shopping, creating, or watching.

This offer gets you connected to AdGuard VPN on up to ten devices at the same time but is only available to new users. With updates included, you'll have access to all of its super-fast servers in every location. It also comes with unlimited data for streaming and downloading. Plus, it's compatible with all platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Google Chrome.

Keep yourself and your family safe and protected online while home or away.

Get this 5-year subscription to AdGuard VPN for just $44.97 (reg. $359.40) when you order by January 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT, with no coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard VPN: 5-Yr Subscription $44.97 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

Oura recently released a new feature for its popular sleep-tracking Gen3 ring: the ability to see trends in daytime stress.

Not long after, an intriguing thread popped up in a subreddit dedicated to the Oura ring. Some of its 40,000 members were perplexed by what the Oura app reported about their stress levels.

Much to their surprise, the commenters said it seemed that they were always stressed. Some wondered if the new feature was buggy. But others didn't like how the data made them feel, hinting at the unintended mental health implications of tracking.

"I'm stressed eight hours a day since this new feature has rolled out which is making me stressed," wrote one commenter. "How do I shut it off!"

The conversation pointed to a persistent tension undergirding efforts to track, or even surveil, your own health around the clock. Such data can empower the user, but it can also sew doubt and worry — perhaps where there wasn't any before.

SEE ALSO: 6 med tech innovations from 2023 that could improve our lives

Dr. Vaile Wright, a psychologist and senior director of health care innovation for the American Psychological Association, said these different outcomes depend on the person.

"For some, tracking provides a critical ability to recognize and identify triggers," Wright said. "For others, however, it could actually increase stress, distress, and hypervigilance."

The former group might have difficulty pinpointing what stresses them most or how they feel in that state. Cultivating a greater awareness of that can be useful, because it might encourage them to make proactive changes, like implementing meditation or exercise breaks when their stress spikes. But the latter group might constantly think about their stress, even ruminate on it, and inadvertently engage in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

When a person thinks they're stressed all the time, they may expect that to be the case and then behave in ways that increase stress, like procrastinating, taking anger or frustration out on others, and staying constantly connected to digital devices, the news, and social media.

The challenge is that you may not know how you'll respond until you're staring at days of charts showing an elevated stress level.

The basics of tracking stress levels

Previously, the Oura app only gave users detailed data about how well they slept and recovered from the previous day's exertion.

Oura's head of science, Shyamal Patel, whose Ph.D. is in computer and electrical engineering, told Mashable the company wanted to launch a daytime stress function as a way to give users a "holistic" picture of their stress and recovery. Oura competitor Whoop released its own tracking feature, Stress Monitor, in spring 2023.

The Oura ring measures daytime stress by continuously tracking temperature, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV). More variability in your heart rate can suggest resilience to stress, whereas less variation can indicate that the body's nervous system is struggling.

Certain factors impede reliable data collection. Cold hands or a poorly or loosely fitting ring can lead to gaps in tracking. Oura's algorithm excludes exercise or movement from its stress analysis so as not to confuse the physical demands of a workout, for example, with overall distress.

SEE ALSO: With Strava, no one runs alone anymore. That's the problem.

Importantly, the feature hasn't been independently clinically validated, though Patel said the company recently launched a study with this aim.

He's also aware that drawing attention to stress through tracking may have unintended consequences because the same thing has happened to people who began collecting data about their sleep. Patel points to orthosomnia, the new phenomenon of becoming so preoccupied with sleep tracker data that it leads to sleeplessness.

Patel said this is why the Oura app is meant to have an "empathetic" voice instead of using judgmental language oriented around failure when it's providing insights.

Understanding high-stress levels

The ring's sensor gathers data continuously, but the daytime stress chart reports back every 15 minutes. (Only members who pay a monthly $5.99 subscription fee can access the data.) You can watch as stress levels peak, crash, and plateau throughout the day.

The short interval can be informative. A screaming child or tense work meeting may coincide exactly with a stress peak, confirming what you already suspected was true. Or you might be stunned to see that the deep breathing you tried at the dentist's office seemed to make it a low-stress experience.

Yet the time frame can also amplify worry. You might wonder why a brief meditation break or leisurely meal — things you did because you hoped they'd reduce stress — didn't show up as restful or restorative but instead appeared as periods of stress or engagement, a state of being Oura places between stress and relaxation.

Again, the different responses come down to personality and circumstance, said Wright. The app's feedback may motivate one person to change their behavior while another person feels "paralysis" as a result.

SEE ALSO: Should you put a ring on it? I tried the Oura 3 for one month to find out.

There are also things people cannot control. Certain medications, like asthma medicines, antibiotics, cold and congestion medicines, and antidepressants, can increase heart rate and potentially affect heart rate variability, which the app currently doesn't make clear to users. Someone searching for an answer to a sudden spike in stress might not realize it's due to starting a new medication.

Different but even more impactful sources of external stress are the invisible forces that influence well-being. The American Psychological Association's recent "Stress in America" survey found, for example, that the nation is still "recovering from collective trauma" following the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though many respondents downplayed their stress, nearly a quarter of adults said their stress rated between eight and 10 on a scale of one to 10, with the upper end being a "great deal of stress." Respondents were feeling the pressure of financial strain and health challenges, but they were also particularly worried about mass shootings, violence and crime, the nation's future, and "social divisiveness."

In this sense, tracking stress has its limits. If a higher-paying job won't materialize because of economic trends, coping skills will only go so far.

"Yes, there are some things that we can do to help us maintain our emotional well-being that actually are in our control," said Wright, "but they're not sufficient to manage all of our stress in the world, because much of [what is] causing us stress we don't have control over, and there are not necessarily easy fixes for them either."

Are there risks to tracking your stress?

At the outset, Oura didn't offer stress management tools alongside its daytime stress feature. Now, the app suggests relaxation content from the meditation and wellness platform Headspace when Oura detects elevated levels of stress.

A "reflections" feature in beta testing lets users jot down notes about their daily experiences. Ideally, the tool will help users make connections between highs and lows in their daytime stress, shedding light on drivers of triggering, restful, and restorative moments.

Later this year, Oura plans to launch a "stress resilience" measure, which will assess users' ability to withstand physiological stress by tracking daytime stress and recovery, as well as recovery during sleep.

Patel notes that gleaning insight from wearable data is a relatively new practice. Until the recent past, a person's main source of health data was generated at their annual physical, he said. Now, they can collect continuous data about themselves, including their sleep, stress, heart rate, and menstrual cycle.

Patel said it's important to help people understand what's shaping their health trends, now that they have data about them in hand: "We need to close that gap."

Some Oura users, in a separate, more recent Reddit thread, wondered if their near-constant high-stress days meant they had anxiety. The reflection could be particularly useful when followed by a conversation with a health care or mental health provider.

But Wright urges consumers to be cautious with their health data, too. While Oura doesn't sell member data of any kind (even anonymized) to third parties, no company is immune from a security breach. Oura does partner with researchers who can access de-identified user data to conduct clinical studies but collects "relevant consent" from research participants in advance.

Wright said that, in general, wearables aren't required to be compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a federal law that protects a wide range of health data. They also typically aren't subject to federal regulation, unless they're considered a medical device.

"Research technology moves faster than regulation and ethics," Wright said, adding that she's more worried about data privacy, security, and storage than whether wearables actually work.

Still, Wright knows that many people are eager to track their health metrics, including stress. She encourages them to take digital breaks periodically to see how it makes them feel and then reassess how much they want to engage with their device.

Keeping digital tabs on measurements of well-being may be a mood booster if things are going well, but Wright reiterated that such awareness might be potentially damaging when it leads to anxious thinking.

After all, sometimes the best way to stay even-keeled is to not know exactly how stressed you are.

Flying was never the most stress-free way to travel, but thanks to never-ending airline delays, unruly passengers, and the incredible shrinking airline seat, it's become a nightmare. If you've decided it's finally time to invest in a quality pair of noise-canceling headphones for flying, we've got you covered.

SEE ALSO: How to clean your AirPods the right way

The good news is that plenty of headphones, from over-ear headphones to wireless earbuds, offer active noise cancellation. And in 2024, it's not too hard to find ANC headphones cost under $100.

Even so, if you want to find the best noise-canceling headphones for airplanes, you should be prepared to pay closer $200 to $500 (exempting our budget pick from Anker Soundcore). Premium headphones offer improved active noise cancellation and transparency modes that allow you to hear those all-important gate announcements.

Let's not forget that ANC on its own won't save the day — otherwise, we'd just direct you to our review of the best noise-canceling headphones. For long flights, comfort is also key. It won't matter if your headphones block sound if you only want to wear them for two out of five hours of your flight. A few extra features — like balanced sound and spatial audio — can't hurt either.

SEE ALSO: New Apple AirPods Max expected to launch next year — 2 new features to watch out for

With all that in mind, we've rounded up the best headphones for flying based on our extensive research and hands-on testing.

Because shopping for headphones shouldn't be as stressful as heading to the airport, we've answered every question you need to know before purchasing. Read on for essential info as well as the very best noise-canceling headphones for flying in 2024.

Does paying more really get me more noise cancellation?

Generally, yes. Many cheap headphones claim to offer "noise-canceling" features, but a $50 pair of over-ear headphones will never compare to Sony noise-canceling headphones. Typically, the more you pay and the better known and regarded the brand is, the better the noise cancellation. Brands like Bose and Sony offer multiple levels of noise cancellation so you can choose to be completely blocked off from the world or opt to allow some environmental noises to come in while flying. 

SEE ALSO: What to look for when shopping for the best headphones

Paying more can also get you some nice features to supplement your ANC, like voice assistant support, expansive battery life, advanced codec support for better-sounding music, or better call quality. If you're a frequent flyer, the cost is almost certainly worth it.

What are the best noise-canceling headphones for flying?

Noise-canceling headphones are at their most useful on airplanes. While flying, it's difficult to find a moment's peace when so much is going on around you. Frequent flyers may prefer to rest or work, and the best way to do this is by using the best noise-cancellation methods to block out the chaos. 

With that in mind, some headphones' ANC works best on blocking out people talking more than ambient engine sounds, and vice versa, and people will have different preference levels for how much ANC they actually like. In addition, for long-haul flights, you may also be interested in the best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping

With all that in mind, we've included the best ANC headphones for every traveler. So, read on to find the best noise-canceling headphones for airplanes in 2024 — all based on Mashable's in-depth research and hands-on headphones reviews.

TL;DR: Stream the 2024 Six Nations for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's going to be very difficult for 2024 to compete with 2023 when it comes to international rugby. Last year we were treated to an electric Six Nations, a long list of competitive international test matches, and of course, the Rugby World Cup. That's tough to beat.

This year is going to be very quiet in comparison, but don't be fooled into thinking the Six Nations is going to be any less competitive. The Six Nations is always fiery, and we're expecting a lot of intense battles between some of the best sides in the world.

If you want to watch the 2024 Six Nationsn for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Six Nations?

The Six Nations Championship is an annual international men's rugby union competition between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Each team plays every other team once, with home ground advantage alternating from one year to the next.

The current champions are Ireland.

When is the 2024 Six Nations?

The 2024 Six Nations Championship is the 130th edition of the competition, but only the 25th since it expanded to become the Six Nations Championship in 2000. This year's competition will take place from Feb. 2 to March 16.

How to watch the 2024 Six Nations for free

You can watch every game from the Six Nations for free on the BBC or ITV. You can also live stream every fixture for free on BBC iPlayer or ITVX.

BBC iPlayer and ITVX are both geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These popular tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This quick and easy action makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer and ITVX by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX

5. Steam the 2024 Six Nations for free

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer or ITVX without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to stream most of the 2024 Six Nations before recovering your investment.

2024 Six Nations schedule

Once you have established access to the 2024 Six Nations for free, you'll want to make note of the fixture schedule and broadcasting partner for each game:

• Feb. 2 — France vs. Ireland (8 p.m. GMT on ITV)

• Feb. 3 — Italy vs. England (2:15 p.m. GMT on ITV)

• Feb. 3 — Wales vs. Scotland (4:45 p.m. GMT on BBC)

• Feb. 10 — Scotland vs. France (2:15 p.m. GMT on BBC)

• Feb. 10 — England vs. Wales (4:45 p.m. GMT on ITV)

• Feb. 11 — Ireland vs. Italy (3 p.m. GMT GMT on ITV)

• Feb. 24 — Ireland vs. Wales (2:15 p.m. GMT on ITV)

• Feb. 24 — Scotland vs. England (4:45 p.m. GMT on BBC)

• Feb. 25 — France vs. Italy (3 p.m. GMT on ITV)

• March 9 — Italy vs. Scotland (2:15 p.m. GMT on ITV)

• March 9 — England vs. Ireland (4:45 p.m. GMT on ITV)

• March 10 — Wales vs. France (3 p.m. GMT on BBC)

• March 16 — Wales vs. Italy (2:15 p.m. GMT on BBC)

• March 16 — Ireland vs. Scotland (4:45 p.m. GMT on ITV)

• March 16 — France vs. England (8 p.m. GMT on ITV)

Keep these dates in mind and clear your schedule. It's the only thing that really matters at this time of year.

What is the best VPN for streaming sport?

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

• Servers in 94 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 always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: The 2023 Premium Python Programming Mega Certification Bundle is on sale for £36.11, saving you 76% on list price.

If you’re someone who enjoys all things tech-related and wants a deeper understanding of how we make the smart devices in our lives work, you may want to try your hand at computer coding. Fortunately for you, you don’t need to get an expensive degree to start your journey. Not when you can have lifetime access to this Python programming certification bundle, which gives you over 100 hours of instruction. And you can grab this online learning bundle for just £36.11.

Whether you have some computer programming experience already or you’re just starting out, this bundle is a good place to gain some new skills. Aspiring coders can learn the foundations in just three hours with the course, Python Programming for Beginners and Python Bootcamp In A Day, taught by instructor Paul Ashun, a leader in mobile, Internet TV, and web software projects and CEO of Pashun Consulting.

SEE ALSO: 12 of the best Python courses you can take online for free

This bundle gives you some of the easiest Python for beginners courses with lifetime access to 14 different courses taught by experts in Python programming language. You'll learn how to use problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to solve technical and mathematical problems. And if you're looking for something with a unique spin, you can even build your own text-based escape room to explore core techniques within a game.

Python is one of the top three most used programming languages in the world. It can be used for everything from accounting to game design, and this bundle teaches you how to implement these skills in both fields. Learn to create data visualisation web apps or even build a medical diagnosis bot with Python. 

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Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for Jan. 14'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.

Not the day you're after? Here's the Wordle answer for Jan. 12.

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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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:

We're getting jacked.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

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 Wordle #939 is...

BULKY.

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.

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 January 14'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.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Stressful finances

• Green: Swiper the Fox activities

• Blue: Animal nicknames

• Purple: Lower body clothing

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things to Pay

• Green: Thieve

• Blue: Male Animals

• Purple: Legwear, In the Singular

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for December 28

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 Connections #217 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things to Pay: BILL, CHECK, INVOICE, TAB

• Thieve: PINCH, ROB, STEAL, SWIPE

• Male Animals: BUCK, BULL, JACK, TOM

• Legwear, In the Singular: JEAN, PANT, SHORT, TIGHT

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.