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"I like to manipulate the tears out of people with...sexiness."

You know when an interview features Paul Mescal saying a line like that it's going to be a banger, and the Chicken Shop Date above by no means disappoints.

Sitting opposite host Amelia Dimoldenberg, the All of Us Strangers star talks about everything from his newfound love of Guinness to his flirting techniques.

It's every bit as hilarious and awkward as we'd hope it would be.

If you love coffee, it's not a question of "do I need a coffee machine?" It’s a question of “which model?” Yes, coffee lovers seriously love coffee. This much we know. But buy the right coffee machine and you’ll fall in love with that as well.

That being said, it’s not easy buying a coffee machine. Coffee drinking is more than a pastime. It’s a whole subculture of specific tastes. Give it a quick google. The number of websites dedicated to coffee drinking will make your eyes spin like a double shot of espresso. There’s so much to get your head around before making an informed decision. That’s why we’re here to help with some need-to-know information.

So which coffee machine is right for you? It's the ultimate question of taste.

What types of coffee do coffee machines make?

Between various styles and functions, coffee machines make pretty much any coffee you want — espresso, cappuccino, americano, lungo, latte, or straight-up black. The trick is choosing a machine that makes coffee exactly as you like it.

What are the different types of coffee machine?

Whatever your taste or lifestyle, there’s a coffee machine for you:

• Pod machines — Sometimes called capsule machines, these are automatic contraptions that make espresso, lungo, or ristretto coffee with the push of a button. They use pods, which are packed with perfectly measured ground coffee beans. Just stick the pod in the machine and push the button for delicious coffee. These machines are compact and affordable, and easy to use. Buying pods can mean ongoing costs, but there's a huge selection of flavours, blends, and strengths available.

• Bean-to-cup machines — For those who like their coffee to feel a bit more authentic, the bean-to-cup machine is like having your own barista in the kitchen. Pop your beans in the grinder and adjust your settings. It works by blasting the beans with hot water to make a perfect cup of coffee. These are often bigger, pricier models.

• Semi-automatic machines —The semi-automatic is somewhere between the above models. It gives you some control over the coffee-making process. It’s up to you to grind the coffee, load it up, and tamp. But once you press the button, it takes care of the pressure and temperature. You may also have some control over the water flow. 

Keep these machines in mind when shopping, and you should be able to navigate your way to something that works for you.

What is bar pressure?

It’s worth learning the jargon, or you’ll soon get blinded for coffee-based science. A bar is a metric unit of pressure — so a way to measure the amount of pressure you put on coffee beans. The higher the pressure, the faster the coffee is extracted. Serious bean-heads (AKA coffee experts) will tell you that 9 bars is the optimum pressure for espresso, for instance. Though some machines go all the way up to 19.

What is a milk frother?

These are self-explanatory. It’s a little bonus contraption that froths up milk in just a few seconds, which you can add to your coffee for that more authentic coffee shop taste. It can be added to all types of coffee, from espresso and lungo to cappuccino and americano. Simple, yes. But the question is, does your new coffee machine come with a milk frother or do you need to buy one separately? Machines might come with a steam wand instead. These are a more traditional option. Simply add milk to a separate jug and then use the steam to froth up your milk.

What is the best coffee machine?

We’ll leave that question up to you and your tastebuds. Not to mention whichever machine best suits your kitchen and lifestyle. All we’ve done is grind our way through the internet and filter out the very best options for you to consider.

These are the best coffee machines in 2024.

The spirals have been on an ongoing mystery in True Detective: Night Country, popping up on episode 2's frozen corpsicle as well as the roof of Clark's creepy trailer — and it looks like we'll be seeing more of them in episode 4.

In the one-minute teaser above we see the symbol carved on a small rock and daubed in what looks like blood on the wall of a dark room. The creepy closing words, as police chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and state trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) stand facing something unseen in the middle of nowhere? "You're all in the night country now."

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

Chafing at their dependence, Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft are racing to cut into Nvidia’s dominant share of the market.

Many feared that artificial intelligence would kill jobs. But hospitals, insurance companies and others are creating roles to navigate and harness the disruptive technology.

TL;DR: As of January 29, get the Poly Studio 4K Video System Speaker Bar on sale for $449.99 — usually $484.99.

We live in a whole new era of remote and hybrid work. Because of our incredible tech and digital access, we can easily collaborate virtually, which is a different playing field than years ago. This also means that having a reliable and high-quality video conferencing solution is essential. The Poly Studio 4K Video System Speaker Bar will cover your audio and video conferencing needs in one convenient low-profile package. And it's on sale for just $449.99 (reg. $484.99).

The Poly Studio Bar has a plug-and-play design. This means there's no need for complex installation time or technical expertise. You won't need the IT department to ensure your presentations, discussions, and collaborations are conveyed in clear 4K resolution right when you need it. The 120-degree field of view and digital zoom offers a way to include every detail of what you and your team are working on. 

As far as the audio, the powerful stereo speakers offer clear sound, while the NoiseBlockAI technology works to intuitively block out unnecessary sound that could distract from your meeting. It also features a six-microphone array to ensure everyone's voice is heard loud and clear. Plus, an acoustic fence makes sure just the voices in a particular space are picked up.

This audio-video solution offers an easy-to-use professional meeting experience that can be relied on day in and day out. It is also compatible with nearly all platforms, including Skype and Microsoft Teams. It also comes with a remote, wall-mount kit, and table stand.

Give your virtual meetings a professional polish with this audio-video conferencing system.

Pick up the Poly Studio 4K Video System Speaker Bar while it's on sale for just $449.99 (reg. $484.99) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Poly Poly Studio 4K Video System Speaker Bar $449.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: The Lavisha Cashmere-Blend Shawl is price-dropped to $15.97 through February 4 — that's $34 off the regular price of $50.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so it's time to start brainstorming what to get your partner or Galentine. Or, you can be your own Valentine this year — we love an excuse to treat yourself to something nice.

If the weather has been chilly, you or your valentine could benefit from a warm and elegant cashmere-wool blend shawl. This cold-weather accessory offers total comfort as it fashionably drapes over your shoulders and adds some spark to your ensemble — which could be exactly what you need to cocoon yourself in warmth during the winter months. Just be sure to order it by February 4 to receive it before Valentine’s Day.

Embrace the luxurious feel, warmth, and style of the Lavisha Cashmere-Blend Shawl this winter season. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, this six-foot long shawl comes with other great benefits. Its soft fringe adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit, making you stand out in style. Ideal for those with sensitive skin, the shawl is hypoallergenic, providing the wearer with a comfortable feel that won’t itch or irritate the skin. Moreover, it’s fade-resistant, preserving the bold red color of this cashmere-wool blend shawl over time (it also comes in other colors).

Act now to take advantage of the special pricing, and get this cashmere-wool blend shawl for just $15.97 (68% off) until 11:59 p.m. PT on February 4, with no coupon required.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lavisha Lavisha Cashmere-Blend Shawl (Multiple Colors) $15.97 in the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 29, get the ChatGPT & Automation E-Degree courses for only $29.99 — a 96% discount.

You may have used AI tools like ChatGPT, but that doesn't mean you already know how to get the best results out of them. If you've spent hours editing results and refining your prompts and still haven't gotten the exact response from AI that you want, it might be time to study up with the ChatGPT and Automation E-Degree. 

This online learning opportunity is made up of 12 lectures on everything from tailoring ChatGPT to your industry, streamlining business processes with automation tools, and even exploring how AI and data visualization can intersect. Get the whole bundle on sale for $29.99. 

Become an AI expert

There's a lot more to ChatGPT than asking it to write your emails or summarize the articles you don't have time to read. This bundle gives you the chance to learn more about using AI to amplify your own creativity, contribute to different parts of your existing projects, and visualize data for you. Keep in mind that access to AI software isn't included in this bundle, but you may be able to use your own free OpenAI membership for some lessons. 

Each course is taught by a professional from Eduonix Learning Solutions, and you can progress at your own pace. All course materials are yours for life and can be viewed or re-viewed as many times as you'd like. 

Find out how to automate your industry 

Make sure to check out each lesson on using automation to make your own job easier. You might be wasting time on repetitive tasks you could delegate to AI. 

See what AI and automation tools can do to make your life easier when you get the ChatGPT and Automation E-Degree course on sale for $29.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions ChatGPT & Automation E-Degree $29.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 29, get this iRobot Roomba 675 Wi-Fi Robot Vacuum (Open Box) for just $149.99 — a savings of 16%.

With the use of AI on the rise, it might be time to enlist it for another sector of work: household chores. If you want a robot to sweep your hardwood floors and vacuum your carpets, you should get an iRobot Roomba. While these can be spendy, this open-box model is only $149.99 (reg. $179.99).

AI can clean your house now

Just turn the robot on and it’ll clean your home all on its own. The Roomba 675 uses a three-stage system and multi-surface brushes to lift dirt, dust, and pet hair from all rooms of your house — hardwood kitchen floors, carpeted living and bedrooms, and tiled bathrooms. It also has an edge-sweeping brush to get into nooks and crannies.

Control your Roomba from anywhere with the iRobot HOME iOS or Android app. You could set custom schedules to have it run while you’re working or running errands, select an area of focus if there’s a particularly messy room, track its progress, or control it with voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

If you’re worried about your Roomba doing something crazy when you’re not around — like falling down the stairs or sucking up a rug — you can rest assured with intelligent object sensors and cliff detection that help prevent these issues. 

Save $30 with this open-box model

These devices were purchased and returned (literally meaning their box has been opened). While it’s not brand-new and might have some cosmetic imperfections, your Roomba is reset to factory settings and includes all of its original accessories.

Enlist this open-box iRobot Roomba 675 to keep your house tidy at just $149.99 (reg. $179.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba 675 Wi-Fi Robot Vacuum (Open Box) $149.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

So, you have an old laptop and you're wondering, "What do I do with it?"

E-waste is a concern and priority for manufacturers and consumers alike. There are now many measures in place to help prevent a device like a laptop from ending up in a landfill. As you may be looking to get rid of an older laptop, consider recycling, donating or repurposing the device.

If you’re aiming to recycle or donate your old laptop, it’s essential that you factory reset your device ahead of time. To maintain privacy and security, wipe the device of all personal information.

SEE ALSO: The best laptop deals for January 2024, from Apple's M3 MacBook Pro to a $480 HP gaming PC Recycle your old laptop

Ensuring old pieces of tech are properly recycled and reused, users can find free services within their community. This includes services like Earth911.

To find the most convenient location, be sure to check out Google for the closest drop-off as well as the hours of operation.

Donate your old laptop

Depending on the state of your old laptop, donating it may be a great option. You may have a family member or friend who needs a laptop. There may also be local organizations that are willing to accept a donation. In many cases, donated devices are then given to students or families in need.

The great thing about these non-profit services is that they’ll usually repair and restore older laptops, so rest assured they’ll do their best to have them in working order.

Repurpose your old laptop

In the event you want to hang onto an old laptop, you can always repurpose it.

Depending on its age and performance, an older laptop can be used as a streaming device. Netflix, Disney+, etc. don’t require much in terms of hardware, making an older laptop a fantastic device for streaming at a cottage.

You can also look at upgrading the device’s RAM and other components. Because it's an older device, this a good way to familiarize yourself with upgrading internals if you’re not already well-versed.

Don't forget to reset

If you’re aiming to recycle or donate your old laptop, it’s essential that you factory reset your device ahead of time. To maintain privacy and security, wipe the device of all personal information.

How to reset on Windows

Step 1: Type ‘reset’ into the Taskbar.

Step 2: Click ‘Reset this PC’ and ‘Get Started.'

Step 3: Select ‘Remove everything’ and then hit ‘Local Reinstall’ to initiate the factory reset.

How to reset on macOS

Step 1: Navigate to the Apple icon in the top left-hand corner.

Step 2: Select ‘System Preferences.’

Step 3: Verify everything is backed up using the Time Machine.

Step 4: Hit ‘Continue’ and ‘Erase All Content and Settings.'

There you have it; three fantastic options on what to do with an old laptop. Just because a laptop isn’t the fastest or flashiest anymore, doesn’t mean it isn’t useful. Plus, each option above helps to contribute to cutting down on e-waste.

We all claim to love the planet, but do we really? It’s easy to love something when it’s lavishing you with refreshing hikes, clear lakes, and gorgeously glowing sunsets. It’s much harder when the object of your affections asks for something in return — such as your toilet paper.

It isn't news that pollution and climate change are threatening our planet. Scientists have been screaming that our lifestyles are unsustainable for decades, begging people to be more mindful in their consumption. Yet habit and convenience has caused us to largely ignore these dire warnings, continuing to use paper coffee cups and burn fossil fuels like there’s no tomorrow. At this rate, there might not be.

There are of course limits to individual action (and carbon footprints are a sham). Wider policy changes and changing company behaviour are essential to achieving true sustainability, with a 2019 report finding that just 20 companies were responsible for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions. A 2017 study found that 71 percent of global emissions were generated by just 100 companies, highlighting the importance of pressuring companies to go green. Sadly, almost no progress had been made in the years since.

Even so, if you're looking for tiny ways to show big companies that people do actually care about not destroying the planet, we can help. Here are six embarrassingly simple ways you can dial up your own sustainable lifestyle and lessen your personal impact, but which you still won’t do because they're bothersome.

1. Use a bidet

Many of us are comfortable wiping our asses with toilet paper, smearing our feces across tissue like disgusting abstract expressionists. However, if we are open and willing to learn, there is a better way. Muslims, Asians, and Europeans have been way ahead on bathroom hygiene for ages, and it’s time everyone else caught up — for both the environment and our buttholes.

Not only do bidets give you a more thorough, hygienic clean than toilet paper, they’re also more sustainable. Exactly how much water is used to manufacture toilet paper depends upon the method, with estimates ranging from six to 37 gallons for a single roll. However, most conclude that bidets consume significantly less, at around one eighth of a gallon per use.

Further, toilet paper requires plant matter and chlorine, a negative environmental impact bidets don’t share. As of 2010, the equivalent of roughly 270,000 trees were being turned into toilet paper every day, significantly contributing to deforestation. Growing demand for softer roll has since seen the number of trees cut down for our butts grow, as manufacturers use less recycled paper.

Overall, bidets seem like a much less wasteful choice. However, Prof. Tommy Wiedmann, professor of sustainability research at UNSW Sydney, noted that the positive impact of the bidet would depend on how people use it. Blasting your anus like a fire hose for an hour is unlikely to do anyone any good.

2. Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth

As a citizen of perpetually drought-stricken Australia, learning that people leave the tap running while brushing their teeth was like learning people fertilise their lawns with wagyu beef. The EPA states that leaving the faucet on can waste eight gallons of water per day. That’s a ridiculous amount of precious liquid literally going down the drain.

It’s hard to break habits, but there’s absolutely no reason to continue this one. Both Wiedmann and sustainability researcher Dr. Lisa Heinze told Mashable you should definitely turn off the tap while taking care of your dental hygiene. Though water is technically a renewable resource, there's a limited amount that's fresh and unpolluted, and it isn’t always available everywhere. Saving what we have is important.

With U.S. groundwater being depleted, climate change prompting less rainfall and more evaporation, and population growth increasing demand, an American water crisis is an impending reality. The EPA predicted at least 40 U.S. states would experience water shortages by the mid-2020s, while Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, California, and Idaho continue to use more water than they receive every year. Half the global population will be under severe water stress by 2030, so it’s vital to conserve what’s available now.

Saving water will save you money, too, in case you need a more capitalist motivation to care about the world.

3. Use public transportation

Complaining about public transportation is a universal experience that unites us all. Buses are always late, trains are unspeakably filthy, and both are packed with coughing strangers who don’t believe in personal space. We jump at the chance to avoid public transport whenever we can. Unfortunately, embracing that contemptible subway is one of the best things you can do to save the planet.

"Transport is still the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, after the electricity and energy sector, representing 15 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions," Dr. Chris De Gruyter told Mashable. De Gruyter is a research fellow at RMIT University’s Centre for Urban Research in Melbourne.

"In the United States, half of all trips are three miles or less, but 72 percent of these are by car; for trips of one mile or less, 60 percent are by car," De Gruyter said.

SEE ALSO: How to shrink your carbon footprint when you travel

Wiedmann considers using public transport "the most beneficial to help with curbing climate change" out of all the actions on this list, "especially when combined with having no car at all." Research published in 2020 found living car-free has some of the highest potential to mitigate a person’s carbon emissions, even better than switching to a vegan diet. According to the EPA, the average car emits around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year.

If you absolutely must drive, Heinze advised using a car-share program rather than owning your own. Babet de Groot, a Ph.D. candidate studying ocean governance and waste management at the University of Sydney, further suggested carbon offsetting when such travel is unavoidable.

"Carbon-offsetting is the purchase of compensation for emissions generated, which is used to fund emissions-reduction elsewhere," de Groot said. "Plant trees to offset your carbon emissions via Offset Earth [now known as Ecologi] or Carbon Neutral Charitable Fund."

4. Stop buying bottled water

Filling a bottle with tap water and carrying it with you only requires a tiny bit of forethought and prep. Even so, countless people still refuse to do this bare minimum, preferring to buy single-use plastic bottles of water they’ll throw in the trash by nightfall. This is the type of hedonism that will doom humankind, and we will deserve it.

"Annual production of plastic bottles is projected to reach 600 billion by 2021," de Groot told Mashable. "That is 600 billion bottles, in addition to almost all plastic produced to date, that will virtually persist in the environment forever."

SEE ALSO: 4 ways to reduce your plastic use

According to de Groot, humans produced over 7,800 million tons of new plastic by 2015. Of that, approximately 79 percent has gone into landfill or the natural environment. It takes over 500 years for plastic to degrade into smaller particles, but it continues to destroy the environment even then. "These microplastics risk being ingested by wildlife and transferred up the food chain where their effects on human health are yet to be known," de Groot told Mashable.

You don’t need plastic bottles of Himalayan spring water blessed by a 108-year-old monk who doesn’t use YouTube. If you’re really concerned about purity, just boil and filter your tap water.

5. Ignore ‘best before’ dates on food

Eating food past its manufacturer mandated “best before” date feels like dancing with the devil in the pale moonlight. Food poisoning is never fun, and defying those authoritatively stamped numbers may seem too close to spitting at the gastrointestinal gods. However, strict adherence to these dates is actually unnecessary, and only serves to create equally unnecessary food waste.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that, with the exception of infant formula, food is still safe to consume after the provided date passes — as long as it shows no signs of spoilage such as "an off odor, flavor or texture." Eat, drink, and be merry. There is no uniform standard regarding product dating in the U.S., so the numbers largely mean nothing. "Use by" and "best before" dates only indicate when food is at its best quality, not when it is safe to eat.

"Confusion over the meaning of dates applied to food products can result in consumers discarding wholesome food," says the USDA.

SEE ALSO: 6 ways to reduce food waste, even during a pandemic

"The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimated that industrialised countries generate approximately 95 to 115 kgs [209-254 lbs] of consumer food waste per capita," de Groot told Mashable. "This contributes to climate change in the form of methane emissions emanating from landfills and carbon emissions associated with production, processing and transport."

Learn to trust your senses rather than uncritically obey "best before" dates, and you can help reduce some of that waste.

6. Vote

Voting is a chore, and not one that feels particularly rewarding in the moment. Standing in line for hours just to tick a few little boxes might seem irritating, like lost time that might have been spent working or binging the latest Korean drama. However, just like any other chore, it’s important that you do it anyway — especially if you want to keep your environment habitable.

"If we want the right conditions, policies, rules, and support structures to be able to live sustainably, we need our leaders to be part of the solutions," Dr. Simon Lockrey told Mashable. A sustainable design researcher at RMIT University, Lockery is also a board member of the International Sustainable Development Research Society. "Our votes matter, so we should be using that mechanism to send them a message. The old way is not necessarily the best way. By voting, or when we really need to, protesting, we can send these types of messages."

"[Individual changes] should be a starting point to increased action in our communities, governments, schools and workplaces."

Practically all government policies impact the environment in some way, but Lockery notes some of the most significant issues concern energy, waste, forestry, water, and agriculture. These affect "big ticket items for living sustainably," such as climate change, threats to habitats or certain species, and environmental toxicity.

SEE ALSO: How to advocate for climate change action

"What we should be pressuring governments to support are policies that build energy systems that are clean; that drive less greenhouse gas production in industry; that protect flora and fauna; and eradicate toxic materials/chemicals from our biosphere," said Lockery.

"Policies need to do this internationally, at an industry level, as well as support us as individuals to contribute, such as supporting household renewable energy, or enabling a waste system that goes beyond household recycling to being regenerative or truly circular," he added.

Of course, voting isn’t easy for everyone. Voter suppression remains a widespread problem in the U.S., with many potential voters unable to access polling booths on election day (which isn't even a national holiday). However, if you're privileged enough that you can cast your ballot with ease, it’s one of the most important things you can do to save the planet.

"Voting and protesting are benefits of a democracy, and thus are good ways to call for change," said Lockery. "We should cherish these activities, as many don't have these options available to them."

"Overall, we in the developed world are simply consuming too much; too many products we don’t really need, too many holiday flights, et cetera," Wiedmann told Mashable. "Therefore, in addition to doing these 'easy' things, we should generally look at reducing our overall consumption, by buying less stuff, flying less, living in smaller houses, maybe growing our own food."

Of course, not everyone will find these suggestions feasible. As Heinze notes, "You can't realistically take public transportation if your commute will take three-times as long."

"This does not mean we should not embrace individual changes, but that they should be a starting point to increased action in our communities, governments, schools and workplaces," Heinze continued. "If you're looking to make the biggest impact on the climate for the least amount of effort, a great place to start is divesting your [retirement fund] from fossil fuels, and encouraging your institutions to do the same."

UPDATE: Jan. 29, 2024, 4:27 p.m. AEDT This article was originally published in July 2020, and has since been updated in Jan. 2024.

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to Micmonster AI Voiceovers is on sale for £47, saving you 49% on list price.

While you may have the magic touch for posting on social media or telling stories, you might not have a voice like Morgan Freeman. When it comes to content creation, having a clear and compelling voice is key, but hiring professionals can get expensive.

Some AI tools sound overly robotic, but Micmonster has customisable tools for pronunciation and inflections that make the range of voice options sound more natural. You can get a lifetime subscription to Micmonster for just £47.

No matter what kind of content you’re producing — TikTok posts, Instagram Reels, or self-publishing a book — adding a voice element can increase your reach while engaging your audience on a deeper level. You could record your own voice, but that has its own limitations like sound quality and versatility.

Micmonster opens up a whole new world of possibilities with over 600 AI-generated voices in 140 languages. Choose one that sounds similar to your own, or select distinctly different feminine and masculine voices to use in the same project.

Creation is simple — write or paste in your text transcript and select a voice. Use built-in tools to adjust the tone, rate, pitch, or emphasis, or add pauses, whatever you need to make the audio adapt to your content. And, if the AI is mispronouncing names, you can also fine-tune pronunciation.

This Micmonster lifetime subscription includes a commercial license, which means that you can use it in content that you profit from. With the ability to convert 12,000 characters to speech at once, you could turn a voice-over into a video narration, podcast episode, or audiobook.

Make the content of your dreams with a lifetime subscription to Micmonster AI voice-overs, now only £47 — the lowest price online — no coupon needed.

Opens in a new window Credit: Micmonster Micmonster AI Voiceovers (Lifetime Subscription) £47 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

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. 29'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 solution to yesterday's Wordle.

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:

Long legs.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter G appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

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 #954 is...

LEGGY.

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.

In True Detective: Night Country, the rift is growing between Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and her stepdaughter Leah (Isabella Star LaBlanc). In episode 1, the pair argued over a video the teen made with her girlfriend. Then, episode 2 brought an explosive argument over a traditional chin tattoo, which brought Kayla Prior (Anna Lambe) and her grandmother (Doreen Nutaaq Simmonds) into the fray. In the third episode, Danvers pushes this fight further, forcing Leah to wipe the temporary tattoo off her chin. More than a battle between mother and child or different generations, this is a white woman in authority literally wiping away the culture of Iñupiaq people, of which Leah and Kayla are a part. Where can these women go from here?

Mashable sat down with Indigenous actresses Isabella Star LaBlanc and Anna Lambe to talk about this conflict in True Detective: Night Country. The conversation expanded into what it was like working with Jodie Foster and how writer/director Issa López relied on guidance from producers Princess Daazhraii Johnson and Cathy Tagnak Rexford, who convened a counsel of Iñupiaq women to offer guidance as the series took shape. 

SEE ALSO: How 'True Detective: Night Country' brought the corpsicle to life What does the chin tattoo in True Detective: Night Country mean?  As Leah, Isabella Star LaBlanc regards her temporary chin tattoo in "True Detective: Night Country." Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

For LaBlanc, the vertical lines drawn on Leah's chin "means so much personally about how she sees herself and what matters to her." The actress added, "But I think it's also just an amazing way for her to feel connected to these people, to Kayla, to her grandma, and to feel like she has a place and purpose and people that care about her. It's a very strong symbol of connection to her."

Leah's dad died years before, leaving her in Danvers's care. "They're the only family they have," LaBlanc said of the strained mother-daughter bond. "I see their relationship as two people who are always missing each other. They're just totally on different pages at all times. And they have a lot of love for each other, but they can't seem to say that or see that in each other." 

SEE ALSO: 'Frybread Face and Me' serves up heartwarming Indigenous coming-of-age representation

However, in Kayla's home, which she shares with husband Peter (Finn Bennett) and son Darwin (Xavier Osmanson), Leah is embraced with affection and instruction on her Iñupiaq heritage, including the temporary chin tattoo. Speaking to the argument over the ink in episode 2, Lambe noted Kayla was raised close to Iñupiaq culture through her grandmother's care. So, for Danvers to come into their home, "a safe space for a young person to reconnect and to grow," and aggressively reject this cultural tradition is unacceptable. "Danvers is not only disrespectful to her family and to Kayla in general, but to the Iñupiaq as a whole," Lambe said. "It is so offensive, and it definitely just further drives the wedge between them." 

There's a sense in the series Danvers is trying to use her white privilege to protect her stepdaughter from the fate of Annie K, as episode three cuts from Leah wiping away the tattoo to Danvers looking over post-mortem photos of Annie K — who has a chin tattoo. However, this fearful and short-sighted approach to protection could risk losing Leah in another sense. "Leah's learning so much about her community and about being Iñupiaq," LaBlanc explained. "She's also really struggling with this white stepmom who just doesn't get it in the way that she does." 

How True Detective: Night Country worked toward authenticity in Inuit representation Anna Lambe as Kayla Prior in "True Detective: Night Country." Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

Showrunner Issa López, who is Mexican, worked in collaboration with Inuit artists, consultants, and advisers on Season 4. Iñupiaq artist Sarah Whalen-Lunn was brought in to create tattoos, signs, and graffiti around the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska. Producers Cathy Tagnak Rexford and Princess Daazhraii Johnson brought together an advisory council made up of Iñupiaq women who consulted on the production. López also invited her cast to bring themselves and their experiences into their characters as well. 

LaBlanc said of López, "Issa made a ton of space. She's so fabulous…She made time before we started shooting to sit with me, to really talk through Leah. And she was like, 'I don't ever want Leah to be something that you don't think is truthful. So, let me know.' And I got to put my fingerprints on the character." Some of those fingerprints include a passion for activism. 

"I come from a family of activists," LaBlanc said. "I'm from Minneapolis, which is where the American Indian Movement started back in the '60s. And so I felt excited to honor this legacy of Indigenous people being activists and being heard. I felt like Issa was really excited about that and really interested in collaborating and talking about my own personal relationship to activism." 

LaBlanc valued the consultants as resources when it came to the specifics of portraying an Iñupiaq character. "It's always really important to me that I'm never taking for granted that I know how to tell a story, even if it's an Indigenous character," she said. "It's like, as a Dakota person, I always want to be respectful. And so I really just tried to defer to our Alaska Native Advisory Council, to Princess and Tagnak, and to really make space for them to guide the way that I tell the story."

For Lambe, an Inuit actor from Canada, she relished the sense of community that came from the cast, consultants, and producers. "It was really great, like, working together and being able to talk and kind of relate and connect," she said. "There's a level of understanding and Indigeneity and empathy and compassion. And that's a really beautiful thing in Indigenous film. Being Inuk myself, it wasn't too difficult a bridge for me to gap." However, she noted, "Being Inuk and Iñupiaq aren't necessarily the same thing at all. To have Princess and Tagnak and Nutaaq [Doreen Nutaaq Simmonds], who played my grandma, on set to be able to talk and being able to really find a common ground on that was really beautiful." 

LaBlanc also felt embraced by this on-set community, adding, "I felt so grateful to have Anna with me. She's like my Arctic relative. I felt like I got new family through [the show] and a new appreciation for those northern relatives." 

Isabella Star LaBlanc and Anna Lambe on working with Jodie Foster  Jodie Foster as Liz Danvers in "True Detective: Night Country." Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

Asked about the challenges of shooting a new season for this star-studded, highly acclaimed series — on location in chilly Iceland, no less — LaBlanc answered, "I was terrified. I was on that plane to Iceland like, 'I'm gonna get there, and they're gonna recast me immediately.' That was my internal monologue. So, all of that was terrifying." However, her fears were put to ease as she finally came face-to-face with her onscreen family. 

"As soon as I met Anna and everyone, you could just relax into it," LaBlanc recalled. "Like, I was terrified to act opposite Jodie Foster. That was just, like, not something I thought I had in the cards. And then we just start doing scenes with Jodie and you're like, 'Oh, she's amazing and chill, and it's very fun to do.' A lot of [the challenges in making the show] felt larger than life, and then you do them and you're like, 'Well, I did it. It's possible.'"

Lambe confessed she was likewise nervous about performing opposite the iconic American actress. A field trip Jodie proposed helped put her at ease. "Jodie organized us planting some trees," Lambe explained. "And it was like, 'All right, this is really chill, and everyone's very forgiving and kind." 

From the experience, Lambe could see how the cast and crew could "lean into one another," adding, "It was all around was such a beautiful experience. And I wish I could do it, you know, again and again and again. Because as much as it was intimidating in the first, you know, 10 minutes, the rest of it was smooth sailing." 

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

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 29'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: Advertising

• Green: Valentine's Day is coming up

• Blue: Tennis jargon

• Purple: Types of fruit

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: Do Some Marketing For

• Green: Romatinc Twosome

• Blue: Tennis Scoring Terms

• Purple: Words With "Fruit"

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 Connections #232 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Do Some Marketing For: PITCH, PLUG, PROMOTE, PUSH

• Romantic Twosome: COUPLE, ITEM, PAIR, THING

• Tennis Scoring Terms: AD, ALL, DEUCE, LOVE

• Words With "Fruit": BREAD, DRAGON, JACK, PASSION

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.

Ring, a maker of internet-connected cameras that is owned by Amazon, said the police could no longer ask people to share video recordings using the company’s app, Neighbors.

X, formerly known at Twitter, is building its content moderation team back up, but not completely.

According to Bloomberg, the company is hiring 100 employees for a "Trust and Safety center of excellence" in Austin, TX. After Elon Musk took over the platform in 2022, he laid off around 80 percent of the company and gutted the content moderation team. The new team will focus on enforcing the platform's rules around violence and hate speech, and specifically combatting CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation).

SEE ALSO: X / Twitter purges then reinstates journalists, podcasters, and leftist accounts critical of Elon Musk

The timing of this report comes days before X CEO Linda Yaccarino is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing on protecting children online. On Friday, Jan. 26, X published a blog post outlining its work to "tackle Child Sexual Exploitation" on the platform.

As a self-professed "free-speech absolutist," Musk bought the platform to create a digital town square by rolling back policies and efforts which he believed hindered free speech. However, this soon turned X into an even more toxic place, which caused big ticket advertisers to leave the platform and X's valuation to plummet.

Is the development of a content moderation headquarters the sign of positive change for the platform? According to 2020 NYU Stern report, Twitter used to have around 1,500 content moderators, so a team of 100 is peanuts compared to what it used to be. No doubt, Yaccarino will have more to say about it at the hearing on Jan. 31.

OpenAI, Google, and other AI companies will soon have to inform the government about developing foundation models, thanks to the Defense Production Act. According to Wired, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo shared new details about this impending requirement at an event held by Stanford University's Hoover Institute last Friday.

"We're using the Defense Production Act... to do a survey requiring companies to share with us every time they train a new large language model, and share with us the results—the safety data—so we can review it,” said Raimondo.

SEE ALSO: Fake Biden robocall creator suspended from AI voice startup

The new rules are part of President Biden's sweeping AI executive order announced last October. Amongst the broad set of mandates, the order requires companies developing any foundation model "that poses a serious risk to national security, national economic security, or national public health and safety," to notify the federal government and share the results of its safety testing. Foundation models are models like OpenAI's GPT-4 and Google's Gemini that power generative AI chatbots. However, GPT-4 is likely below the threshold of computing power that requires government oversight.

Future foundation models, ones that have unprecedented computing power, are the main concern because of their massive potential national security risk. That's why this mandate falls in the territory of the Defense Production Act, which was last invoked in 2021 by President Biden to increase the production of pandemic-related protective equipment and supplies.

At the event, Raimondo also addressed another aspect of the executive order which would require US cloud computing providers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft to disclose foreign use of their services.

"We’re beginning the process of requiring US cloud companies to tell us every time a non-US entity uses their cloud to train a large language model," said Raimondo, per Bloomberg.

The secretary of commerce didn't disclose when these requirements would go into effect. But an announcement is expected very soon since the deadline is today, Jan. 28.

You know something has reached its cultural peak when it's spoofed on Saturday Night Live and last night, the Stanley Cup had its moment.

SEE ALSO: The pink Starbucks x Stanley cup is going for $200 on eBay. Shop these dupes instead.

Host Dakota Johnson alongside cast members Chloe Fineman and Heidi Gardner play "virgins who also have six kids" and spend a lot of time at Target. You may remember the "Big Dumb Hat" sketch from an earlier season, but this time it's all about the "Big Dumb Cup" as the ultimate TikTok-famous accessory.

But the Big Dumb Cup isn't just a $60 status symbol (the real Stanley Cup retails at $45). It can do so much more like hold an entire bottle of Josh wine and be used as an air-fryer. Watch the sketch to find out.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for January 28 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for January 28

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024:

AcrossStunt bike sport, for short

• The answer is BMX.

Title with an apostrophe directly in the middle

• The answer is Ma'am.

"___ Karenina" (Tolstoy novel)

• The answer is Anna.

Fluffy Indian bread

• The answer is Naan.

Stay right there!

• The answer is Inn.

Battery for a TV remote

• The answer is AAA.

DownFruit depicted by the circled letters

• The answer is Banana.

Spanish for "tomorrow"

• The answer is Manana.

Marvel Comics mutant

• The answer is X-Man.

Craze

• The answer is Mania.