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SAVE $60: As of Jan. 29, the Apple AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation are on sale for just $119 at Amazon and Walmart. That's 34% off their list price and about $20 away from their best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation $119.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $60.00   Get Deal

It's not every day that you can score a pair of noise-cancelling AirPods for under $120. So if you're in the market for a new pair, we highly recommend adding the fourth-generation earbuds to your cart ASAP.

As of Jan. 29, the Apple AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation are on sale for just $119 at both Amazon and Walmart. That's a pretty impressive $60 discount or 34% off their list price. It's also only $20 away from their lowest price ever, which they hit during Cyber Week.

A great value even at full price, the AirPods 4 offer personalized spatial audio, voice isolation, Siri interactions, improved bass, mids, and highs over their predecessor, a comfy and snug fit, and a more compact charging case that's easier to locate. Mashable's reviewer noted that the fit is surprisingly snug and actually stays put, the noise-cancellation is "elite," and the sound is "like honey."

They'll last you about five hours per charge — up to 30 with the charging case — making them a solid daily driver. While we still think the AirPods Pro 3 are the best earbuds for Apple users, the AirPods 4 with ANC are the better choice if you're looking to save some money. And since they're 34% off, they're an even better value.

SAVE $599.68: As of Jan. 29, the Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV is on sale for $898.32 at Amazon. That's 40% off its list price and a new best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV $898.32 at Amazon
$1,498 Save $599.68   Get Deal

It's officially one of the best times to upgrade your TV, y'all. Not only is it a huge season for sports, with the NFL postseason wrapping up and the 2026 Winter Olympics just a week away. But it's also one of the best times to score a major discount on a 2025 TV.

As of Jan. 29, the Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV is on sale for only $898.32 at Amazon. That's 40% or nearly $600 off its list price of $1,498 and a new best price on record. This discount actually beats its Cyber Week price by nearly $100.

The 2025 Hisense U8 TV is remarkably vibrant and colorful, making it a great choice for watching sports, gaming, or immersing yourself in movies and TV shows. CNET (Mashable's sister site, also owned by Ziff Davis) reviewer Ty Pendlebury called it the brightest TV he's ever reviewed, but noted that "it complements that brightness with excellent contrast and well-saturated colors." Specs-wise, it boasts 5000 nits peak brightness, up to 5,600 local dimming zones, a 165Hz native refresh rate, and support for HDR in Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG.

The Google TV smart platform provides a streamlined interface to navigate every major streaming service, offers Google Cast (by default) as well as Apple AirPlay, and features built-in Google Assistant for hands-free TV and smart home device control. You can ask it to search for content, recommend your next watch, set alarms, check your doorbell camera, and more.

The Hisense U8 is typically a little pricey at nearly $1,500, but with a 40% discount, it's a total steal. If you're due for an upgrade, now's the time.

SAVE $225: As of Jan. 29, get the Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Darth Vader Chronograph Watch for $225 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $450. That's a discount of 50% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Darth Vader Chronograph Watch $225 at Amazon
$450 Save $225   Get Deal

If you're interested in buying a watch but aren't interested in the "smart" side of it, there are some very stylish timepieces out there. In fact, we've found one that not only looks great for everyday wear, but it'll attract Star Wars fans everywhere. And you can get it right now for the lowest price we've seen, which is a huge plus.

As of Jan. 29, get the Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Darth Vader Chronograph Watch for $225 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $450. That's $225 off and a discount of 50%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is now $250 off on Amazon. That's $50 better than its Black Friday deal.

This 44mm chronograph watch is all about Darth Vader, with the iconic character's helmet, a TIE fighter, and additional fun Star Wars details adorning the screen and sub-dials. Plus, its luminous crimson hour markers give you a familiar Sith glow like Vader's lightsaber.

But the coolest part is that this watch is powered by Citizen's Eco-Drive tech, so you'll never need a battery for it. It'll run and run, so you can wear it to your heart's delight without having to pay for one. Coupled with 100M water resistance and a fun black case that also features Darth Vader and you've got yourself an extremely stylish gift for any Star Wars fan.

If you're ready to pick one up, be sure to get it while it's on sale, because it likely won't stick around at this price.

SAVE $86.01: The Bluetti Elite 10 mini portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $112.99, down from the list price of $199. That's a 43% discount and a new record-low price at Amazon.

Bluetti Elite 10 mini portable power station $112.99 at Amazon
$199 Save $86.01   See It at Amazon

There's a unique heart-sinking feel we get these days when our phones go dead. Try as we might to avoid hitting a dreaded zero-battery phone, it can happen when the power goes out or if we're off the grid for an extended period of time like summer camping trips. Instead of experiencing this pain, upgrading to a portable power station ensures you always have extra power on hand, and there's an ultra portable model on sale today.

As of Jan. 29, the Bluetti Elite 10 mini portable power station is on sale for just $112.99 at Amazon in both black and meadow green, marked down from the usual price of $199. Today's sale means you can save $86.01 on the mini portable power station. That's a 43% discount and a new record-low price at Amazon.

The Bluetti Elite 10 is a tiny portable power station that offers 128Wh of battery. In normal terms, that means you'll be able to recharge a phone about six times or a laptop twice. While that's not a huge amount of power, it'll be perfect to keep on your nightstand during a power outage to have your phone recharging and the bedside lamp on.

SEE ALSO: Last chance to score the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station for under $430

Another major bonus of being mini is that the Bluetti Elite 10 weighs just four pounds. That means it's super easy to carry around the house should the power go out. It's also a practical option to bringing along to the campground to keep phones charged.

While it's small in size, it packs in two USB-C ports, two USB-A, and one AC port. Recharging options include standard wall charging or solar with a 100W max panel. It'll take about 70 minutes to recharge with wall charging or about 90 minutes with a 100W solar panel.

Ensure all your small gadgets stay charged up during the next power outage or on the next camping trip thanks to the Bluetti Elite 10 mini portable power station. It's on sale for the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon, so this is a great time to make the upgrade.

We're only days away from the Full Moon now, so when we look up there is plenty to see.

Keep reading to find out exactly what's on display.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, Jan. 29, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 85% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

You don't need visual aids to see anything on the Moon's surface tonight, in fact, with just your naked eye you should be able to spot the Mare Imbrium, Copernicus Crater, and the Mare Fecunditatis. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Gassendi Crater, Apennine Mountains, and Posidonius Crater. With a telescope, enjoy glimpses of the Linne Crater, Descartes Highlands, and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the lunar cycle lasts around 29.5 days. This is how long the Moon takes to travel once around Earth. Over that period, it passes through eight recognised phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the portion that appears lit changes as the Moon moves along its orbit. The varying amount of sunlight reaching the Moon is what makes it appear full, partially illuminated, or almost invisible at different points in the cycle. The eight lunar phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Consider it impeccable timing: just days after Alex Honnold pulled off another completely unhinged free-solo climbing feat, a video game arrives for anyone who watched that and thought, "I want to do that too, but preferably without the risk of death." That game is Cairn, and instead of a skyscraper, it gives you a mountain.

Cairn is the latest release from French developer The Game Bakers, and it may be the first survival climbing game of its kind. Rather than treating climbing as a fun co-op game or a quick gimmick, Cairn commits fully to the act itself, presenting a simulation-style ascent of the fictional Mount Kami, a peak no climber has ever successfully summited. That distinction doesn’t deter the game’s protagonist Aava, an experienced and well-known climber who takes on the mountain while also running from unresolved problems in her life.

If you’ve played Peak, the recent co-op climbing game built around chaotic teamwork and shared problem-solving, Cairn feels like its solitary opposite. Where Peak turns climbing into a social exercise defined by coordination, communication, and the occasional disastrous misstep, Cairn strips all of that away, leaving you alone with the rock, your stamina, and the consequences of every decision. It’s a quieter, more deliberate take on climbing.

For now, the narrative framing is secondary. What matters is the climb, and Cairn delivers one of the most compelling gameplay experiences I’ve had this year. Yes, it’s still January, but the highs I hit while playing Cairn on PlayStation 5 will be difficult to top in the months ahead.

To the top Credit: The Game Bakers

As mentioned at the beginning, Cairn is a survival climbing game where players control Aava one limb at a time as she ascends various cliff faces and rock walls on her way to the summit of Mount Kami. The mountain carries a grim reputation, littered with the remains of dead climbers and haunted by a mysterious population of mountain folk who were forced to abandon their homes and pursue life on the ground, or as they call it, the "horizontal world."

Beyond the meticulous climbing mechanics, Cairn also asks players to manage Aava’s basic survival needs, including thirst, hunger, and warmth. This means cooking and eating meals cobbled together from materials found on the mountain, sometimes scavenged from the gear left behind by less fortunate climbers, and drinking water sourced from springs, caves, and other pockets scattered across a centuries-old peak. This is the survival side of Cairn’s survival climbing, and it weaves directly into the climb itself.

While climbing is the clear focus, Cairn does have a story, albeit a sparse one. Aava spends most of the game alone, accompanied only by a climbing robot she’s had since childhood and stubbornly refuses to name. Along the way, she encounters a handful of other characters, the most notable being Marco, a younger and often mouthy climber who clearly idolizes Aava, a well-known figure in the climbing world.

Climbing Mount Kami is no small feat, and the game allows players to approach it in two primary ways. The first is free solo climbing, while the second is a more assisted method that makes use of ropes, pitons, and bolts. For the most part, you’ll end up using a mix of both approaches, largely because you have a limited number of pitons available for you to jam into cracks to create a secure handhold as you climb each face.

Credit: The Game Bakers

Players can climb almost anything, but the game subtly guides you through the cracks, crevices, and narrow ledges etched into the rock. You can place Aava’s hands and feet almost anywhere along a wall, but those cracks and small outcroppings offer the most reliable grip. A stamina system governs how long she can hold a position, as shown by the visible shaking of her arms and legs when she’s placed in a poor grip or an awkward body position. At the press of a button, Aava can take a brief rest to recover stamina, but you’re limited to doing this only twice per climb. Let any of her limbs tremble for too long and she’ll lose her grip and fall.

Depending on how you routed the ascent, that fall might stop at a piton with Aava dangling from a rope, or send her all the way back down to where you started, which can easily mean death. If you don't want to belay, safely securing Avaa to a piton with rope, stamina can be regained by situating her in chill, optimal positions and then waiting for her to calm back down. This is where I want to credit the sound design of the game, as you can tell when Avaa is better rested by the lack of deep breathes she takes before taking a deep sigh to signify she's ready to go again.

I fell 18 times in this one spot. Credit: The Game Bakers

When planning a route, you can press L1 on PlayStation 5 or Tab on PC to bring up a climb overview, giving you a sense of the potential paths upward. Pitons can be placed directly into the rock through a quick-time event that feels similar to hitting a perfect reload in Gears of War. Time it perfectly and the piton locks in securely. Miss the mark and it can break outright. Land somewhere in between and it becomes twisted in the rock. I didn’t see the full consequences of a poorly placed piton too often, but given how frequently you’ll fall, it’s clear you want those anchors as solid as possible.

This system creates a straightforward risk-reward equation: how much of the route can you realistically free solo before burning a piton. Early on, playing it safe feels like the obvious choice, but the higher you climb, the more apparent it becomes that the pitons you brought with you are all you’re getting. After completing climbs, Aava’s robot companion can recover pitons for reuse, but only if you’ve managed your route well enough to survive the ascent in the first place. Broken pitons recovered by the climbing bot can be used to create a new one — it's two broken pitons for one new piton, so it isn't a lose one, get one back situation. You start the game with six; after my eight hours in the game, I had four to use.

There are also some rock faces that are too dense to insert a piton, and for that, you need to use Troglodyte pitons, which are indestructible and can be planted on any rock. After placing a piton you can belay off them, which you can do to recover stamina, rope down to certain points, or even access your backpack if you need a quick bite or drink.

Resting up Dinner time. Credit: The Game Bakers

Cairn also features a day-and-night cycle, along with harsh weather conditions that can dramatically affect a climb. Heavy winds can knock Aava off balance mid-ascent, while rain reduces grip and makes even familiar routes more dangerous. These effects can be mitigated through food and drink that temporarily fortify Aava, preventing her meters from depleting, or by using chalk to improve hand grip. Chalk is thankfully abundant, as it can be replenished by recycling trash generated from consumed items or found scattered across the mountain. You hand that trash to Aava’s climbing robot, and after a short amount of in-game time, the chalk is ready to use.

After a long climb, resting becomes essential. Players can pitch a tent at designated save points scattered throughout the mountain. These camps let you cook food, craft new pitons, organize your backpack, and, most importantly, heal Aava’s fingers. Finger condition plays a crucial role in maintaining grip, and as you progress, her fingers will develop cracks and cuts that need to be bandaged individually.

Healing is a surprisingly mundane process, requiring you to slowly wrap each finger one at a time by rotating the right stick on your PlayStation controller. It’s tedious, sometimes frustratingly so, but it aligns with the game’s broader themes of sacrifice and endurance. Healing items are scarce, forcing hard choices. You can fully bandage every finger, or focus only on the worst injuries and push forward. It’s a neat system, even if it occasionally feels unnecessary.

Credit: The Game Bakers

Cooking, by contrast, is simple and intuitive. Aava uses a small pot, which first needs to be filled with water and heated before ingredients can be added. Flowers can be brewed into teas that provide various fortifications, while fish and other ingredients can be cooked into full meals. Each option restores thirst or hunger respectively, with the exception of soups which do both. Any water not stored in your flask can be carried in bottles in your backpack, which can be found throughout the map. Both bottles and flasks can be refilled at springs, ponds, and fountains scattered across the mountain as you work your way toward the summit.

When everything is set, you can continue to climb or take a break, which will fast-forward time to whenever you feel comfortable going again. I try my absolute best not to climb at night unless necessary, as it's hard to see, even with Avaa's staff light, and sleeping helps Avaa recover. If none of this appeals to you, though, there's a casual mode that makes the survival elements an afterthought. This mode turns off Cairn's survival elements such as hunger, gives Aava infinite climbing gear, and lets you rewind and try again after falling.

The climbing in Cairn is genuinely fun, a feeling that’s only amplified by how striking the game looks. Cairn’s art style sits somewhere between a graphic novel and a minimalist animated film. Characters and environments are rendered with clean lines, flattened shapes, and painterly textures, giving the world a hand-drawn, almost storybook quality. The color palette leans muted and earthy, with soft gradients and atmospheric lighting that emphasize altitude, cold, and isolation rather than raw spectacle.

The UI follows that same philosophy. Menus and overlays are deliberately stylized to feel tactile and diegetic, with rough-edged frames and sketched iconography that blend naturally into the world. Overall, the game’s visual identity reinforces its themes of solitude and endurance. The art never distracts from the climb; instead, it lends every moment a quiet, contemplative weight that builds as the journey continues.

Credit: The Game Bakers

That said, Cairn isn’t without technical rough edges, and some of its performance issues can pull you out of the experience, especially during climbs. There are moments where you fall into a genuine rhythm, carefully placing each limb and steadily working your way upward. The game automatically selects which of Aava’s four limbs to move, though you can override it manually. That system occasionally breaks immersion, with limbs awkwardly morphing through one another and creating strange, almost rubbery animations. As you get closer to the summit, things can get even messier, with environmental objects briefly glitching or wobbling in ways that feel unintentional. The game never crashed during my playthrough, but there were times it felt perilously close.

Beyond the main ascent, Cairn offers several side objectives discovered through letters and maps Aava finds along the way. These usually send you off to climb different sections of the mountain in search of toys, trinkets, or rare items, including specialized pitons. According to the developers, a typical run should take around 15 hours, closer to 18 if you’re aiming to see everything, and upwards of 30 hours if you tackle the hardcore free solo mode. I powered through the game in just over eight hours, which left me wondering what corners I may have cut to finish so much faster than intended.

There’s a subtle Metroidvania-like structure to how progression works. Instead of traditional upgrades or leveling systems, you unlock better gear organically as you climb, including indestructible pitons, expanded chalk capacity, and tools like a pinwheel that warns you of incoming wind. It’s a smart approach that makes progression feel earned through exploration rather than menu management, and it fits neatly into Cairn’s broader philosophy of learning the mountain as you ascend it.

Is Cairn worth it? Credit: The Game Bakers

The game’s title is a fitting reflection of its themes. A cairn, in the real world, is a stack of stones placed to mark a trail, commemorate the dead, or signal that someone has passed through before. In Cairn, the mountain is littered with similar reminders of those who attempted the climb and never returned, from abandoned gear to the stories left behind in notes and letters. Like a real cairn, these traces don’t offer comfort so much as context. They are quiet acknowledgments of effort, failure, and persistence, reinforcing the idea that every ascent is built on the attempts of those who came before, even if the summit remains unconquered.

Despite some rough edges, Cairn is absolutely worth playing if you’re drawn to games that value systems, atmosphere, and mechanical tension over constant spectacle. Its climbing mechanics are unlike anything else out right now, demanding patience, planning, and a willingness to accept failure as part of the experience. When everything clicks, Cairn delivers some of the most meditative and rewarding moments I’ve had in a game in years.

That said, this is not a game for everyone. The deliberate pacing, occasional technical hiccups, and hands-on survival mechanics will likely frustrate players looking for fast feedback loops or constant narrative momentum. The finger-bandaging, limited resources, and frequent falls can feel punishing, especially early on.

But for players willing to meet it on its own terms, Cairn offers a game that trusts you to learn through repetition and consequence, and one that finds beauty in exhaustion, solitude, and persistence. It’s imperfect, sometimes awkward, and occasionally janky, but it’s also thoughtful, ambitious, and deeply memorable.

Cairn is available today on PlayStation 5 and PC.

Alexander Skarsgård is hosting SNL this week, and according to the skit above the cast and crew love having the Pillion star around for one specific reason.

"He tall," says Kam Patterson, after Skarsgård helps him retrieve a football from the top of a camera. While the rest of the cast are enjoying shoulder rides, the also-tall Ben Marshall comes in to the room to offer his assistance — but is met with a very different response.

"Get lost, beanstalk!" screams Jeremy Culhane from atop Skarsgård's shoulders.

Maybe it helps to be tall and Alexander Skarsgård.

TL;DR: The Razer Orochi V2 wireless gaming mouse is down to just $32.99 at Amazon. That's 53% off its usual $69.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Orochi V2 Mobile Wireless Gaming Mouse $32.99 at Razer
$69.99 Save $37.00 Get Deal

Razer’s long been a reliable go-to for gamers, and you can now grab a solid Razer gaming mouse for less than half price. 

As of Jan. 29, Amazon has dropped the price of the Razer Orochi V2 down to just $32.99. That's a steep 53% off its usual $69.99 list price. That’s not just a good deal; it’s one of the lowest prices we’ve seen on this sleek and gaming-ready peripheral (according to price tracker camelcamelcamel).

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Available in classic black, quartz pink, or white, the Orochi V2 offers an experience built for gamers who want flexibility without compromise. Weighing in at under 60 grams (excluding the battery), it’s ultra-lightweight and compact enough to toss into a backpack, making it a solid pick for laptop gamers or anyone who plays on the go. 

Despite the small size, its specs show that it packs serious performance thanks to Razer’s 5G Advanced 18K DPI optical sensor, which delivers fast, pixel-precise tracking for competitive play — making it perfect for shooters and MOBA games like Valorant, World of Warcraft, Counter-Strike 2, and League of Legends. 

That goes well with one of the Orochi V2’s other standout features: the battery life. This mouse lasts up to 950 hours with Bluetooth or up to 425 hours using Razer HyperSpeed Wireless. That means months of use on a single AA or AAA battery — no charging cable required. It also includes 2nd-gen Razer mechanical mouse switches, rated for up to 60 million clicks, so it’s designed to hold up over the long haul.

To complete your gaming setup with more Razer upgrades, the BlackShark V2 Pro wireless gaming headset is also down to its lowest-ever price on Amazon. If you’re willing to spend more on a high-quality pair of all-around headphones, the Sony XM6s are down to their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

Donald Trump is launching something called Trump Accounts, which will essentially gift $1,000 to babies born between 2025 and 2028, investing the money in tax free accounts that are only accessible when the children turn 18 — and The Daily Show has thoughts.

"I didn't expect this from Donald Trump," says host Desi Lydic in the clip above. "Mostly the part about where he says you can't touch something until it turns 18."

Lydic goes on to recap the launch event, which featured Nicki Minaj as a celebrity guest, admitting the accounts "aren't the worst idea that either Trump or Nicki has endorsed" before introducing a gameshow-style parody ad that makes "the bigger picture much more clear."

TL;DR: The Magic The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box is down to $129.98 at Amazon. That's over $34 off its usual $164.70 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box $128.98 at Amazon
$164.70 Save $35.72 Get Deal

Locking down a strong price on a brand new Magic: The Gathering release doesn't usually come easy, but that’s exactly what’s happening with Lorwyn Eclipsed. As of Jan. 29, Amazon has already dropped the Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box to $129.98, slashing more than $34 off its $164.70 list price and undercutting the original preorder deal by a wide margin.

Lorwyn Eclipsed revisits the iconic world of Lorwyn and Shadowmoor in a dual-aspect form, blending radiant high-fantasy aesthetics with darker, more chaotic magic. It’s both a nostalgic return for longtime players and a visually striking entry point for newer fans.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Each Play Booster Box includes 30 Play Boosters, the ideal trading card packs for both Limited formats and casual openings. Every booster contains a guaranteed foil, with a chance at multiple rares per pack and a slim shot at premium borderless foil mythics for collectors chasing standout pulls.

This kind of structure makes these boxes great for Draft nights, Sealed play, or simply cracking packs with friends.

For Magic: The Gathering players curious about the Avatar The Last Airbender expansion, you can buy the Beginner Box for $24.99. If you’re catching up on some of the other expansions that have come out lately, the Final Fantasy crossover booster packs are on sale for $8.99 each.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 29, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for January 29, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 29 Pips

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 29 Pips

Number (8): Everything in this purple space must add up to 8. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this red space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 29 Pips

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (3): Everything in this purple space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this red space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

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

SAVE OVER $500: As of Jan. 29, the Sony Bravia 5 55-Inch TV is down to its lowest-ever price of $898 at Amazon. This is $501.99 off its list price of $1,399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Bravia 5 55-Inch TV $898 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $501.99   Get Deal

The Super Bowl is right around the corner, and if you've been looking for a new TV to catch all of the action on, there are some great deals to check out right now. The Sony Bravia 5 55-Inch TV is one model that's caught our eye, down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

It's usually listed for $1,399.99, but Amazon has dropped the price of the Sony Bravia 5 55-Inch TV down to $898, saving you just over $500. That's a solid discount. It's only available for a limited time, so it's a deal you'll want to make a move on quickly.

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If you're not looking for a massive TV screen the 55-inch version of this Sony Bravia 5 is a good fit. With the help of 4K resolution and a Mini LED display, alongside support for image enhancement tech like Dolby Vision, the picture quality will make your favorite shows and movies look great at all times. It even supports Dolby Atmos audio so you can catch every sound on screen with crisp quality.

Plus, it also has exclusive features for those with a PlayStation 5. These include Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, which provide a nice boost to picture quality as you play your favorite games on the console. And on top of all that, it's a Google TV, so streaming from your favorite apps is quick and easy.

This limited-time deal may not be around for long, so act fast to save on the Sony Bravia 5 55-Inch TV at Amazon.

Nothing hits like a Bridgerton string cover. Shonda Rhimes' Netflix show has become synonymous with lively, romantic string covers of pop songs: Celeste's “Strange" from Season 1, Bollywood hit "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" from Season 2, Beyoncé's "Halo" from spin-off Queen Charlotte, and Pitbull's "Give Me Everything" in Season 3.

For Bridgerton's fourth season, showrunner Jess Brownell and music supervisor Justin Kamps continue the show's allegiance to matchmaking its Regency characters' capers with its modern pop soundtrack, alongside Kris Bowers' lauded score.

SEE ALSO: 'Bridgerton' Season 4 review: A Cinderella story to die for

Here's every song in Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1, and which episode we heard it in, so you can be that friend at the watch party.

"Life in Technicolor" by Coldplay (Episode 1)

At the season-launching masquerade ball, Bridgerton stalwarts Vitamin String Quartet bring a Coldplay cover that's hard to miss. The track from 2008's Viva La Vida soars into the halls of Bridgerton House, setting the scene for Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) to sneak into a technicolour world, Cinderella-style.

"DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" by Usher ft. Pitbull (Episode 1)

Bridgerton's not done with Pitbull covers yet. Having heated up carriages last season, Mr Worldwide is back in string form through Usher collab "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" by Strings From Paris. It scores Sophie and Benedict's (Luke Thompson) meet-cute at the masquerade ball. Swoon.

"Never Let You Go" by Third Eye Blind (Episode 1)

Millennials, this one's for us. Third Eye Blind's 1999 single "Never Let You Go" is just as iconic as their other banger from album Blue, but less about crystal meth. It means it's more fitting for the Ton, we guess. Notably, Vitamin String Quartet's cover appears during the masquerade ball right after Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) pleads with Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) to let her leave her royal court. "I'll never let you go" is right.

Featured Video For You ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 has the internet upset for all the wrong reasons "Enchanted" by Taylor Swift (Episode 2)

OK, this one got me. My dear friends got married to a string cover of Taylor Swift's "Enchanted" and I can't hear it without bursting into happy tears. This exquisite Bridgerton cover by Joseph William Morgan appears in a heart-wrenching moment in episode 2 when Sophie spies on Benedict paying a visit to someone who isn't her. Friends, Swift's lyrics are basically the storyline of Season 4, I don't know what else to tell you.

"All I Wanted" by Paramore (Episode 3)

Excuse me while I sit down after hearing Hayley Williams' frankly outrageous B5 note in string form. The Vitamin String Quartet cover of Paramore's 2009 hit from Brand New Eyes comes in a moment of deep yearning and I frankly can't handle it.

"Bad Idea Right?" by Olivia Rodrigo (Episode 4)

This fire hazard of a Caleb Chan cover of "Bad Idea Right?" asks the perfect question for the scene it scores. Olivia Rodrigo's 2023 Guts banger is an anthem of impulsivity, zero self control, and pure disregard for consequences. Yuuuup.

How to watch: Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix. Part 2 premieres Feb. 26.

Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 soundtrack is out now via Capitol Records.

"There's so much going on right now — there's too much, really — and then in other areas there's not enough going on. You remember those Epstein files?"

That's how Jimmy Kimmel opens the monologue above, responding to the news that the remaining files concerning convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will apparently be released "in the near term," despite there still being no specific date.

"You remember those? Those files Congress voted to legally required the Justice Department to release by December 19th of last year? And then December 19th came and went, and now it's the end of January and we still don't have them?" asks Kimmel.

"These Epstein files are like Melania's movie — no one's ever gonna see them."

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know soccer players.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Not checkers

• Green: Moves

• Blue: MVP soccer players

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Chess pieces

• Green: Gymnastics terms

• Blue: Premier League Golden Boot winners

• Purple: Water ____

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #493 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Chess pieces - BISHOP, PAWN, QUEEN, ROOK

• Gymnastics terms - HANDSPRING, ROUND-0FF, SALTO, TWIST

• Premier League Golden Boot winners - HAALAND, KANE, SALAH, SON

• Water ____ - BOTTLE, BOY, HAZARD, POLO

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026:

AcrossEmployees, collectively

• The answer is Staff.

The "L" of TTYL

• The answer is Later.

Slowly lessen, as political support

• The answer is Erode.

Dunkin' offering

• The answer is Donut.

Tricky things to navigate with a stroller

• The answer is Steps.

DownToys that go on the decline in winter?

• The answer is Sleds.

Set of fortunetelling cards

• The answer is Tarot.

Make amends

• The answer is Atone.

Out of patience

• The answer is Fed up.

Guitar bars

• The answer is Frets.

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

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

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

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Booster Bundle has dropped to just $52.88 on Amazon. That's down from its usual $59.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Booster Bundle $52.88 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $7.11   Get Deal

Six packs of Mega Evolution joy just got a little cheaper, and that’s a big deal if you’re a Pokémon fan who’s been waiting for the right moment to jump into the expansion. As of Jan. 29, the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Booster Bundle has dropped to $52.88 from $59.99, undercutting what was already considered a fair market rate. 

It's worth nothing that these Mega Evolution booster bundles are sold by third-party retailers on Amazon, but price tracker camelcamelcamel has confirmed that this is the best price they’ve had through these sellers.

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For anyone unfamiliar, this booster bundle includes six sealed Mega Evolution booster packs, making it one of the simplest ways to experience the set without committing to a full booster box. And you’ll still get a chance of pulling the expansion’s most valuable chase cards like Mega Gardevoir ex and Mega Lucario ex. 

To save even more on in-demand Pokémon cards, you can still get Prismatic Evolutions booster packs on sale at Amazon. If you’re excited for the upcoming Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes expansion, you can still pre-order both the Charmander and Ghastly Tech Sticker Collections for their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

SAVE $100: As of Jan. 29, the Garmin Venu 3S has dropped to $349.99 at Amazon. This is $100 off its list price of $449.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 3S $349.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Whether you want to keep a better eye on your heart rate or see how you're progressing towards your fitness goals, a smartwatch can help you out. At the moment, there are some great discounts available for those looking to get on a healthier path. Over at Amazon, the Garmin Venu 3S is marked down to $349.99.

This deal price is $100 off its overall list price of $449.99, marking a return to the Garmin Venu 3S's lowest-ever price at Amazon (according to price tracker camelcamelcamel). It applies to several different colors as well, so you can have your pick of the watch that best suits your style, whether that be french gray, dust rose, ivory, pebble gray, or sage gray.

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Alongside a stylish design, the Garmin Venu 3S includes plenty of features to keep you informed throughout the day. For those looking to keep an eye on their health, it includes a sleep score so you can see how well you're resting, wrist-based heart rate, fitness age, stress tracking, and much more. There are plenty of great fitness features as well, including workout benefit (which shows you how a workout affects your body) and recovery time.

Furthermore, its battery life lasts up to 10 days when in smartwatch mode, so you can stay focused on your goals rather than constantly putting it on charge. If it's been on your radar, now is a great time to grab the Garmin Venu 3S and save $100 at Amazon.

If you're wondering what other smartwatches are worth checking out this year, have a look at our roundups of the best smartwatches and the best fitness trackers to see some of our top recommendations.

SAVE $55: As of Jan. 29, the Fire HD 8 Plus is on sale for $64.99 at Amazon. That's a 46% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus $64.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal

In need of a new tablet but don't feel like dropping hundreds of dollars? What if we told you you could get an Amazon Fire tablet for under $65?

Meet the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, a great tablet for reading, streaming, or even video chatting. But the best part? As of Jan. 29, this model is on sale for $64.99. That's a saving of $55, and it's the first time it has been on sale since July 2025. This price is for the 32GB option, however the 64GB tablet is also on sale (down from $149.99 to $94.99).

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The Fire HD 8 Plus is like the standard Fire HD 8 tablet, but better. Upgrades to this model include wireless charging, a 9W power adapter, 3GB of RAM, and better quality front and rear cameras. It’s thinner and lighter than the previous generation too, and is built with a strengthened aluminosilicate glass screen that Amazon claims is twice as durable as the iPad mini (2021). So, if you're clumsy, this model should survive your drops.

It performs fast too, thanks to the enhanced hexa-core processor that’s up to 30% faster than the last Fire HD 8 Plus. And the battery life is impressive, lasting up to 13 hours for reading, streaming, or listening to music. You'll also have access to lots of apps and streaming services via Amazon’s App store.

This deal has a "limited-time" stamp, so don't miss out.

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

The 2026 Australian Open finals are fast approaching. Alcaraz faces off against Zverev in the first semi final of the men's draw. Are we heading towards another showdown between Alcaraz and Sinner? It's looking increasingly likely that these two stars will battle it out again on the biggest stage.

Of course, that's not to say that Zverez doesn't stand a chance of beating Alcaraz. The third seed made last year's final, so he's been here before. The big question is whether or not he can make the leap and actually win a Grand Slam for the first time. The prospect of competing with Alcaraz and Sinner is daunting for even the top players.

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

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Zverev for free

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Visit 9Now

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Alcaraz vs. Zverev in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.