- Help
- Google+
TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for $54.97 through Feb. 2 — boost productivity and upgrade your OS with one affordable bundle.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $54.97When productivity meets practicality, you get the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 + Windows 11 Pro Bundle. This two-in-one deal for $54.97 until Feb. 2 is tailored for professionals, students, and anyone looking to upgrade their workflow while keeping costs low. With lifetime access, no subscription fees, and seamless integration, it’s a must-have for anyone working smarter, not harder.
Microsoft Office 2021 Professional includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, giving you everything you need to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. With tools like advanced co-authoring and Smart Compose, collaborating with teams or family has never been easier. Plus, its redesigned ribbon interface and customization options make every project efficient and visually stunning. Whether you’re drafting reports or designing creative presentations, Office 2021 ensures you stay on top of your game.
Pair that with Windows 11 Pro, a cutting-edge operating system designed to boost productivity and enhance security. Features like Snap Layouts, desktops, and improved voice typing simplify multitasking, while advanced encryption and biometric logins keep your data safe. Gamers will appreciate DirectX 12 Ultimate for next-level visuals, while professionals can access Azure AD, BitLocker, and Hyper-V for streamlined workflows. And with AI-driven Copilot, you can optimize tasks like never before.
This bundle saves you the headache of recurring fees and ensures you have the tools to tackle your day — from running your business to staying secure online.
For a one-time payment of $54.97 until Feb. 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT, it’s time to invest in efficiency, creativity, and peace of mind with this combo of a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Learn ethical hacking, penetration testing, and cybersecurity with lifetime access to 18 courses, on sale for $34.97 until Feb. 2.
Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle $34.97This ethical hacking bundle offers a lifetime of learning for those eager to master this critical and in-demand skill-set. With 18 courses and 132 hours of content, this $34.97 bundle (sale ending Feb. 2) covers a wide variety of cybersecurity topics, from beginner-friendly basics to advanced penetration testing.
Dive into practical lessons that teach real-world techniques, like exploiting vulnerabilities, safeguarding networks, and building custom tools using Python. Courses such as Complete Python 3 Ethical Hacking walk you through coding your own backdoor tools and automating repetitive security tasks, while Hacking Wireless Networks teaches you to identify and protect against vulnerabilities in WiFi environments. These are hands-on experiences tailored for those who want to go beyond theory and practice in safe lab environments.
For those interested in web security, the bundle offers in-depth training in tackling vulnerabilities like SQL injections and cross-site scripting, using tools like Burp Suite to run penetration tests and secure applications. You’ll also explore Metasploit, the industry-standard framework for penetration testing, giving you the skills to identify and fix system weaknesses.
Even if you’re just starting out, courses like Ethical Hacker Certification make it easy to build foundational skills while setting you up for certifications. Meanwhile, Bug Bounty: Web Hacking introduces you to earning money by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities for major companies.
Whether you’re an IT professional, a cybersecurity enthusiast, or a beginner ready to jump into the field, this bundle gives you the tools to succeed.
With a one-time payment of $34.97, you’ll gain lifetime access to a wealth of knowledge and resources in this comprehensive ethical hacking course bundle — all designed to help you protect, analyze, and improve systems like a pro.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Master in-demand skills with lifetime access to courses from StackSkills for just $19.97 until February 2.
Lifetime access to over 1,000 pre-selected courses covering topics like IT, development, graphic design, business, and more
Courses taught by 350+ elite instructors with real-world expertise, making learning both engaging and practical
New courses added monthly, ensuring your skills stay relevant in ever-evolving industries
Includes progress tracking and course certifications to showcase your achievements
Provides access to quarterly instructor Q&A webinars for deeper insights and career guidance
Learn anywhere, anytime on desktop or mobile, with no limits on the number of devices
Don’t miss this chance to master today’s most in-demand skills. Invest in your personal and professional growth with EDU Unlimited by StackSkills for just $19.97 through February 2.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: StackSkills EDU Unlimited by StackSkills: Lifetime Access $19.97TL;DR: No more losing your important stuff — get the Folding MagSafe Wallet with built-in Apple Find My tracking for $29.99 (reg. $39).
Nothing derails your day faster than misplacing your wallet, and the panic that ensues. But what if losing it wasn’t even an option? The Folding MagSafe Wallet is here to save the day with Apple’s Find My tracking baked right into its sleek design. This isn’t just another wallet — it’s a daily essential reimagined for the digital age. For a limited time, it's on sale for $10 off at $29.99.
This compact wallet securely holds up to eight cards with RFID blocking for added security. It’s made of scratch-resistant PU leather, so it’s stylish and tough enough to handle life on the go. And thanks to a magnetic force six times stronger than official MagSafe wallets, this thing isn’t falling off your iPhone.
The Apple Find My integration is a huge highlight. If your wallet goes missing, you can track it in real time using the app. Forgot it at the coffee shop? The Left-Behind alarm will have your back. And if you just need to find it nearby, all you have to do is play a sound and you'll know where to look.
Plus, it’s not just for storing cards. With a built-in hinge, it doubles as a phone stand for hands-free use — perfect for Zoom calls, streaming, or doomscrolling. Plus, it supports wireless charging and runs for up to four months on a single charge.
Please note that it is compatible with iPhones 12 through 16, but not with the iPhone 13 mini and 12 mini, or any Android.
The Folding MagSafe Wallet offers more than storage — it’s peace of mind in your pocket, on sale for $29.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Centralspot Folding MagSafe Wallet - Works With Apple Find My $29.99SAVE 77%: As of Jan. 29, the INIU 10000mAh 22.5W fast-charging power bank is just $12.07 at Amazon after stacking a 50% coupon with a 27% discount off its usual $29.99 price.
Opens in a new window Credit: INIU INIU 10000mAh 22.5W Power Bank $12.07 at AmazonYou know what sucks? A dead phone when you actually need it. Nobody wants to be caught doom-scrolling at 2% battery, so grabbing a solid power bank that fits in your pocket is a sound choice. The INIU 10000mAh charger is an absolute steal for just $12 (well, $12.07 if you want to be precise).
This thing packs a punch for its size. At 30% smaller and 15% lighter than most 10,000mAh power banks, it's barely more significant than a deck of cards, making it easy to slip into a pocket or bag. But don't let the size fool you; this little beast delivers 22.5W fast charging, meaning your iPhone 15 can hit 60% in just 25 minutes. It'll keep those topped up if you're rocking a Samsung, Google Pixel, or even an iPad.
SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphonesUnlike most cheap power banks that skimp on ports, this one gives you two USB-C outputs and a USB-A port, so you can charge three devices at once. That means your phone, earbuds, and a friend's phone all get juice at the same time. Plus, it lets you charge with USB-C both ways, so you're not stuck carrying extra adapters like in 2015.
INIU's also not messing around with reliability. They're backing this thing with a three-year warranty, lifetime tech support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You also get a travel pouch and a USB-A to USB-C cable in the box, so you're set from day one.
At $12.07, this is a no-brainer grab. Power banks that are fast and compact rarely drop this low, and Amazon deals like this don't stick around forever. If you've ever watched your battery bar turn red at the worst possible moment, now's your chance to make sure that never happens again.
SAVE $2,000: As of Jan. 29, TCL 98-inch QM7-Series 4K UHD Smart TV is $1,999.99 at Best Buy, saving you a ridiculous $2,000 off its usual $3,999.99 price.
Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 98-inch QM7-Series 4K UHD Smart TV $1,999.99 at Best BuyDo you have a blank wall begging for an upgrade? The TCL 98-inch QM7 is one of the biggest, brightest, and boldest TVs you can get without selling a kidney. And right now, it’s half-price at Best Buy, making $1,999.99 a steal for a QD-Mini LED screen with Dolby Vision IQ, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an insane 2,400-nit brightness.
TCL isn’t playing when it comes to display quality. The QD-Mini LED backlight packs over 1,500 local dimming zones, so contrast stays deep, and blooming is kept in check. Quantum Dot technology ensures colors are bright, accurate, and nearly OLED-level vivid. At the same time, the AIPQ PRO processor optimizes every frame in real-time using deep learning AI. HDR Ultra with Dolby Vision IQ pushes dynamic range even further, ensuring you get punchy highlights and deep blacks.
SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphonesGamers, pay attention. The QM7-Series is a 240Hz gaming beast with VRR, ALLM, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to smooth frame rates. Motion Rate 480 helps reduce blur in fast-paced sports and action scenes, so you’re not missing a single detail. If you’ve got a PS5, Xbox Series X, or high-end PC, this thing will keep up without breaking a sweat.
Sound on big TVs is usually an afterthought, but TCL actually put effort into the QM7’s audio. You get an ONKYO-tuned 2.1 system with a built-in subwoofer, Dolby Atmos, and DTS Virtual:X support for more immersive sound. And if you prefer private listening, there’s Bluetooth audio for wireless headphones.
For smart features, Google TV brings all your streaming apps into one place, with Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and voice control for easy navigation. With four HDMI ports (including eARC), this thing is ready for your entire home theater setup.
At $2,000 off, this 98-inch beast is a once-in-a-blue-moon deal. If you’ve been dreaming of a proper home cinema experience, this is your chance to grab one for half the price.
SAVE OVER $200: As of Jan. 29, the LG 55-inch QNED85T 4K UHD Smart TV is down to $499.99 at Walmart, saving you $247 off its usual $747 price.
Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 55-inch QNED85T 4K UHD Smart TV $499.99 at WalmartLooking for a budget-friendly 4K upgrade that doesn’t skimp on gaming features or smart TV capabilities? LG 55-inch QNED85T packs a 120Hz refresh rate, AI-powered enhancements, and webOS 24 for an all-around solid viewing experience. At $499.99, this $247 Walmart discount makes it a serious contender for anyone looking to upgrade their living room setup without breaking the bank.
The QNED display combines Quantum Dot and NanoCell technology, giving you brighter colors and deeper contrast than standard LED panels. If you’re watching in a bright room, QNED Contrast helps maintain clarity and color accuracy, cutting through annoying glare. Under the hood, the α8 AI Processor is working to sharpen details, clean up noise, and optimize picture settings in real-time.
SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphonesGamers, you’re in luck. This TV supports HDMI 2.1, meaning smooth 4K gameplay at 120Hz for next-gen consoles. LG’s Game Optimizer gives you quick access to VRR, ALLM, and other key gaming settings to fine-tune performance on the fly. GeForce NOW compatibility lets you stream cloud-based PC games directly to the TV without needing a console or gaming PC.
Streaming is just as seamless. webOS 24 delivers personalized recommendations, while LG Channels hook you up with over 300 free live TV channels (no subscription required). The Magic Remote makes navigation effortless, letting you control everything via voice commands, point-and-click, or good old-fashioned buttons.
This Walmart deal is one of the lowest prices we’ve seen for the QNED85T, and with LG promising up to five years of software updates, you’re getting a future-proof smart TV for under $500. If you’re in the market for a reliable 4K set with great motion clarity, solid gaming features, and a ton of free content, this one is hard to pass up.
SAVE UP TO 51%: As of Jan. 29, new ExpressVPN subscribers can save up to 51% on their plan and get up to 100 entries into the Dare to Dream contest for a chance to win a VIP Tottenham Hotspur experience in London. Sign up for a two-year plan and get four extra months free.
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (12 Months + 4 Months Free) $99.07 at ExpressVPNExpressVPN is offering up to 51% off its usual price, plus a chance to win the ultimate Spurs trip. The Dare to Dream contest sends one lucky winner (and an even luckier guest) to London for a VIP Tottenham Hotspur experience, including flights, three nights of accommodation, premium matchday seats, locker room access, £500 in spending money, and even a meet and greet with Spurs legends.
The best part? The longer the subscription, the better your chances. Two-year signups get 100 contest entries, one-year plans get 20, and one-month plans get five. With the two-year deal, you also get four extra months free, making it the best value for money.
SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphonesOf course, ExpressVPN isn’t just about flashy contests. It’s one of the fastest, most reliable VPNs, with servers in 105 countries, a strict no-logs policy, and bonus features like a password manager, parental controls, and ad blocking. If you want to stay secure online, access region-locked content, or stop your internet provider from throttling your speeds.
Unlike some VPNs that promise speed but fail under pressure, ExpressVPN consistently delivers. Streaming geo-restricted content? No problem. Avoiding government censorship? Covered. Want to keep your browsing history out of sight from your ISP? Done. The independently audited no-logs policy ensures that none of your activity is stored, keeping your privacy intact.
This Dare to Dream contest runs until Feb. 28, 2025, with the winner announced by March 4. The trip is lined up for April, right in time for the business end of the Premier League season. If you want a shot at that unforgettable Spurs experience, sign up now, lock in ExpressVPN’s best offer, and cross your fingers for that VIP ticket to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
And even if you don’t win, you’re still getting one of the best VPN deals on the market. A win-win situation if you ask me.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has reportedly rushed to wipe the metadata from some of its memos after the embedded information indicated that they were written by people associated with Project 2025. While many members of President Donald Trump's administration have links to The Heritage Foundation's controversial movement, questions have been raised regarding whether some of these authors are even part of the OPM.
SEE ALSO: Did Trump's executive order just make everyone in the U.S. female?Spotted by Reddit user r/AdeptGreen, several memos issued by the OPM since Trump's inauguration have had metadata showing them to be written by people linked to Project 2025. Metadata is information about another set of information, such as its author, the date it was created, and the file's size. It is frequently embedded within the file.
For example, the OPM states that Jan. 22 memo Guidance on Presidential Memorandum: Return to In-Person Work is from its Acting Director Charles Ezell. However, the document's metadata indicates that it was actually created by Noah Peters, an attorney linked to Project 2025. Mashable downloaded the memo on Tuesday prior to its alteration, and was able to view the original metadata.
While Peters' name was in the metadata of some OPM memos, others were apparently penned by James Sherk, who Trump has announced will serve on the White House Domestic Policy Council. He has also been linked to Project 2025, previously working for The Heritage Foundation for over a decade. According to the metadata, Sherk authored two joint memos with the OPM and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
While the OPM has reportedly removed the metadata and reuploaded its memos, Mashable was unable to access them at all at time of writing on Wednesday, the links to each one now failing to load. Tech researcher Molly White has archived the original documents.
It's common practice for managers to have employees draft documents which they subsequently sign off on. However, it's much less common for people to write memos for departments that they aren't a part of. Though Peters' LinkedIn page now lists him as a full-time Senior Advisor at OPM, Mashable was unable to find any information suggesting Sherk has any role with either this department or the OMB.
Peters' and Sherk's apparent work on the OPM's memos appear to be the product of Trump's increasing politicisation of the federal workforce. Last week Trump issued an executive order reinstating Schedule F, a policy from his first term which reclassified thousands of federal workers as political appointees. This reclassification granted Trump's administration the authority to hire, dismiss, or otherwise manage people in these roles — including installing workers who adhere to the president's politics.
Such consolidation of power was also a goal for Project 2025, which stated in its policy agenda that a conservative U.S president must have the "boldness to bend or break the bureaucracy to the presidential will."
Regardless of its appropriateness, it wouldn't be surprising to see more federal documents with surprising authors in the future — especially considering Trump's plans to shrink the U.S. government. Almost all federal employees were offered buyouts on Tuesday, with promises of around eight months of wages on the condition that they voluntarily leave their jobs by Feb. 6. Over two million workers reportedly received the offer.
Though the Trump administration likely doesn't expect everyone to accept its offer, doing so looks like a smart move right now. Trump has made no secret of his intent to eliminate millions of government jobs via the newly-created, Elon Musk-led U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The organisation had been planned to be co-led by Vivek Ramaswamy, who previously expressed an intention to reduce the federal workforce by 75 percent, including firing one million people in 2025.
While Ramaswamy is no longer involved with the project, DOGE's goal to execute drastic cuts amongst federal personnel appears to remain in place.
What is Project 2025?Organised by conservative think-tank The Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is a political movement which aims to swiftly and decisively steer the U.S. toward the right.
In its policy agenda "Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise," Project 2025 lays out a lengthy set of proposals and plans for a right-wing U.S. administration, spanning over 900 pages. These plans include significantly downsizing the Department of Education, criminalising pornography, eliminating gender-affirming healthcare, and abolishing federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
Initially published in 2023, Project 2025's policy agenda has garnered the condemnation of Democratic politicians while becoming a guiding force for Republicans.
Trump previously distanced himself from Project 2025 in 2024, stating that he had "no idea who is behind it."
"I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social last July. "Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them."
Even so, Trump's slew of executive actions since his inauguration have closely mirrored Project 2025's wishlist. The president has also appointed individuals involved with the document to key roles in his administration. Such appointees include Russell Vought, one of the authors of Project 2025's policy agenda and Trump's pick to head the OBM after having taken on the role during the president's first term. Vought was the previously quoted Project 2025 author who called for federal agencies to "bend or break" to Trump's demands.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Types of hits on a diamond
Green: Reasons for a whistle in basketball
Blue: Same mascot
Purple: Cities with NFL teams
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Baseball hits
Green: Basketball fouls
Blue: Bulldogs
Purple: Actual NFL home cities
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 #128 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayBaseball hits - SINGLE, DOUBLE, TRIPLE, HOME RUN
Basketball fouls - FLAGRANT, OFFENSIVE, PERSONAL, TECHNICAL
Bulldogs - GEORGIA, GONZAGA, MISSISSIPPI STATE, YALE
Actual NFL home cities - ARLINGTON, FOXBORO, GLENDALE, SANTA CLARA
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? 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.
TL;DR: Looking for Microsoft Office deals? A license to Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business (for Windows or Mac) is available for a one-time price of £128.59 (reg. £200.95) through 2 February, giving you lifetime access to key productivity tools.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC — Lifetime License £128.59 at the Mashable ShopWhy deal with subscription fees when you can own your productivity tools for life? Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business offers lifetime access with a one-time purchase of £128.59 — a 36% discount — letting you unlock the full suite with no recurring payments: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Whether you’re managing projects for work, school, or personal life, this edition provides all the tools you need to stay productive.
What’s new in Office 2024? For starters, Excel now allows you to handle larger datasets and multiple workbooks at once, making it easier to work on complex projects and analyses. PowerPoint ups your presentation game with new features for recording presentations, including integrated voice narration, and live camera feeds, which can help add a personal touch, especially during virtual meetings or remote work settings. Outlook now comes with an upgraded accessibility checker that ensures your emails are clear, readable, and meet accessibility standards, helping you communicate more effectively.
Office 2024’s streamlined interface is designed to be intuitive, with a unified look across apps, making it easier to jump between tasks and stay organised. Whether you're preparing financial reports, creating presentations, or simply managing everyday tasks, this suite works seamlessly across both Macs and PCs.
This one-time payment guarantees a lifetime device license for all of these tools.
Say goodbye to monthly fees and hello to a better way to work — score a lifetime device license to Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC for £128.59 (reg. £200.95) until 2 February at 11:59 p.m. PT. Get this deal — and more Microsoft Office deals — at the Mashable Shop.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Live stream PSV vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Liverpool have been absolutely perfect in this year's Champions League, and comfortably sit on top of the standings. PSV haven't been quite so dominant, but they are still fighting for a place in the knockout rounds.
We're all set for a really interesting matchup between these two sides. If you want to watch PSV vs. Liverpool in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is PSV vs. Liverpool?PSV vs. Liverpool in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 29. This fixture takes place at the Philips Stadion.
How to watch PSV vs. Liverpool for freePSV vs. Liverpool is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.
Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream PSV vs. Liverpool for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch PSV vs. Liverpool for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream PSV vs. Liverpool (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream PSV vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Manchester City vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
There's a lot of pressure on Manchester City to secure a win in their final Champions League group-stage game. If they don't get something from their matchup with Club Brugge, they will exit this year's competition. It has been a tough season for Manchester City, but that would take things to another level.
If you want to watch Manchester City vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Manchester City vs. Club Brugge?Manchester City vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 29. This fixture takes place at the Etihad Stadium.
How to watch Manchester City vs. Club Brugge for freeManchester City vs. Club Brugge is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.
RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Manchester City vs. Club Brugge on RTÉ Player by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Sign in to RTÉ Player
Watch Manchester City vs. Club Brugge for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Manchester City vs. Club Brugge (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Manchester City vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Shopping for a new speaker is no longer about music. Well, not entirely. Because finding a speaker with excellent sound is fairly straightforward. The top audio brands all produce high-end speakers. But you have to think beyond that. You have to think smart. Because this is the age of the smart home.
It might seem like a daunting task because smart speakers are everywhere. It's hard to know which speaker is the smartest, or which models have the right kind of smarts to suit your home and lifestyle. You can spend all day combing over product descriptions and review sections to find the best fit for your smart home.
But you don't need to go to all that hassle. We've done some of the hard work for you and compiled a list of some of the best smart speakers around. First off, here's some helpful information to help you make that final decision.
What is a smart speaker?Smart speakers usually come with built-in voice assistants and can be found in almost any home at this point. If you have a bunch of smart devices in your home — smart lights, a smart thermostat, smart home security, a smart robot vacuum, or even a smart toaster (yes, that's a real thing) — a smart speaker can act as a hub that keeps them connected and controls your smart home overall. In short, a smart speaker is what makes your home truly smart. It's the smart home nucleus.
Are smart speakers worth the money?Although smart speakers aren't always the best way to listen to your audio and aren't usually prioritised for music, they're absolutely worth having if you have the budget. (And you might not even notice the audio downgrade unless you have a finely-tuned audiophile ear.) Plus, smart speakers don't always have to break the bank — there are plenty of budget options out there, including the fantastic Echo Dot.
Why do you need a smart speaker?The real reason to get a smart speaker is convenience. Hands-free voice assistants are the name of the game when it comes to smart speakers. Being able to plan your day, catch up on news, play music, and control most of your smart tech just by talking to your a speaker is truly excellent. It's a great way to maximise your day by doing less.
What's the best voice assistant?The three best-known voice assistants are Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri. Out of those three, most would put Siri at the bottom. That's not to say that Siri is a bad voice assistant, but Apple is just way too exclusive about their propriety operating systems, and Siri is only available to Apple devices. Then we get to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It comes down to personal choice. Both Amazon and Google have their specialist skills. You can't really lose with either choice here — just think about what features you want most, and go for the one that fits that vision best. It's fair to say Alexa is more popular of the two, though.
What skills does Alexa have?If you're an online shopper and have an arsenal of smart devices throughout your home, Alexa will probably be your best bet. Amazon's smart speakers recognise more devices than Google's Assistant, so you're more likely to have a better time with an Echo if you really want to go for a true smart home. Alexa's direct connection to the Amazon store also makes online shopping easy, allowing you to add things to your cart and check out solely through voice commands. If you get lots of goods from Amazon, Amazon's smart speakers are a no-brainer.
What can Google Assistant do?Google Assistant tends to be better at things like general knowledge, location services, and other real-world information that you might need at a moment's notice. Google Assistant is also great for those with Android phones, enabling easy exchanges of information between your smartphone and smart speaker when using Google-supported apps. Google speakers also tend to be better at networking, so if you're looking to buy more than one smart speaker and connect them, Google is a good start.
What is the best smart speaker?That's something that only you can decide. But we've tried to make your life easier by lining up a selection of the best smart speakers from top brands. There's something for everyone on this list, not to mention every budget — because these speakers don't always come cheap. You just need to consider the options, and then pick the speaker that best matches up with your smart home and lifestyle needs.
These are the best smart speakers in 2025.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Playing music out loud from your smartphone is a crime against music. Good sound is one of the few things that smartphone tech brands have never quite mastered. For the best audio experience from your phone or smart device it comes down to one of two options: great headphones or a great Bluetooth speaker.
If you're more inclined towards the communal listening experience, or you don't like having to rely on headphones, the range of portable Bluetooth speakers is getting better all the time. Wired speakers were once considered to go-to option for audiophile-quality sound, but that isn't necessarily the case anymore. Though it's true that the real appeal of Bluetooth speaker is the convenience of listening anywhere.
Indeed, there are lots of high-quality portable Bluetooth speakers. These are great for taking out on a picnic, or when you're travelling away and you want tunes in the hotel or at the poolside. Or even for just moving from room to room around the home. But what should you look for when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker? What's the difference between a great-sounding and under-performing Bluetooth speaker? Here's a quick guide and a selection of the best available Bluetooth speakers.
How good is Bluetooth speaker sound quality?It's as good as you need it to be. So ask yourself the following questions: Will you be using your speakers solely for music? For podcasts? Maybe a bit of both? This factors into what kind of audio power you need, whether that's surround sound, Dolby Atmos, or traditional stereo. Not all speakers produce the same kind of sound quality, so it's important to know exactly what kind of listening experience you're looking to get out of it before you make the purchase. Typically, smaller speakers are more portable, but their sound quality isn't quite as strong as larger devices.
How many speakers do you need?Always choose quality over quantity. Having two amazing speakers, for instance, will always ensure better results than multiple average speakers. However, having too many speakers around is just going to take up an unnecessary amount of space. Indeed, two speakers is a sweet spot, and certainly an ideal set-up if you listen to a lot of music. That's because music is normally recorded for a stereo setting. Having a left and right channel will do you wonders. Fortunately several of the options below can be connected to other speakers for stereo sound. If you have a smaller space, however, one good speaker is perfectly adequate.
What smart features do Bluetooth speakers have?As with everything in life, it's a case of getting what you pay for. Some low-price Bluetooth speakers are good at just pumping out lively tunes. Others will include smart features such as voice assistant, EQ customisation, app control, and other advanced tech. Ask yourself if you want to integrate your speaker into a system of smart devices. Several of the below options have smart functions and access to Alexa.
Are portable speakers waterproof?Finding a waterproof speaker is not absolutely necessary, but plenty of portable speakers are waterproof or water resistant — the portability means they'll see a lot of poolside and party action, which means lots of splashing and spillages. It would be a shame if a rogue glass of water ended up being the demise of your new speaker, so if you have the option to go waterproof, do it.
What is the best portable Bluetooth speaker?If you're not much of an audiophile and simply keen on stepping away from using your smartphone's built-in speaker, don't get too stressed over whether the bass is strong and the mids are crisp. Go with the type that suits you best, and you'll be satisfied regardless. We've tried to make the buying process a little easier by handpicking some standout speakers from top brands. There should be something for everyone in this roundup of the best portable speakers, with a speaker for every budget.
These are the best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2025.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable 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.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers 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: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for January 29 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Belonging to someone
Green: This could happen in your sleep
Blue: Film franchises
Purple: Associated with "house"
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Owned
Green: Things You Might Do in Your Sleep
Blue: Movie Series with 2024 Releases
Purple: ___House
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 #598 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayOwned: BORE, HAD, HELD, POSSESSED
Things You Might Do in Your Sleep: DREAM, DROOL, SNORE, TALK
Movie Series with 2024 Releases: ALIEN, GLADIATOR, VENOM, WICKED
___House: FULL, GINGERBREAD, HAUNTED, WHITE
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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 29Are 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.
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 today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for January 29 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for January 28, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Mammary gland.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter D appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter U.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
UDDER.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 29Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 29 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Show of handsThese words are used to create characters or manipulate objects to tell a story.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWords are forms of puppetry and hand manipulation.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is PuppetMaster.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for January 29Finger
Stick
Glove
Sock
Shadow
Marionette
PuppetMaster
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
All of a sudden, DeepSeek is everywhere.
Its R1 model is open source, allegedly trained for a fraction of the cost of other AI models, and is just as good, if not better than ChatGPT.
This lethal combination hit Wall Street hard, causing tech stocks to tumble, and making investors question how much money is needed to develop good AI models. DeepSeek engineers claim R1 was trained on 2,788 GPUs which cost around $6 million, compared to OpenAI's GPT-4 which reportedly cost $100 million to train.
DeepSeek's cost efficiency also challenges the idea that larger models and more data leads to better performance. Amidst the frenzied conversation about DeepSeek's capabilities, its threat to AI companies like OpenAI, and spooked investors, it can be hard to make sense of what's going on. But AI experts with veteran experience have weighed in with valuable perspectives.
DeepSeek proves what AI experts have been saying for years: bigger isn't betterHampered by trade restrictions and access to Nvidia GPUs, China-based DeepSeek had to get creative in developing and training R1. That they were able to accomplish this feat for only $6 million (which isn't a lot of money in AI terms) was a revelation to investors.
But AI experts weren't surprised. "At Google, I asked why they were fixated on building THE LARGEST model. Why are you going for size? What function are you trying to achieve? Why is the thing you were upset about that you didn't have THE LARGEST model? They responded by firing me," posted Timnit Gebru, who was famously terminated from Google for calling out AI bias, on X.
Tweet may have been deletedHugging Face's climate and AI lead Sasha Luccioni pointed out how AI investment is precariously built on marketing and hype. "It's wild that hinting that a single (high-performing) LLM is able to achieve that performance without brute-forcing the shit out of thousands of GPUs is enough to cause this," said Luccioni.
Tweet may have been deleted Clarifying why DeepSeek R1 is such a big dealDeepSeek R1 performed comparably to OpenAI o1 model on key benchmarks. It marginally surpassed, equaled, or fell just below o1 on math, coding, and general knowledge tests. That's to say, there are other models out there, like Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, and Meta's open source model Llama that are just as capable to the average user.
But R1 causing such a frenzy because of how little it cost to make. "It's not smarter than earlier models, just trained more cheaply," said AI research scientist Gary Marcus.
Tweet may have been deletedThe fact that DeepSeek was able to build a model that competes with OpenAI's models is pretty remarkable. Andrej Karpathy who co-founded OpenAI, posted on X, "Does this mean you don't need large GPU clusters for frontier LLMs? No, but you have to ensure that you're not wasteful with what you have, and this looks like a nice demonstration that there's still a lot to get through with both data and algorithms."
Tweet may have been deletedWharton AI professor Ethan Mollick said it's not about it's capabilities, but models that people currently have access to. "DeepSeek is a really good model, but it is not generally a better model than o1 or Claude" he said. "But since it is both free and getting a ton of attention, I think a lot of people who were using free 'mini' models are being exposed to what a early 2025 reasoner AI can do and are surprised."
Tweet may have been deleted Score one for open source AI modelsDeepSeek R1 breakout is a huge win for open source proponents who argue that democratizing access to powerful AI models, ensures transparency, innovation, and healthy competition. "To people who think 'China is surpassing the U.S. in AI,' the correct thought is 'open source models are surpassing closed ones,'" said Yann LeCun, chief AI scientist at Meta, which has supported open sourcing with its own Llama models.
Tweet may have been deletedComputer scientist and AI expert Andrew Ng didn't explicitly mention the significance of R1 being an open source model, but highlighted how the DeepSeek disruption is a boon for developers, since it allows access that is otherwise gatekept by Big Tech.
"Today's 'DeepSeek selloff' in the stock market -- attributed to DeepSeek V3/R1 disrupting the tech ecosystem -- is another sign that the application layer is a great place to be," said Ng. "The foundation model layer being hyper-competitive is great for people building applications."
Tweet may have been deleted
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...