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Shrinking is back for Season 3, and the first episode has already made us feel all the feels.
But aside from the episode's poignant ending, there's also a surprise celebrity cameo that has people talking: Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox, who pops up in a memorable scene with Harrison Ford.
So who does Fox play, and why is it significant?
SEE ALSO: 'Shrinking' Season 3 review: My heart can't take it Who does Michael J. Fox play in Shrinking Season 3?At the start of the episode, Paul (Harrison Ford) visits a neurology clinic to discuss the tremors he's experiencing in his left hand as a result of Parkinson's disease. While waiting for his appointment, he takes a seat in next to a man who asks him what he's in for.
"Parkinson's," responds Paul. "You?"
"Just a haircut," comes his reply.
The man, Gerry (Michael J. Fox), goes on to have a conversation with Paul about Parkinson's disease and the various symptoms that can come as it progresses, including changes to speech, postural instability, muscle stiffness, chronic pain, and hallucinations.
"Enough whining," says Gerry at the end of their chat, shortly before Paul is called in. "I'm still here, so f*** Parkinson's."
Paul repeats it back as he follows the doctor. "F*** Parkinson's."
Featured Video For You Nia DaCosta and Jack O'Connell dive into '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' What's the significance of Fox's cameo?The cameo is particularly significant because Michael J. Fox himself has Parkinson's disease: He was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's in 1991 at the age of 29, after noticing a tremor in his finger.
After making his diagnosis public in the late '90s, Fox launched a foundation to spread awareness and raise money for Parkinson's research. In 2025, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his advocacy.
Fox's cameo not only packs an emotional punch in Shrinking, but it also continues to spread awareness about the various symptoms that the disease entails.
Shrinking Season 3 is now streaming on Apple TV with new episodes Wednesdays.
Volkswagen has recalled more than 40,000 of its ID.4 electric SUVs for one of the worst reasons imaginable: risk of battery fire.
There are actually several separate recalls going on here, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but they're all very similar. First, 43,881 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles, produced from Sept. 2, 2022 to Apr. 10, 2025, have been recalled. "In rare circumstances," the NHTSA says, "the high-voltage battery modules may experience a thermal propagation, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire."
SEE ALSO: Ex-Volkswagen execs convicted of fraud over Dieselgate scandalThe issue stems from shifted electrodes in the cars' batteries, which can cause a short circuit, resulting in a fire. To make matters worse, there are several similar but separate issues that could cause battery fire here, with some ID.4 cars being more at risk than others.
For owners with affected vehicles, Volkswagen will "conduct a battery health check inspection and install updated SDD software on vehicles within this campaign, and will replace potentially affected HV battery cell modules," for free.
An additional 670 VW ID.4 vehicles, model years 2023 and 2024, were recalled in January due to misaligned electrodes in the batteries, which can again cause vehicle fire. Plus, 311 vehicles were recalled in December last year over a similar issue.
This isn't just a theoretical problem; several vehicles actually caught fire because of it. For 1,299 Volkswagen ID.4 EVs manufactured between Nov. 3, 2022, and Sept. 22, 2024, Volkswagen recommends that owners park the cars outside instead of in a garage, and charge them only on AC slow chargers.
European owners of ID.4 vehicles will be happy to know that this issue only affects American-made ID.4s, whose batteries were produced by SK Battery America, in its U.S. plant in Georgia. The Volkswagen ID.4 cars that were manufactured in Europe do not exhibit the same issue.
TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box has dropped to just $24.99 at Amazon. That's 29% off its usual $34.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box $24.99 at AmazonIf you’re a Magic: The Gathering player who’s been curious about the Avatar The Last Airbender expansion, it’s never been cheaper to dive in. As of Jan. 28, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box has fallen to a new all-time low price of $24.99, undercutting the previous record we reported on by $2. This is confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel.
This Beginner Box is designed specifically for new players, but it doesn’t skimp on content. Inside, you’ll find 100 Avatar-themed cards, including two guided 20-card tutorial decks that walk players through their very first match as Aang versus Zuko. Once you’ve got the basics down, the box also includes eight themed 20-card half-decks, which can be mixed and matched to create full 40-card decks focused on different bending styles and strategies.
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!You’re also getting all the extras needed to actually play: two playboards, two Spindown life counters, learn-to-play guides, double-sided tokens, and a rules reference booklet. It’s essentially a board-game-style MTG experience that removes the usual learning curve.
With a strong 4.4-star rating on Amazon across thousands of recent purchases, this has already earned a reputation as a beginner favorite. Altogether, this is a great jumping-in point for those new to Magic: The Gathering, or veterans ready to see what the Avatar The Last Airbender expansion is all about.
For more Magic: The Gathering cards at a good price, you can also grab booster packs from the MTG Final Fantasy expansion for $8.99 each. What’s more, you can still score over $50 off the Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow Play Booster Box at Amazon.
SAVE OVER $30: As of Jan. 28, the Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses is on sale for $83.99 at Amazon. This is $35.99 off its bundle list price of $119.98.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses $83.99 at AmazonThere have been some great deals popping up on various Lego Botanicals sets lately. Whether you're looking for something colorful for your home ahead of spring or shopping for Valentine's Day gifts, it's a good time to shop. As of Jan. 28, Amazon is offering an excellent Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses deal for those looking to double up.
The Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses sets you up with both sets for $83.99. This saves you $35.99 compared to buying each set at full price. Keep in mind it's listed as a limited-time deal. If it's jumped to the top of your Valentine's Day gift list, now is the time to grab it.
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!Both are recommended for adults due to the complexity of their construction and come with plenty of pieces to keep you busy: 822 for the roses and 756 for the flower bouquet. The roses set features a dozen red roses in different stages of bloom, with four sprigs of baby’s breath mixed in. The flower bouquet offers a nice variety of roses, snapdragons, poppies, asters, daisies, and grasses.
This bundle is a nice way to grab two lovely Lego sets for cheaper than buying individually. Don't miss out on your chance to score the Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses bundle for $83.99 at Amazon.
Lego has plenty more floral sets to check out right now. Have a look at our breakdown of the best new floral Lego sets to see what the company has recently released. And if you're curious to see more sets worth giving for Valentine's Day this year, our roundup of the best Lego sets for Valentine’s Day can help you out.
BBC's Lord of the Flies adaptation has a new trailer and it's clear that this all ends in friendship, right?
Following two lauded film versions, William Golding's iconic 1954 novel has been adapted for TV by Jack Thorne (Adolescence) and Marc Munden (The Mark of Cain), following a group of students stranded on an island in the Pacific after a plane crash. And there's no grown-ups.
The White Lotus composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer has scored the series while none other than Hans Zimmer wrote the series' main theme and additional music with Kara Talve.
SEE ALSO: The 15 best British TV shows of 2025 and where to stream themThe four-episode miniseries stars an ensemble of over 30 boys, many of whom are making their screen debuts — and this is a famously violent story. Each episode is named after their characters; Winston Sawyers plays leader Ralph, Lox Pratt plays rival Jack, with David McKenna as Piggy and Ike Talbut as Simon.
If you loved Yellowjackets, get acquainted with the disturbing classic that inspired it.
All episodes of Lord of the Flies will be on BBC iPlayer Feb. 8. U.S. dates TBC.
SAVE OVER $35: As of Jan. 28, Soundcore by Anker Space A40 earbuds are on sale for $44.98 at Amazon. This is $35.01 off their list price of $79.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore by Anker Space A40 $44.98 at AmazonBuying a new pair of earbuds doesn't have to make a massive dent in your wallet. If you're on the hunt for a budget-friendly pair, it's worth having a look at the Soundcore by Anker Space A40. This is especially true right now, as select colors are on sale for $44.98 at Amazon.
Both the black and blue Soundcore by Anker Space A40 earbuds are marked down to this price at Amazon, but you can also score the white pair on sale for just one cent more at $44.99. All of these models are just a couple of dollars away from their lowest-ever price of $42.74, so now is a great time to grab them for a low price.
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!No matter what you're listening to, these Soundcore earbuds sound great thanks to double-layer diaphragm drivers. They have a noise cancelling system that can reduce up to 98% of sounds around you, so you won't feel constantly interrupted by what's going on around you. On top of that, they offer up to 50 hours of battery life when you use the charging case.
Don't miss out on this great deal on the Soundcore by Anker Space A40 earbuds at Amazon.
These aren't the only earbuds worth checking out. Our roundup of the best budget earbuds highlights even more picks we think are worth your time and money.
There's something relentless about Shrinking to me. It's just so genuine. Without being contrived, with timely jokes, with a knowing Jason Segel smile and... for f***'s sake! Why am I cry-laughing?! Again!?
Over multiple seasons, Shrinking has served up simply superb comedy that punches you in the heart and makes you deeply re-appreciate the people around you, flaws and all. Created by Segel, Bill Lawrence, and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking expertly reflects on the absurdity of grief, makes one hell of an argument for forgiveness, and celebrates the complexity of relationships. It's almost outrageous to see human connection rendered so magnificent, with facetious lines like "f*** you for being emotionally healthy right now" and "playing the Dead Mom Card" delivered with a whole heart. Every episode makes me want to scream and hug someone, which I would do, if I wasn't still sitting on this station bench dumbfounded by the Season 2 finale.
SEE ALSO: How Apple TV+'s 'Shrinking' tackles compassion fatigue, therapy, and griefSeason 3 picks up exactly where we left these now lived-in characters and ponders the courage it takes to move forward — after loss, in a relationship, through illness. And once again, Apple TV's series hits home, and I don't actually think I can handle it.
Shrinking Season 3 is all about the fear of moving forward Jessica Williams and Christa Miller in "Shrinking." Credit: Apple TVThe first season of Shrinking focused on the immediate aftermath of Tia's death and how her nearest each coped with it — especially her husband Jimmy (Segel), daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell), and best friend Gaby (Jessica Williams). Season 2 moved their raw grief into both anger and forgiveness, bringing Goldstein out of the writers room to play the man whose drunk driving accident killed Tia. Now, Season 3 focuses on a theme of moving forward and the courage it takes to do so, as well as the power of asking for help (in therapy or otherwise) — Shrinking's constant underlying theme.
Probably one of the hardest relationships for audiences to understand will be the family's acceptance of Louis (Goldstein), a connection established in Season 2 in which Alice, Jimmy, and his best friend Brian (Michael Urie) forgave the man who caused their pain. Honestly, such a bond feels like it should be unbelievable, yet the show has spent the time with these characters, developing in them forgiveness through shared trauma. Thanks to Shrinking's impeccable writing and performances from Segel, Maxwell, Urie, and Goldstein, I actually buy it. And without spoiling anything, Season 3 does acknowledge the tension here.
Brett Goldstein and Jason Segel both created and star in "Shrinking." Credit: Apple TVIt's not the only forward motion in the third season; Jimmy considers finding love again, Alice debates college in Connecticut (as "passionate girl dad" Jimmy pretends he's not dying inside about it), Sean (Luke Tennie) enjoys a casual dating life and semi-resolved father issues, Brian and Charlie (Devin Kawaoka) prepare for parenthood with help from the proudly domineering Liz (Christa Miller) and delightful Derek (Ted McGinley).
Featured Video For You Jason Segel and the 'Shirinking' cast reveal their tricks to de-stressAs Shrinking's powerhouse of a cast member, Williams chews up scenes as Gaby yet again, as she leans into an actually healthy relationship with other Derrick (Damon Wayans Jr.) and yearns for patients with higher stakes problems. When Williams enters a scene, her scene partners struggle for my attention, with her flawless delivery and comedic timing one of the show's best elements. Nobody delivers a compliment or a takedown like Jessica Williams.
And then there's Harrison Ford.
Shrinking Season 3 sees Harrison Ford at his best Jason Segel and Harrison Ford in "Shrinking." Credit: Apple TVWithout a doubt, Season 3 sees Ford at his absolute best yet as curmudgeonly genius Paul, as he navigates his increasingly visible tremors and cognitive changes from Parkinson's disease. The show quite literally has Paul saying "Fuck Parkinson's" multiple times, and you can feel it. In episode 1, the show includes a moving cameo by screen legend Michael J. Fox, who uses humour to unpack some of the symptoms of Parkinson's, ones he personally faces in real life.
Last season, an ever-stoic Paul eased into being vulnerable with his friends, family, and partner Julie (Wendie Malick) about his neurological condition, and this season, Ford keeps Paul in the same furious state of disdain toward talking about it. However, he finally (and reluctantly) requests help from Jimmy, asking, "If you see me sinking, pull me up," a request that echoes the show's theme song lyrics
This fear of leaning on others for help remains one of Shrinking's core explorations; Paul is insistent on "not being a self pitying sh*thead." Alice fears leaving her "frighteningly loyal support group" for college on the other side of the country. And Louis finds baffling support in people whose lives he impacted so deeply.
It's this humans-will-surprise-you magic that makes Shrinking so wonderful, a laugh-out-loud comedy that reminds you that asking for support and supporting others in turn is an everyday superpower. An adamant champion of human complexity for three seasons, this show is so good it boggles my brain.
Shrinking Season 3 is now streaming on Apple TV with new episodes Wednesdays.
Stephen Colbert only has four months left of The Late Show, and everyone is wondering what he plans to do next.
In the Late Night video above he speaks to Seth Meyers about the end of his show (the final episode will be aired on May 21), and any bucket list guests he wants to speak to before it finishes (the new Pope), before the conversation turns to rumors of future plans.
Colbert refuses to confirm or deny the various rumors ("I've got to keep my options open," he says), but he does rule out a $13.5 million deal with Netflix.
The reason? "Not enough money."
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 PipsIf 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 28, 2026The 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 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 28 PipsNumber (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.
Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed vertically.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 28 PipsNumber (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.
Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.
Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.
Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 28 PipsNumber (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.
Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically.
Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 5-0, 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.
TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from the UK with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
The world of porn has been rocked by age-verification laws, requiring individuals to provide proof of age in order to access adult content.
Earlier in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub responded by blocking users from those locations, and now the same situation is taking place in France.
The same situation is not taking place in the UK, but it's no less frustrating. The UK's age-verification law came into effect on July 25, but in this case, Pornhub is complying with the UK's law. It's nice that there's no total ban, but these age-verification laws still raise serious privacy concerns. The prospect of handing over information to third-party systems and not knowing how these companies are handling or storing that data is naturally concerning to potential users. For these individuals, there is a workaround.
If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from the UK, we have all the information you need.
How to unblock Pornhub for free in the UKVPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.
Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub
Visit Pornhub
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Pornhub?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).
Unblock Pornhub for free in the UK with ExpressVPN.
While Donald Trump and his administration continue doubling down on spin and rhetoric after the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration officers in Minnesota, the White House is also heavily promoting the upcoming Melania doc.
The Amazon-produced documentary is the first film directed by Brett Ratner since multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or misconduct in 2017, and follows the First Lady in the days before Trump's second presidential inauguration in Jan. 2025.
"It's a real peek behind the curtain at a woman picking out curtains," Stephen Colbert quipped on The Late Show on Tuesday night.
SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel trolls Melania Trump over her new documentaryThe host then took aim at Amazon MGM Studios for the colossal amount of money the Jeff Bezos-owned company reportedly dropped on the documentary.
"Amazon bribed a whopping $40 million for the movie and an additional $35 million for marketing, promotion and distribution," said Colbert. "So big box office, right? Wrong, social media has been flooded with images of theatres in major cities that haven't sold a single seat."
Is everyone hitting Send Help instead this weekend or...
Melania Trump's Amazon MGM Studios documentary is nearing release, and the First Lady has kick-started her promotional tour with an interview on Fox. But apparently all is not well behind the scenes.
"According to the writer Michael Wolff, Melania is bigly upset that the murders in Minneapolis are overshadowing the release of the $75 million bribe, I mean documentary, that Amazon made for her," says Jimmy Kimmel in the clip above. "Alex Pretti was killed on Saturday, the same day they had the VIP screening of the movie at the White House, and now, while she's promoting her film, she has to answer questions about it."
SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert drops truths about the 'Melania' docKimmel goes on to play footage of Melania speaking on Fox, confirming that both the president and her son Barron apparently liked the movie.
"Her son and her husband liked it," says Kimmel. "All the people in the movie are giving it rave reviews. That's enough for me. It is not, however, getting a positive response for some of the people who worked on the film. According to Rolling Stone, two thirds of the New York crew asked to have their names removed from the credits. Two is a lot of thirds."
TL;DR: Pokémon TCG: Prismatic Evolutions Booster Packs have dropped to just $12.96 at Amazon. That's a 32% discount on their usual $18.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Prismatic Evolutions Booster Pack $12.96 at AmazonGet ready to build your binder with Eeveelution pulls for less than usual, because Amazon has dropped the price on boosters for one of Pokémon’s rarest expansions. As of Jan. 28, Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Prismatic Evolutions Booster Packs are down to $12.96 at Amazon, marking a 32% discount on their $18.99 list price. For one of the most in-demand sets of the Scarlet and Violet era, that’s a solid price cut indeed.
Like those for other expansions, each Prismatic Evolutions booster pack includes 10 cards, with chances to pull rare, ultra-rare, and special variant cards from a set that’s become especially popular thanks to its Eevee and Eeveelution focus. Pack artwork is randomized, and all cards are tournament-legal, making these boosters a good fit for both collectors and players looking to freshen up a deck.
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!What really makes this deal stand out is how these packs of trading cards stack up elsewhere. On TCGplayer, individual Prismatic Evolutions booster packs are typically listed for more, and once seller fees and shipping are factored in, the total often ends up well above Amazon’s current asking price. Walmart listings also trend higher when packs are actually in stock, making Amazon the clear value pick right now.
Prismatic Evolutions has been tough to grab at a reasonable price thanks to high demand and frequent sell-outs. Single booster packs are a must-buy if you’re hoping to grab that valuable Special Illustration Rare Umbreon.
For those keen on the upcoming expansion, you can pre-order the Pokémon TCG’s Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collections at their lowest-ever price on Amazon. Meanwhile, you can still grab the Pokémon TCG: Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box for almost $22 off.
Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know your hockey.
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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: Tale of tape
Green: Platforms
Blue: Old homes
Purple: Name included
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Player bio information
Green: Sports streamers
Blue: Former MLB ballparks
Purple: Ends in a Hall of Fame QB
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 #492 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Player bio information - ALMA MATER, HEIGHT, NUMBER, POSITION
Sports streamers - NETFLIX, PARAMOUNT, PEACOCK, PRIME
Former MLB ballparks - EBBETS, KINGDOME, THREE RIVERS, TIGER
Ends in a Hall of Fame QB - FOREWARNER, HARBAUGH, HONEYMOON, OUTMANNING
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 gameHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026:
AcrossRemove from a position of powerThe answer is Oust.
The answer is Unhip.
The answer is I care.
The answer is Jaded.
The answer is Apes.
The answer is Ouija.
The answer is Uncap.
The answer is Shade.
The answer is Tires.
The answer is Ped.
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.
SAVE OVER $300: As of Jan. 28, the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon. This 39% discount saves you $350 off its list price of $899.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo S5V Robot Vacuum and Mop $549.99 at AmazonIf you've been thinking about buying a robot vacuum to help with cleaning around the house, now is a good time to shop because there are some great discounts available at Amazon. Better yet, if you've been looking for an option that also mops, the Roborock Qrevo S5V is something that deserves your attention.
As of Jan. 28, the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is marked down to $549.99 for a limited time at Amazon. It's usually listed for $899.99, so this deal saves you $350 overall. Featuring 12,000Pa suction and dual spinning mops, it's ready to tackle all the floors in your home.
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!Thanks to its 12,000Pa suction, the Roborock Qrevo S5V can clear up bits of dirt, dust, or crumbs that have dropped on your floor. There's no need to worry about hair getting tangled up inside of it, either, as it features a rubberized floating main brush (and arc-shaped side brush for corners) that resists tangles while it cleans. And when it comes to mopping, it even features an extendable mop arm for cleaning in corners.
On top of that, the Roborock Qrevo S5V also comes with PreciSense LiDAR Navigation that helps it plot the most efficient route for cleaning in your home. If it checks all the boxes of what you've been looking for, now is your chance to grab the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop for $549.99 at Amazon.
If you're curious to see what else is out there, check out our roundup of the best robot vacuums for our favorite recommendations.
SAVE $384: As of Jan. 28, the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC Series is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC Series $899.99 at AmazonIf your gaming setup is in need of an upgrade, this Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC Series deal at Amazon will improve your visuals and save you some money. As of Jan. 28, this gaming monitor is more than $300 off, down to $899.99 from $1,283. It's a great addition to any setup, with a curved screen and seriously impressive graphics.
The two-quad-wide screen also gives you more than enough space and sharp detail, so every game feels far more immersive. The QD-OLED technology makes things pop, giving you truer colors and strong contrasts. And all of this is supported by DisplayHDR True Black 400 which makes sure dark scenes are exactly that.
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!Performance-wise, it’s built for fast performance, with a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms GtG response time, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort, plus G-Sync compatibility, so there's less tearing and stutter. Other practical features include Auto Source Switch Plus, Picture-by-Picture for running two inputs side by side at native resolution, and a USB hub as well as multiple other input options.
This gaming monitor deal is only available for a limited time, so head to Amazon now to save big.
While some politicians on the right have begun to criticise the Trump administration's response to ICE's deadly shooting of nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, other talking heads are refusing to shift their stance.
One of these is Newsmax's Greg Kelly, who recently attempted to argue that the phone Pretti can be seen holding in video footage "could be mistaken for a gun." In a clip played on The Daily Show, Kelly holds his own phone up as if it's a weapon, before saying, "That's crazy stuff."
"I won't disagree with you there, that is crazy stuff," responds host Desi Lydic. "And if you think this couldn't be any stupider, never underestimate Greg Kelly."
Cue another clip of Kelly, this time telling the audience that his phone's background — a black, red and green pattern — can't be changed. "I think it's like, Black Lives Matter or something," says Kelly. "I do not support, but I can't get rid of it."
"That is the most Newsmax sentence of all time," says Lydic. "'I don't know what that is, but I do not support it.' It's amazing what you can get canceled for on the right. 'I don't support civil rights, I swear, it's a tech issue, you gotta believe me!'"
SAVE $151: As of Jan. 28, the Sony 55-inch Bravia 3 TV is on sale for $548 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony 55-inch Bravia 3 TV $548 at AmazonSearching for a new TV to transform your movie nights and live sport experience? Check out this latest Amazon deal on the Sony Bravia 3, currently reduced by $151. The 55-inch TV is on sale for $548, but the 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch models are all on sale as well.
Everything is high quality with this TV thanks to its 4K quality. But it’s gaming that really shines. This TV is built to work especially well with the PlayStation 5, with features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode that automatically optimize picture settings for both gaming and streaming without any manual setup.
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!For streaming, it runs on Google TV, so apps and live channels are easy to access in one place. You’ll also get Google Assistant built-in, giving you hands-free control.
For sound and picture quality, enjoy 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos for a more natural-looking picture and fuller sound, and the Triluminos Pro display shows a wide range of accurate colors. It also upscales lower-resolution content.
Find this TV deal at Amazon now.
When you're not a diehard cinephile or gamer, it's easy to gaslight yourself into believing that your lackluster LED TV "isn't that bad." That was me up until a few months ago, when I finally made the call to replace my lifeless 2019 Roku TV with the 2025 TCL QM6K Mini LED TV. It falls in the middle between the cheap, most basic QLED TVs possible and the comically expensive, most premium QLED TVs possible, and is one of the internet's favorite budget QLED TVs. Here's how it went.
A decent TV from five years ago isn't a decent TV nowOur old TV only lasted so long as our go-to because neither my roommates nor I cared enough to pay for anything else. But even for people who aren't that picky about specs, it was becoming unwatchable. We were noticing that our weekly staple watches were looking wonky to the point of being distracting. Red, orange, pink, and tan hues were completely muddied on RuPaul's Drag Race, football games looked like they were in sepia, and dark scenes were borderline indecipherable. The screen looked like an Etch A Sketch in direct sunlight.
SEE ALSO: The 4 best streaming devices of 2026 make any TV smarterNot to mention, the aging Roku interface had become agonizingly glitchy. When you avoid switching streaming apps out of fear that it'll send your TV into a coma, that's when you know it's time.
The QM6K speaks to "happy medium" shoppersI wrote about the coolest TVs announced at CES 2026 at the beginning of January, but I realize that list won't be appealing to everyone. To a large chunk of prospective TV shoppers, fancy several-thousand-dollar flagship TV releases aren't all that riveting if they wouldn't be a realistic purchase budget-wise. (For reference, TCL's new TV doesn't come any smaller than 75 inches and starts at $6,999.99.) That doesn't mean you're not willing to spend a little extra to avoid settling for the most basic TV.
SEE ALSO: 2026 movie preview: All the films you need to know about right nowWhile I'm not overly picky about TV specs in real life, I'm well-versed in the technical breakdowns of the different types of TVs — TVs are one of my main coverage areas as a shopping reporter. Since brightness, color saturation, and affordability were our main concerns, QLED seemed like the better route over OLED. But as a horror movie head, I couldn't fully neglect black levels and dark room performance. That ruled out any ultra-cheap QLED. The independently controlled pockets of bulbs behind a mini LED QLED TV, however, could do the trick.
Setting up the TCL QM6K was quick and painlessWe had the QM6K up and running within half an hour or so of opening the box. And much of that time was spent taking the old one off the TV mount and sticking an adhesive color-changing LED strip on the back of the new one. The old TV was recycled at Best Buy.
The TCL QM6K remote is lightweight and responsive. I wish you could customize the streaming buttons. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableThe Google TV interface is extremely easy to navigate. Someone will have to log in with a Google account for setup, and they'll then be in charge of downloads or in-app purchases. I didn't mind being the one to log in until my recent ASMR watches on YouTube started popping up on our home screen's "recommended for you" section, considering I'm not even officially logged into YouTube on the TV. Why'd you have to expose me like that, Google TV?
How does the TCL QM6K perform in bright rooms?When brightness is in question, any TV in my current apartment's living room has its work cut out for it. The natural light in here goes absolutely bonkers for much of the day, thanks to the southwest-facing wall being composed almost entirely of massive windows. The pull-down blinds barely do anything to mitigate the beam barging in.
The TCL QM6K's sports mode has been stellar, especially in broad daylight. During countless afternoon college or NFL games, one roommate or another has made a comment somewhere along the lines of "I can't believe how much better this looks than the old TV." The grass is accurately green but not blown out, team uniforms and fan merch are vibrant, the score bug is stark and legible, and the overall picture quality feels extremely clear. You don't have to squint to spot the ball or to read last names on jerseys to see who was involved in the play — it's just crisp. Not having to wait for the commentator to explain what just went down? Groundbreaking. Go birds.
No, the QM6K didn't tint the grass. It's just January in Denver. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable As immersive as I'll get until I go IRL and win both showcases. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableI think The Price Is Right is another great test of a TV's performance in a bright room. If I'm at home during the 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET time slot, that show WILL be on (just as my grandmother and elementary school Leah on a sick day intended).
The set is extremely colorful but also contains a lot of bright whites, which can get super blown out if the TV's panel can't balance the palette. There's something so joyful about seeing each contestant's facial expressions, so brightness can't be so extreme that faces aren't contrasted. I've seen countless dull TVs butcher the show's visual charm, but the QM6K has really done it justice.
How does the TCL QM6K perform in dark rooms?Remember when I said I wasn't a cinephile? I still watch a shit ton of movies, I'm just not scrutinizing the technical aspects of the cinematography or anything. For me, the QM6K's crisp contrast and robust black levels produce a solid home theater vibe.
Since mini LED bulbs are organized into individually operating zones, every few inches of each scene benefits from more precise brightness control. The areas that need to stay deep and shadowy don't get blown out trying to brighten the light parts of the scene, and the areas that do need better lighting aren't too dark to see. The QM6K's 500 dimming zones don't hold a candle to TVs in the thousands, but most people seem to agree that the QM6K achieves amazing black levels and contrast for the price.
SEE ALSO: Best 65-inch+ TVs for watching in dark and bright rooms Horror movie head on a budget, at your serviceI got my QM6K in October, and together we watched a scary movie almost every single day. (Shudder is still one of my top three most-watched streaming apps year-round.) My favorite horror sub-genre is found footage, which has inherently poor lighting to make the camcorder, webcam, or phone camera fantasy believable. And at least for my standards, dark scenes like that flourished on the QM6K's movie mode in my dimly-lit living room.
The "go into a sketchy house while trick-or-treating" segment in V/H/S Halloween comes to mind. The characters are running through a maze of pitch-black hallways with no lights but their flashlights, and that would have flopped on my old TV. But the QM6K didn't struggle to show me every nasty detail, which is only mildly traumatizing to this day. My yearly rewatch of Host was easily the most intense since my first watch in 2020. Unrelated to found footage or dark scenes, the gore, hoop skirt gowns, and glitzy ballroom scenes in The Ugly Stepsister looked exquisite — vibrant but natural, avoiding over-brightening so hard that the 1800s color palette showed up neon.
SEE ALSO: Put Dr. Kelson from '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'Horror's not the only way to test how well a TV handles dark scenes. Every Game of Thrones fan who was watching the show as it aired remembers "The Longest Night" — or at least they remember being pissed off about it, because the episode was so dark that most people couldn't tell what was going on.
The cinematographer said that it was actually your TV that couldn't do the episode justice. Back in 2019, it was relatively uncommon to have a "nice" TV like today's capable QLED and OLEDs at home. But with the TCL QM6K now hanging on my wall, I had to head back to Season 8 to see the difference for myself. Fine, I'll rewatch my favorite show again for science. Twist my arm.
A scene with the color-changing light strip on. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable A scene with the color-changing light strip off. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableIt turns out, the entire episode was more than an hour-long black blob with subtitles! All of the infamous dark screenshots from the 2019 Twitter spiral were wickedly defined this time around. I preferred movie mode to the slight brown haze of filmmaker mode, but I'm sure filmmaker mode is helpful in another context.
I didn't have to rely on subtitles to decipher intimate interactions between key characters — I could actually see the look in their eye. The dragons didn't blend in with the smoky sky. From the up-close carnage during clashes with the Dead to the heartbreaking deaths of a nauseating number of big characters, I really felt like I could see just about everything that the cinematographers intended. I have goosebumps thinking about being able to see what the hell is going on in House of the Dragon season 3 this summer.
SEE ALSO: The 11 best video games of 2025 Is the TCL QM6K good for gaming?I don't really play video games besides Mario Kart and Animal Crossing. But someone else in my household is a huge PS5 player, so I had him bring his console out to the living room to compare the experience to his ancient bedroom TV.
Dark Souls III, Red Dead Redemption 2, and the Elden Ring DLC all played deliciously on the QM6K. When I sarcastically asked, "So this is better than your usual TV?" the immediate response was literally a laugh followed by, "Better isn't even a strong enough word." He specifically mentioned how instantaneous the response times felt (for reference, the TCL QM6K offers 4K at 144Hz, VRR, and ALLM). Even as a mere observer of Red Dead being played on each TV, it was hard not to be drawn in by the lush graphics on the QM6K.
DownsidesI wish that the QM6K had better glare reduction. The QM6K gets bright enough to overpower the most egregious glow coming from the windows or indoor lamps, but the screen is far from matte. Dark scenes do mirror your reflection back to you in certain lighting. It's still infinitely easier to see than my last TV, though.
The reflections got distracting sometimes, but the overall vibrancy made up for it. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableI compared my notes with reviews from CNET's Ty Pendlebury and PCMag's Will Greenwald. (CNET and PCMag are both owned by Mashable's parent company, Ziff Davis.) In terms of room for improvement, the general consensus is that the QM6K could be even brighter, especially if you really care about HDR. The color gamut could also be wider.
But for the most part, those criticisms stem from comparisons to higher-end TVs that are expected to be brighter and more colorful, anyway. Both Pendlebury and Greenwald spoke extremely highly about the QM6K's color accuracy, deep black levels, and overall picture quality for a TV in this price range.
Is the TCL QM6K worth it?If you're not a stickler about TV specs, there's obviously no reason to spend a ton of money on an elite OLED TV. But not being a strict cinephile or gamer doesn't mean that you should settle for a no-frills TV just because it's cheap.
The TCL QM6K offers an incredible value between those two extremes, especially given the fact that every size can consistently be found for nearly 50% off. Once you make the switch from the old TV you've dealt with for years, I think you'll find that you actually notice TV specs more than you thought.
TCL QM6K 55-inch mini LED QLED TV $449.99 at Best Buy
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