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Heated Rivalry has audiences hot and bothered and hungry for more. But it'll likely be two years before rival hockey pros Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) return with Season 2. So what are we to do until then?

Fans are split on this. Some will tell you to plunge into the source material, Rachel Reid's Game Changer book series, which offers several spicy, hockey-centered MLM novels. Others might suggest Ember & Ice, a Quinn audio erotica drop, which reunites Williams and Storrie as winged fairies yearning for each other. (It debuted so big, the app crashed.)

Still others will recommend the "gay fever dream" that is the Interview with the Vampire TV series, as it shares an enemies-to-lovers plotline and Ilya definitely has his Brat Prince moments. However, as a big fan of the Anne Rice-inspired series, I'll warn that Interview with the Vampire is much more about tragedy and trauma than it is queer joy. So, my top recommendation for those thirsting for more of a Heated Rivalry vibe would be the upcoming A24 offering Pillion.

SEE ALSO: Why is the sex in 'Heated Rivalry' so hot? How do Heated Rivalry and Pillion compare? Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in the finale of "Heated Rivalry." Credit: Sabrina Lantos / HBO Max

An adorably eager Harry Melling stars as Colin, a timid virgin, who falls hard for a BDSM leather daddy named Ray — played by a strapping Alexander Skarsgård. This English romantic drama has earned buzz on the film festival circuit in 2025. In his review out of Cannes, Siddhant Adlakha called it "some of the most entertaining drama and comedy you're likely to see this year."

It's also hot, funny, and moving. But even at a glance, Pillion and Heated Rivalry have some striking similarities. Both Heated Rivalry and Pillion are based on novels; the former Rachel Reid's book of the same name, the latter Adam Mars-Jones's Box Hill. As Heated Rivalry was created by Jacob Tierney and Pillion written and directed by Harry Lighton, both adaptations are not only queer MLM romances with graphic sex scenes, but are also made by gay men.

Beyond that, their plotlines have a lot in common: A dark-haired young man who is very close to his parents falls for a swaggering, macho blonde who seems his polar opposite. To the surprise of others, they become lovers, thanks to the blonde initiating their first sexual encounter and being his new partner's first top. Though their relationship is initially about sex, they will grow to care for each other, leading to an awkward family meal where the blonde gets to know his lover's parents (for better or worse!).

However, from this meet-the-parents point Pillion speeds down a different path. While Colin and Ray won't ride off into the sunset like Shane and Ilya, Pillion is nonetheless a story of queer joy — but also kink.

Pillion offers BDSM kink, yearning, and heart. Harry Melling's "Pillion character poster." Credit: A24 Alexander Skarsgård's "Pillion" character poster. Credit: A24

Who says BDSM can't be sweet? Often, in the media, the kinks that involve bondage, dominance, discipline, submission, sadism, or masochism are painted with a scandalous brush that regards them as depraved and dangerous. The Fifty Shades trilogy was released with much hand-wringing over a woman surrendering herself to BDSM dominance by a man. House of Hammer, a documentary exposé about Armie Hammer, misrepresented the BDSM community by positing it as a space ripe for misogynistic abuse. And the Hellraiser franchise has been turning BDSM gear and the pleasure/pain dynamic into nightmare fuel since 1987. Occasionally, however, a movie comes along that showcases such kinks without condemnation, instead celebrating the pleasure found in the pain, the joy found in giving in, and the intimacy that can bloom between a dominant and a submissive. Following in the footsteps of such pro-BDSM film as Secretary and Babygirl comes Pillion. But unlike its sisters in kink, this offering has men in the dom and sub roles.

Like Heated Rivalry, Pillion is a tale of opposites attract that is hot, hilarious, and heartwarming. (But first and foremost: hot!) From the very start of Lighton's film, the stark contrast between his lovers is comically clear in how they present themselves to the world.

Their meet-cute is at an English pub, where Colin (Melling, who famously played Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter movies) is crooning in a tweed hat and pastel-striped blazer, performing as part of a barbershop quartet alongside his dad (Douglas Hodge). It's a wholesome hobby that actually reflects the earnestness of Colin in all things, even his emerging interest in kink. Which is piqued by the tall, strapping blonde called Ray (Skarsgård) who's playing darts in the corner with a gang of rowdy bikers, all snug in leather, metal, and fetish gear.

When Ray makes a move on Colin, he's as shocked and titillated as a blushing Shane was when Ilya got randy in the showers. Unlike Shane Hollander, Colin is out to his family, so he is quick to tell his parents that he has a date with a biker. (They're so supportive that Colin's dad lends him a leather jacket to wear — ill-fitting though it may be!)

Where meeting the parents is the emotional climax of Heated Rivalry, it's the midway point of Ray and Colin's journey. With a firm hand, Ray leads Colin by the dog collar into a dom-sub relationship, demanding the young man be submissive, including cooking, cleaning, dressing to Ray's liking (in leather and metal), and surrendering his body for wrestling foreplay and anal sex.

New to this BDSM scene, Colin is often wide-eyed and awkward, but always consenting. Their first sexual encounter is subversive, sensual, and so fumbling that it's laugh-out-loud funny. Yet Pillion never urges the audience to laugh at Colin. Instead, the deep empathy of Lighton's approach and Melling's vulnerable performance urge us all to imagine ourselves in Colin's shoes. Who among us hasn't had a crush that made us willing to risk looking like a fool? Like Shane, Colin is earnest and vulnerable in his longing and eventually loving of his partner. But unlike Shane, Colin never experiences any shame for his queerness or desires.

Pillion and Heated Rivalry use sex as a tool of self-discovery. Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams share a shower in "Heated Rivalry." Credit: Sabrina Lantos / HBO Max

Both romances portray lovers who learn more about themselves through their sexual relationship with each other. Colin's journey, however, is not about coming to terms with being queer. It's about opening himself up to new experiences, and then setting boundaries as he understands what he wants.

For much of the film, he's happy to go along with whatever Ray wants. But as their relationship evolves, Colin doesn't just "yes and" all of Ray's commands, but pushes back, demanding more emotional intimacy. Now, their "cottage" moment is less private, more provocative — involving full frontal nudity and group sex — but still sweet. On a picnic table at a camping retreat, Ray gives in to Colin's need for more romance while meeting his need for BDSM kink. And watching them both thrill in this moment is as exciting as when Ilya says he's going to Shane's cottage.

Pillion won't probe Ray's psyche as deeply as Heated Rivalry does Ilya's. There will be no tragic backstory and little idea of what Ray does outside of Colin. Yet Ray doesn't feel unknowable because of Skarsgård's nuanced performance. While Melling offers a portrait that is so vulnerable you may well blush to see his exposed wanting, Skarsgård seems initially a snarling sex god. But as Ray lets Colin into his home, Skarsgård works a glint of softness and excitement into Ray's aloof demeanor. In these moments of flickering vulnerability, we get a sense of who Ray is outside of his persona as a dom. And surprisingly, it'll be Colin who pushes Ray out of his comfort zone.

Lighton's script bonds us to Colin, urging us to understand the thrill of discovery of kink, the swoon of being under the grip of an astoundingly hot lover, and the trembling fear of not being enough to keep them happy. But it's when Colin brings Ray into his world that a new side of this smoldering dom unlocks. It's a sequence that feels more rom-com than anything in Heated Rivalry, the kind of sequence you could imagine in a Richard Curtis movie, climaxing in a gleeful, affectionate tumble in a public park. And then comes a moment, small and unspoken but definitive. Their relationship will never, can never, be the same.

Alexander Skarsgård dominates in the kinkiest and sweetest movie of the year. Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård go on a first date in "Pillion." Credit: A24

But it's Melling who makes Pillion a marvel. Scenes of Ray's seduction will make the audience swoon, yet it's Melling's dedicated openness that makes Pillion feel authentic instead of like some splashy Hollywood fantasy. This isn't 50 Shades of Gray sleek and glamourous. This is wilder, richer, and infinitely more enthralling. Pillion is not only sexy and exciting, but also funny, poignant, and a shining beacon to all those trembling about letting their freak flag fly. 

Perhaps Ray is how we might wish to seem to a new partner, mysterious and breathtakingly cool. Colin is how we might fear being seen, so earnest that it’s “cringe.” Like Heated Rivalry, these two very different lovers represent mystique and openness. One will draw you in, but you need the other to keep a relationship growing. Whether it's Shane and Ilya or Colin and Ray, this is the lesson of both romances.

This tricky emotional growth is often glossed over in Hollywood sex scenes with a sweeping orchestral score and chaste coverage. Yet, these stories of gay men in love offer nudity, graphic sex, romantic fantasy, and in the end, an earnest, unapologetic reality. The English film and Canadian series are bolder and yet more delicate, and thereby electrifying and life-affirming.

Both these queer relationships begin with a risky hook-up, then grow through chemistry and an embrace of sex and exploration. Through these steamy and ardent romances, Pillion and Heated Rivalry challenge us: What more might we experience and enjoy if we — like the lovers themselves — dared to open ourselves up? 

Heated Rivalry is now on HBO Max. Pillion opens in theaters on Feb. 6.

TL;DR: Stream the 2026 Six Nations for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Six Nations really is tough to beat. Want to see incredible speed and skill on display from supremely talented athletes? Check out the Six Nations. Want to experience intense passion from heated rivalries? The Six Nations offers that in abundance. Enjoy the sight of absolutely huge men smashing into each other? Yep, the Six Nations is for you.

It's a tournament like no other, and fans can follow all the action from the latest edition without spending anything. If you want to watch the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Six Nations?

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

The current champions are France. England and Wales have won the competition most often (39 titles).

When is the 2026 Six Nations?

The 2026 Six Nations Championship is the 132nd edition of the competition. This year's competition will take place from Feb. 5 to March 145.

How to watch the 2026 Six Nations for free

The 2026 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

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

Unblock BBC iPlayer and ITVX by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX

5. Stream the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer or ITVX without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to stream most of the 2026 Six Nations before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to all your favorite streaming platforms, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Six Nations?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Get Pok Pok for life for just $39.97 with code PLAY20 — a Montessori-style app for calm, creative play.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $39.97
$250 Save $210.03   Get Deal

If screen time ever feels like a battle, Pok Pok is the exception you’ll actually feel good about. This app swaps loud, mindless gameplay for gentle, open-ended activities based on Montessori learning for ages 2 to 8. And from now until Jan. 11, you can score lifetime access for its lowest price ever at just $39.97 (reg. $250) with code PLAY20.

Pok Pok was built by parents who were tired of overstimulating kids’ games and wanted something that wouldn’t leave toddlers melting down or begging to buy add-ons. Everything is ad-free, offline-ready, and designed to be intuitive enough for even a two-year-old to explore without help (though they might still want to show you what they built).

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Inside the app, kids can explore playful digital toys — like a dinosaur world, radio station, puzzle board, number games, and dress-up closet — with no goals, levels, or loud nonsense. It’s all about gentle discovery, tapping into curiosity instead of competition. And with new content added regularly, the fun keeps evolving as your child grows.

The handcrafted visuals and sound design are intentionally mellow, and it’s COPPA-certified so there’s no sneaky data collection or shady ads. It works on up to 10 devices, so you can pass the time peacefully on a road trip, plane ride, or that long grocery line where snacks have already failed.

For $39.97 with promo code PLAY20 through Jan. 11, you’ll get a lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, plus a surprise bonus gift shipped to your door.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $400: As of Jan. 7, the Shark Matrix Plus robot vacuum is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a 57% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum $299.22 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $400.77   Get Deal

Robot vacuums are growing in popularity, and it’s no surprise why; anything that can reduce your cleaning list is a big plus in our book. If you’ve been toying with the idea of purchasing one for a while, let this deal on the Shark Matrix Plus be your sign that 2026 is the year of the robot vacuum.

As of Jan. 7, this model has a whopping $400 off the list price, bringing it down from $699.99 to $299.99 — that’s more than half off. And, according to camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest price for this model (give or take two cents), so it really is a great deal.

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It’s a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can handle whole-home cleaning with minimal effort. It has both a strong suction and sonic mopping so it can vacuum debris and scrub hard floors at the same time, with no effort required from you. It uses matrix-style cleaning patterns to make multiple passes over floors, targets edges and corners more effectively, and maps your home with LiDAR navigation, so it can clean methodically while avoiding obstacles like furniture or stray cables. 

And the impressive stats don’t end there. This model also has a self-emptying base that holds up to 60 days of dirt and uses HEPA filtration to trap dust and allergens. And when the robot runs out of battery, it automatically recharges and resumes cleaning when needed. 

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don’t miss out.

SAVE $160: As of Jan. 7, the 55-inch Fire TV 4-Series is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 55-inch Fire TV 4 Series $299.99 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $160   Get Deal

If 2026 means time for a new TV, this Amazon deal on the 55-inch Fire TV 4-Series has come around at the right time. As of Jan. 7, the 2024 release of this TV is now down to its best-ever price. Normally $459.99, you can now make it yours for just $299.99, a saving of $160.

It's a great TV, perfect for everyday streaming. It has an ultra-slim bezel and support for 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, so everything you watch, from the latest blockbuster releases to kids' cartoons, will be vivid and high quality.

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As you'd expect from an Amazon device, it comes with built-in Fire TV and Alexa. Alexa makes it easy to search for shows, check the weather, or control smart home features, while the Fire TV OS makes navigating and general use easy. Fire OS also means you can stream from major services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, watch live and free TV, play games, or listen to music, all from the TV's home screen.

This deal is available at Amazon, get it now before the deal runs out.

SAVE $200: As of Jan. 7, the 2025 Apple MacBook Air is on sale for $799 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2025 Apple MacBook Air M4 $799 at Amazon
$999 Save $200   Get Deal

Amazon has kicked off the new year with another discount on the 2025 Apple MacBook Air. As of Jan. 7, you can save $200 on the 13-inch model, which is now down to $799. This is for the 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage option, and is available in all colors.

The 2025 MacBook Air is seriously impressive (its 15-inch counterpart was even our best laptop of 2025), created to make both life and work easier. No matter what you're using it for — video editing, writing, long hours with data — it gives a smooth performance that doesn't give up, even when you're jumping between multiple apps. It also supports Apple Intelligence, with built-in features for writing, organization, and productivity.

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The battery life is great, lasting up to 18 hours. And your eyes won't tire either, thanks to the 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display which is sharp, colorful, and comfortable for long sessions. It also includes a 12MP Center Stage camera, a multi-mic and speaker setup with Spatial Audio, so video calls will look and sound clear and professional.

You can find this MacBook deal at Amazon right now.

SAVE $290: As of Jan. 7, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is on sale for $1,129.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra $1,129.99 at Amazon
$1,419.99 Save $290   Get Deal

Ready to kick off the new year with a new phone? Well you're in luck, because Amazon has a great discount on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. As of Jan. 7, this smartphone is down to $1,129.99, that's almost a $300 saving on the list price ($290 to be exact). This price is specific to the titanium whitesilver model, but you can find all color options reduced.

It's a great phone with a whole lot going for it, and it even made it onto our list of the best smartphones in 2025. Standout features include built-in AI which is used to handle multiple tasks at once, and quicker. Even the camera is AI-powered, using it to improve low-light video and reduce background noise for cleaner clips. Portrait photos are designed to look natural, with tools that balance skin tones and keep textures realistic.

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And if you’re switching from another phone, the Smart Switch feature will make it easy to move your photos, apps, messages, and contacts across in just a few steps.

It has an average battery life of 14 hours, so you'll be set for long days out of the house. And with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, you're getting Samsung's smoothest performance yet.

Pick up this Samsung deal at Amazon now.

Fallout's second season is full of Easter eggs and references to the post-apocalyptic Bethesda games it's based on, including the enemies you try valiantly to avoid. Cooper (Walton Goggins) and Lucy (Ella Purnell) faced down radscorpions early this season, but in Season 2, episode 4, there's no getting around one of Fallout's mightiest foes.

The Deathclaw is HERE.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2 is full of game details. Here's a handy guide.

At the start of the fourth episode of Prime Video's series, we find ourselves back before the global nuclear holocaust, on the Alaskan Front during the war against the People's Liberation Army of China — the Chinese invasion of America is a major event in the Fallout games. Here, Cooper (Walton Goggins) is on the front line testing out that familiar T-45 power armor for the U.S. Marines. He orders his friend Dallas Goldtooth (Charles Whiteknife) back to base before hearing something in the chaos, an animal sound, as a horned beast emerges from the flames. As enemy troops pin Cooper down, the creature takes them all out, then shows its reptilian face, sharp claws, and long tail while giving Coop a major whiff of that maw.

Fans will probably recognise that face instantly as that of a Deathclaw, one of the apex predators that appear in basically every Fallout game. Not a boss you'd want to stumble across in the Wasteland, they're tough as nails — and extremely hard to beat without the games' signature aim-support V.A.T.S. system (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System).

Featured Video For You What tech would the 'Fallout' cast steal from the show?

Unluckily for our protagonists in the Fallout TV series, they don't have V.A.T.S., and it's not the last we see of the Deathclaws, with Cooper and Lucy unfortunately encountering one of the towering creatures on arrival in New Vegas in the same episode. Outside the Gomorrah Hotel and Casino, a key location from Fallout: New Vegas, the pair find the place strangely devoid of people — and full of irradiated, long-hatched eggs. Oh dear.

Out of the casino's illustrated flames emerges a mighty Deathclaw. This Reddit thread might help our heroes?

Fallout Season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video with a new episode every week.

Stephen Colbert has hit President Donald Trump where it hurts: in the ratings. Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors for the first time late last month, having boldly declared that the event would attract its highest ratings ever. As Colbert gleefully noted, the reality fell far short of that. Trump's hosting gig ultimately attracted just 3 million viewers on CBS — an all-time low. 

"Now, it is beneath me to gloat. But if it weren't beneath me, I'd call him no talent, low-rated Donald Trump," quipped Colbert, echoing Trump's frequently used turns of phrase.

Putting that viewer number into context, Colbert gleefully compared Trump's ratings to his own when he first hosted the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015. The Late Show host had attracted over three times as many viewers as Trump, with around 9.25 million people tuning in at the time.

"Trump's terrible numbers hurt more when you remember that he predicted it would be 'the highest rated show they've ever done,'" said Colbert. "Well, that's about as far off as a prediction could possibly be. Next to Amelia Earhart's famous words, 'One thing's for sure, I ain't getting lost.'"

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Insane.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

CRAZY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Glue.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

EPOXY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To rescind.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 7 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

QUASH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A common American last name.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for January 7 Hurdle Word 4 answer

SMITH

Final Hurdle hint

Two on a dice.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

DEUCE

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: Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This is shaping up to be an absolutely huge year for sport. Sure, the World Cup is probably the biggest event on the calendar. But there are so many other massive moments to get excited about. And there's really no need to wait, because the action starts early in 2026.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is kicking things off in February with a host of top events including alpine skiing, ice hockey, bobsleigh, snowboarding, and so much more. You can stay warm and dry whilst the best of the best compete for medals. And better yet, you can follow all the action from Lombardy without spending anything.

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If you want to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Winter Olympics?

The Winter Olympics is a major international event held once every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice. Eight sports and 15 disciplines will feature on the programme for the 2026 Winter Olympics 2026: Biathlon, Bobsleigh (Skeleton, Bobsleigh), Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skating (Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating), Ski Mountaineering, and Skiing (Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard).

Norway leads the all-time medal record for the Winter Olympics.

When is the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics is the 25th edition of the famous event. This year's event will take place on Feb. 6-22 at sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy.

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free

The 2026 Winter Olympics is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

• Australia — 9Now

• Austria — ORF

• Canada — CBC Gem

• France — France TV

• Germany — ZDF

• Ireland — RTÉ Player

• Italy — RAI

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can acvcess free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free access

4. Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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 gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 connection speeds

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From our view, the Moon is changing every night, shifting through the lunar cycle as different portions of its sunlit side become visible. But what does that mean for tonight's Moon? Keep reading to find out.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Jan. 7, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 80% of the moon will be lit up tonight.

There's lots to see tonight when you look up. Without any visual aids you'll be able to spot the Mares Imbrium and Tranquillitatis as well as the Kepler Crater. With binoculars you'll also see the the Gassendi and Alphonsus Craters, and the Mare Nectaris. Add a telescope to your lineup if you want to spot even more, including the as the Apollo 15 landing spot, the Schiller Crater, and the Descartes Highlands.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon completes one full orbit of its phases in around 29.5 days, a period referred to as the lunar cycle. As the Moon travels around the Earth, it passes through a sequence of distinct phases. Although the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, the portion lit by the Sun changes depending on its position in orbit. This variation in sunlight is what causes the Moon to appear fully illuminated, partly lit, or completely dark at different points in the cycle. The lunar cycle is made up of eight phases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Motorola is taking another swing at foldables. The company announced the Razr Fold at CES 2020's Lenovo Tech World, introducing its newest flagship and a more ambitious take on the Razr formula.

Instead of leaning into nostalgia with the flip-style Razrs, the Razr Fold is marketed as a productivity device. Closed, it looks and feels like a standard smartphone thanks to a large 6.6-inch external display. Open it up, and it unfolds into an 8.1-inch 2K LTPO screen meant for multitasking.

SEE ALSO: Hands on at CES 2026: Lenovo debuts two new rollable concept laptops, including one that grows wider

Motorola is also pushing its on-device AI harder here. Features like Catch Me Up and Next Move are designed to surface reminders, context, and suggested actions without requiring constant switching between apps. It’s all part of Motorola Qira, the company’s new unified AI platform which ties Motorola and Lenovo devices together under one assistant.

Camera specs are predictably stacked: a triple 50MP rear setup, including a periscope telephoto, plus separate internal and external selfie cameras. There’s Dolby Vision video, stabilization, and a Sony LYTIA sensor doing most of the heavy lifting. Motorola also confirmed stylus support, which makes the foldable pitch feel a little more serious.

This wasn’t the only Razr news. Motorola also showcased a FIFA World Cup 2026 Edition Razr, featuring custom branding and software enhancements. Pricing and availability haven’t been detailed yet, but it's clear that Motorola wants the Razr to be not only cool, but useful as well.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you have a twin.

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.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 7, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Lookalike

• Green: A piece

• Blue: Seen on national pieces

• Purple: Squeezed

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Doppelganger

• Green: Portion

• Blue: Common flag symbols

• Purple: Pressed using a press

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 #941 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Doppelganger: CLONE, DOUBLE, MIRROR, RINGER

• Portion: CONCERN, INTEREST, SHARE, STAKE

• Common flag symbols: CRESCENT, CROSS, STAR STRIPE

• Pressed using a press: CIDER, GARLIC, TROUSERS, WINE

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 7, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're on top of your dental hygiene.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 Mashable

By 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 7, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Open wide

The words are related to hygiene.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe mouth cleaning.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Dentists Office.

NYT Strands word list for January 7

• Dentists Office

• Floss

• Drill

• Mirror

• Fluoride

• Toothbrush

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love nutty foods.

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 hints today: Clues, answers for January 7, 2026 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 Pips hints, answers for January 7, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A nut.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PECAN

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 7, 2026

Reporting 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.

Six months after sending the world's first rollable laptop to market, Lenovo is back with two new concept PCs that have expanding screens. The tech giant unveiled the business-oriented ThinkPad Rollable XD Concept and the gaming-ready Legion Pro Rollable Concept at CES 2026 Tuesday, arriving on the heels of extensive leaks. Mashable was among the first to demo Lenovo's new laptops in the company's private showroom.

SEE ALSO: Hands on at CES 2026: Lenovo's voice-controlled twisting laptop arrives

Like last year's ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI, these two Windows laptops were birthed from Lenovo's desire to play around with OLED panels, which are super thin and bendy. Both devices seem quite polished even though they're just prototypes, so I'd imagine getting them market-ready would just involve some further durability and stability testing. (Lenovo mentioned that they were delicate before letting us get our hands on them.)

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Even if that never happens, I think we can already chalk up these rollables as a win for the company's engineering team. They already work as intended and look sick while they're at it.

Lenovo's ThinkPad Rollable XD boasts an extendable double-sided screen Left: Credit: Lily Kartiganer / Mashable Right: Credit: Lily Kartiganer / Mashable

The ThinkPad Rollable XD has an expandable display that can grow from 13.3 to nearly 16 inches tall, bumping its screen real estate by 50 percent in seconds. It looks a lot like the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 when you're facing it straight-on, but it has an extra gimmick. Its OLED display wraps 180 degrees over the top edge of its lid to create a second "world-facing" display on the back.

Lenovo said it developed a transparent glass cover in partnership with Corning to protect the portion of the OLED panel that curves behind its main "user-facing" display. This has an aesthetic bonus: You can see the fiber cables and motors that power its "rolling" mechanism. (This is now housed in the device's lid instead of its base.) It's such a flex on Lenovo's part.

Credit: Lily Kartiganer / Mashable

You can control the height of the ThinkPad Rollable XD's display by pressing a button or by swiping a finger across the edge of its lid — every part of it has touchscreen capabilities. It doesn't respond to voice commands or hand gestures like last year's rollable, but remember: It's just a concept for now. Both control options could wind up on a market-ready model eventually.

Left: Credit: Lily Kartiganer / Mashable Right: Credit: Lily Kartiganer / Mashable Lenovo's Legion Pro Rollable practically has an entire hidden monitor

Lenovo's second new concept laptop at CES, the Legion Pro Rollable, has a 240Hz OLED display that expands from both sides. It can grow from 16 inches in "Focus Mode" (its standard "unrolled" size) to 21.5 inches in "Tactical Mode," and expands a full two feet in "Arena Mode." It's basically producing an external monitor out of nowhere. For those who need more screen real estate, I think it would feel more instinctive than a dual-screen gaming laptop like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo.

Credit: Lily Kartiganer / Mashable

I noticed some skid marks on the Legion Pro Rollable's screen when it unfurled (seemingly from an internal mechanism), but they were superficial and wiped off easily. There was some subtle creasing where the OLED panel retreated into its housing. Like I said, any market-readiness polishing will probably entail some build quality improvements. Lenovo states that it's currently rated to last 25,000 roll cycles.

The Legion Pro Rollable will be configured like Lenovo's Legion Pro 7i, a premium 16-inch laptop for competitive PC gamers. Think high-end Intel Core processors, a Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, and a ton of ports.

Credit: Lily Kartiganer / Mashable

Aesthetically, it's decked out with RGB accent lighting: There's an RGB keyboard, a glowy "Legion" logo on its lid, and dynamic rainbow LED strips lining its chunky rear fan vents. It's almost Lisa Frankian in its gaudiness — you can't look away.

Heft and heat are two obvious downsides to making a laptop this flashy. It was blasting out hot air while we demoed it, and we didn't even have a game pulled up.

Credit: Lily Kartiganer / Mashable

While neither prototype is guaranteed to hit shelves, the arrival of the original Lenovo rollable laptop two years after its conceptual debut gives me hope that we'll able to buy them in a couple years. Considering the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 retailed for $3,499.99, I would start saving now.

[UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL JAN 6 AT 8PM ET/5PM PT]

Lenovo's voice-controlled twisting laptop is officially hitting the market later this year, and Mashable got to go hands-on with it at CES 2026. The PC giant still has one kink to iron out before it lands in consumers' hands this summer, but overall the device is a fun and constructive twist on the 2-in-1 form factor.

Announced Tuesday, the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist is a unique hybrid business PC with a swiveling 14-inch touchscreen that rotates on a motorized hinge. The user can open, close, and reposition its lid manually or by saying "Hey Tiko" followed by a voice command. If necessary, you can switch it between clamshell and tablet modes without lifting a finger. The screen can turn 90 degrees to the right and a full 180 degrees to the left.

Do the twist. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Auto Twist has some other fun tricks up its sleeve. Its 10MP webcam can follow your face, and if you scoot too far to one side of the frame, the device will automatically adjust the position of its display to make sure it's always facing you. This seems perfect for presentations.

Additionally, the Auto Twist's webcam supports an AI-powered "Desk View" feature that lets it look around and analyze objects near it. A Lenovo rep had it sniff out a spec card that was sitting next to it; the device's lid swiveled around so that the camera could find and scan its contents. It also clocked the dimensions and price point of the spiral-bound notebook I was holding while standing in front of it. (Six-by-eight inches, $5 to $10, college-ruled.)

Hey chat. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Booting up the Auto Twist's "Companion Mode" puts a pair of eyes on its screen that reminded me of a minimalist Nick Jr. "Face." When you chat with it, the screen's position moves as it "thinks" and "emotes." Necessary? No. Cute? Kinda!

I ran into one snag whenever I manually rotated the Auto Twist's screen back up from tablet mode, which would cause its picture to get stuck upside-down. A Lenovo rep was able to re-orient it in the settings menu, but I'm hoping a fix is coming pre-release.

Left: Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable Right: Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Auto Twist initially debuted as a prototype at the IFA trade show in September 2024. Lenovo says the market-ready version has a faster, quieter, smoother, and more durable hinge with a refined electromotor design. It also got upgraded with a nicer 2.8K OLED display.

The Auto Twist is powered by an Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processor with integrated Intel Graphics, up to 32GB of memory, and up to 2TB of storage. Its OLED screen has a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness. Its Dolby Atmos speakers rotate with the screen so that they're always front-facing, ensuring clear audio quality.

Super sleek. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Auto Twist hasn't been rated for battery life, but Lenovo notes in a press release that its 75Wh battery "provides long-lasting productivity."

The device is equipped with a decent mix of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. It measures 0.63 to 0.94 inches thin, and it starts at 3.09 pounds. It comes in a Luna Gray finish, and it's set for release in June with a base cost of $1,649.

You know you twist so fine. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Auto Twist marks Lenovo's third crack at a laptop with a twisting display after 2012's ThinkPad Twist and 2023's ThinkPad Plus Twist. The latter was quirkier in that it had an second e-ink touchscreen on the back of its lid, though neither older device supported voice commands, giving the Auto Twist an edge from an accessibility standpoint.

The Auto Twist isn't to be confused with Lenovo's ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept from IFA 2025, which had a screen that rotated from landscape to portrait mode similar to a Samsung Sero TV. Lenovo's communications manager Jeff Witt told me via email that it's still just a concept — for now. "Give us some time," he said.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

For the past couple of years, tech companies have been pushing to make a wearable AI companion that actually breaks into the mainstream. Whether that company ends up being Motorola remains to be seen, but the smartphone maker is clearly angling for a shot. At CES 2026, Motorola debuted a new wearable AI proof of concept for guests and press during its Lenovo World Tour event.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026: JBL's new open earbuds lineup gives listeners 5 unique options

I had the chance to see the device in action a few days earlier at a private media preview, where company spokespeople were careful to stress that this is very much a proof-of-concept device. What they showed us works largely as you’d expect this category of hardware to function right now. Powered by Motorola’s new AI assistant, Qira, the wearable can identify and explain objects in front of you, summarize information, and even navigate to events by launching apps on a paired phone.

Credit: Motorola

The device itself is small and minimalist, resembling a chunky pendant more than a traditional gadget. It’s encased in a glossy, pearl-like shell with softly rounded edges and hangs from a thin necklace chain. A subtle Motorola logo sits near the center, while a small camera lens and sensor array are positioned at one end. Aside from a narrow speaker slit and tiny pinhole microphones, there are no visible buttons or displays.

In practice, it teeters on the edge of being an agentic AI. Rather than just spitting out directions, the device actually opened Google Maps on the demo phone and entered the destination on its own. Some of the demos, however, felt redundant — including one where a spokesperson held up an event flyer, and the device more or less repeated the text verbatim, with only minimal added context about the speakers.

Still, Motorola may have an opening here. The bar for minimalist, wearable AI remains unsurprisingly low. Humane’s AI Pin flamed out almost immediately, criticized for its limited usefulness and high price. The Friend necklace followed, drawing immediate backlash for allegedly borrowing its design from someone else.

Motorola was clear that this wearable is still a long way from any commercial release.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

One of the coolest parts of CES is getting to preview the future of technology. LG’s iRobot-like helper robot and Sony’s XYN headset are two such examples from last year's event. Those are rather large and ambitious tech projects, but Lenovo is tackling a different sort of problem with its Self-Charging Kit Concept, which consists of a solar-powered mouse and keyboard that can charge themselves without natural sunlight

Lenovo says this technology provides "one of the industry's first true no-charging" experiences.

Credit: Lenovo

The tech uses what Lenovo calls “next-level light-harvesting technology,” which charges the mouse and keyboard using indoor light as low as 50 lux. For reference, most grocery stores are somewhere between 200 and 500 lux, so 50 lux would be equivalent to an overcast day, give or take.

These days, virtually every device comes with a throwaway USB-C charging cable, and we love the idea of having a truly wireless gadget with no charging required. Based on product images, it appears that the charging panel is right above the arrow keys on the keyboard and integrated into the mouse’s entire top side. 

Lenovo was a little vague in terms of other features, but based on the concept images, there are three Bluetooth buttons, indicating that the kit will be able to connect to multiple devices with the push of a button, and an eco mode button that will likely reduce functionality to help the battery last longer.

Credit: Lenovo

Lenovo gets points for having such a neat concept, especially one that can charge in such low light. This concept already exists in some products, such as this Logitech solar-powered keyboard, which can hold its charge for up to three months in total darkness. However, Logitech’s documentation says that keyboard needs at least 100 lux to charge, so Lenovo’s concept not only has a cleaner design, but also works in much dimmer lighting. 

Since this is a concept product, there is no release date or price tag. For comparison’s sake, Logitech’s previous solar model sells for $300 when not on sale.

Lenovo has debuted a ton of new concept products and AI laptops for CES 2026, and Mashable got the chance to spend some hands-on time with the products. Check our CES 2026 hub for the latest news and updates as Mashable reports live from the biggest show in tech.