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TL;DR: Get new tools and a fresh operating system with the Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, on sale now for just $39.97 through Feb. 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $39.97
$418.99 Save $379.02   Get Deal

When you think of making a big upgrade, you probably picture a pretty big price tag. Fortunately for your wallet, The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle delivers two Microsoft products ready to totally refresh your computer for one surprisingly low price.

For the next three days, you can get the whole bundle for only $39.97 — but you’ve got to act fast because the deal ends on Feb. 1.

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If you’ve got an old computer lying around, don’t count it out. The Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle gives it some fresh tools and a brand new operating system to bring it back up to speed.

This bundle kicks off with a Microsoft Office Professional 2021 lifetime license, giving you access to a suite of Microsoft essentials that can help you get things done. It gives you eight different apps to work with, geared toward assisting you with both personal and professional tasks, and you’ll have permanent access with no subscription fees required.

This Microsoft Office edition includes well known classics like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It also includes newer favorites like Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. They’ve all been redesigned and set up to work for everyone from designers to data analysts.

Next up? A sparkly new operating system thanks to Windows 11 Pro. This OS was created with the modern professional in mind, so you can enjoy an improved workflow thanks to a seamless interface, snap layouts, improved voice typing, and a more powerful search experience. It also takes cybersecurity seriously, so you have one less thing to worry about.

Get the Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle for just $39.97 now through Feb. 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $60: As of Jan. 29, the Insignia 32-inch Class F20 is on sale for $69.99 at Amazon. That's a 46% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 32-inch Class F20 $69.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $60.00   Get Deal

A new TV doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, we love it when they don’t. If you shop around a little, chances are you can find a great smart TV for under $100. And that’s exactly what’s on offer right now at Amazon with this great new deal on the Insignia 32-inch Class F20.

As of Jan. 29, the Insignia 32-inch Class F20 is down to its lowest-ever price of $69.99 at Amazon. A new TV for under $70? Sign us up.

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And it’s a great TV for the price, with incredible picture quality and Fire TV built in. It offers 720p HD resolution, whether you’re watching films, shows, or playing games. It also comes with Alexa voice control via the remote, so you can search across apps, launch content, or ask questions using your voice. 

And with Fire TV built in, you’ll get access to over 1.5 million movies and TV episodes across popular streaming services (Netflix, Prime Video, etc,) all in one place. The sound is premium thanks to the DTS Virtual-X which delivers a more immersive audio experience using the TV’s built-in speakers. You can also connect a soundbar via the HDMI ARC.

Get this TV deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $40: As of Jan. 29, the Dyson V8 cordless vacuum is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 10% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V8 $349.99 at Amazon
$389.88 Save $39.89   Get Deal

If you're on the hunt for a new cordless vacuum, you really can't go wrong with a Dyson. And as of Jan. 29, the Dyson V8 is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon.

If you have pets in your home, or end up with particularly stubborn messes, this vacuum will become your new best friend. The motorbar cleaner head can work across all floor types and even detangles long hair and pet hair as you go. There's three attachments to handle everything from corners to awkward gaps, and it also has a wall dock and charger for storage.

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You get up to 40 minutes of consistent suction, or a short boost in Max mode for tougher spots, with two power settings so you can balance suction and battery life. It also converts easily into a handheld vacuum, so it's perfect for cars, stairs, and upholstery. The hair screw tool is also perfect for picking up long hair and pet hair without tangling.

The whole-machine has a filtration system that captures 99.99% of particles down to 0.3 microns and releases cleaner air, so you can say goodbye to dust allergies.

Shop this Dyson deal on Amazon.

SAVE $100: As of Jan. 29, the Google Pixel 9a is on sale for $499 at Amazon. That's a 17% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 9a $499 at Amazon
$599 Save $100   Get Deal

The Google Pixel 9a is back on sale at Amazon, and as of Jan. 29, you can get the 256GB option for $100 less than usual. This discount sees the price reduced from $599 to $499. The phone is unlocked and is available in the colors iris or obsidian.

This is an impressive phone with a whole lot going for it. It even made it onto our list of the best smartphones in 2025. And if you appreciate good camera quality on your phone, then you'll love the Pixel Camera's features like Add Me, Best Take, and Macro Focus to improve group shots and close-ups.

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Battery life is a strong selling point too, with Adaptive Battery lasting over 30 hours, or up to 100 hours if you switch on Extreme Battery Saver. It has Gemini built in too, Google's AI, which can help you get things done faster by pulling information from apps like Maps, Calendar, Gmail, and YouTube Music.

And if you're clumsy, don't worry, this is a robust and durable phone. It has an IP68 water and dust resistance and a scratch-resistant display.

You can find this Google Pixel deal at Amazon.

Stephen Colbert has mocked U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem's attempts to walk back her allegations against nurse Alex Pretti, who was shot dead by ICE on Saturday. Noem quickly accused Pretti of "domestic terrorism" after he was killed, though provided no evidence to back up her claims. Widespread video evidence also appeared to debunk the narrative that he was attacking ICE agents, showing that Pretti never drew his firearm, and that said agents had removed it from his holster before he was shot.

Now the Trump administration is backtracking, and apparently throwing each other under the bus in the process. While a few Republicans have called for her resignation, Noem has claimed that she only acted according to the direction of President Donald Trump and U.S. Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller.

"Oh, so you were just following orders," said Colbert. "This was all just a nothingburger. Oh, I'm sorry. I misread that. It's a Nuremberg-er."

The Nuremberg defense, also known as the superior orders defence, is a legal plea arguing that an individual should not be found guilty for carrying out crimes if they were ordered to do so by their superior. This defence was famously attempted during the Nuremberg trials, which prosecuted Nazi war criminals following World War II. The defence was rejected.

Colbert further noted that while Noem claimed that she was simply following directions, Miller has stated that his comments were based on information provided by Customs and Border Protection.

"So Kristi Noem, who runs Customs and Border Protection, heard it from Stephen Miller, who says he heard it from Customs and Border Protection, run by Kristi Noem," said Colbert. "This is a real snake eating its own tail, which I believe is how Stephen Miller reproduces."

If you planned on buying a Tesla Model S or a Model X, better hurry: These two models will be discontinued soon.

The plan was mentioned by company CEO Elon Musk during Tesla's earnings call on Wednesday. It was later confirmed in a tweet from Tesla's official account.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

"As we shift to an autonomous future, Model S & X production will wind down next quarter," the tweet said. "If you’d like to own one of them, now’s a good time to place your order."

The move doesn't come as complete surprise. Tesla kept its two premium models alive with small updates over the years, but never really gave either model the complete overhaul it deserved (this especially goes for the Model X, which still looks almost the same now as it did when it first launched in 2015).

Instead, the company focused on its best-selling SUV and sedan, the Model Y, and Model 3, while sales of the Model S and X dwindled. When reporting sales, Tesla lumps all of its premium models together in the "other models" category, and in the last quarter of 2025, it sold only 11,642 of these, a 51 percent year-over-year decrease.

Still, the discontinuation of Model S and X is a huge deal for the company and will likely cause a lot of grumpiness among fans. The Tesla Model S was the company's first family sedan, and the first car it sold at any sort of meaningful volume (the Tesla Roadster was the original Tesla car, but it was more of a showcase of what electric cars can do).

Perhaps most importantly, unless it comes up with something new, Tesla will now have a pretty big gap in its lineup. The Model 3 and Y are a compact sedan and SUV, respectively. The Model S is a large family sedan, and the fastest Tesla car you can get; The Model X is the company's most luxurious vehicle and the only truly large family SUV it had in its lineup.

Now, if you want something a bit more posh or spacious from Tesla, you'll have to go for the divisive Cybertruck, which is selling abysmally. That "other models" category we mentioned above? It also includes the Cybertruck and Tesla Semi.

Tesla's next car should be the self-driving Cybercab/Robotaxi, which isn't something regular people will want to own. The much-delayed new Tesla Roadster should arrive in 2027, but that's a pretty extreme sports car that even Elon Musk admits not everyone should own.

SEE ALSO: Tesla cars in the U.S. no longer come with Autopilot

Instead, Tesla is increasingly focusing on its humanoid robot, Optimus. In fact, the company's production line in Fremont, California, where it used to manufacture the Model S and X, will now be replaced by a production line for Optimus.

What about the cars, though? Per Elon Musk: "The only vehicles that we'll make will be autonomous vehicles, with the exception of the next generation Roadster."

After three seasons of waltzing around it, Bridgerton has finally taken a lesson from Downton Abbey and properly addressed the c-word: class. But it's complicated.

Though Shonda Rhimes' Netflix series has long luxuriated in the ballroom gowns, glimmering tea sets, and manicured lawns of the nobility, it has avoided any direct confrontation with the complicated social structure of Regency society, instead living in a fantasy for three seasons. The show's multiracial casting has raised conversations about historical context, but class politics hasn't played a major part in the narrative, only being glimpsed fleetingly through characters like Lady Whistledown's printing press staff and the Featherington's fiercely loyal housekeeper, Mrs. Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne). The bourgeoisie have had their moments — the Mondriches' (Martins Imhangbe and Emma Naomi) social standing rose in Season 3 — but the working class has never starred in their own storyline.

So Season 4 comes as a refreshing surprise, as Bridgerton actually gives airtime (and names) to the folks who keep the Ton and the houses of nobility running. Namely, the sublime Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), a Cinderella-channelling maid in disguise who meet-cutes Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) at his family's own fancy masquerade ball. She knows who he is. He doesn't have the foggiest.

Featured Video For You ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 has the internet upset for all the wrong reasons

"Having one half of a Bridgerton couple be a servant immediately injects the show with new energy," Mashable's Belen Edwards writes in her review. "The Downton Abbey-esque move offers up a much-needed new perspective on the Ton, one where we see the work that goes into maintaining its lush fantasy. It also prepares the audience to see the world through Sophie's eyes."

Though it wasn't perfect in its representation of class divide, Julian Fellowes' Downton Abbey became synonymous with its social commentary on the overlap between the aristocracy and their servants under the same roof, the "upstairs" and the "downstairs." Like Bridgerton, Downton somewhat unrealistically presents members of the English nobility as benevolent pals of their servants, while the social line between them remains. The storylines involving the upper classes are undeniably prioritised in both series, with everyone else constantly dreaming of moving up, of "bettering" themselves. As Lady Whistledown writes in Season 4, episode 1 of Bridgerton, "This author knows best that a small amount of make-believe often has the power to remake reality to lift us up from the drudgery of a humdrum existence." Girl, steady on.

Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson in "Bridgerton." Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

This season, our lovers are from two households, both alike in dignity, but they're sleeping on different floors — one upstairs, one downstairs. Through Sophie's socially complicated backstory and Benedict's flippant privilege, the show asks interesting questions about class, inheritance, and Regency society. And it's not just because Benedict cannot marry someone from a lower social class; we've seen this love story before in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (though heroine Elizabeth Bennet hails from the country gentry, not the working class). Bridgerton leans more into the practical implications of a class divide between protagonists. Sophie needs stable employment to survive, period — Season 3 also examined the sexist links between romance and "financial security" for women. When Benedict saves Sophie from an abusive employer, she's frustrated knowing she has little chance of finding another job. Yes, Bridgerton is a fantasy, but it makes contextual sense for this woman to fear losing her role, despite the open threat within her workplace. Benedict jumps into saviour mode, employing Sophie in his own home while foolishly pretending the unequal power dynamic won't impact their crushing on each other. He's wrong.

Wait, this isn't a still from "Downton Abbey"? Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

With this Cinderella story afoot, it's prudent for showrunner Jess Brownell to take a leaf from Downton and spend actual time "downstairs." (Even Jane Austen herself made room to acknowledge the inability of the rich to function without servants.) So, we meet the Bridgerton House staff, including housekeeper, lady's maid, and event manager Mrs. Wilson (Geraldine Alexander). From director of photography Jeffrey Jur and editor David Greenspan, we're given shots of the servants fluffing pillows, dusting pianos, folding sheets. We follow Mrs. Wilson into the kitchen, pantry, and scullery where napkins are being pressed, pheasants plucked, dough rolled, and staff reprimanded for leaving bootprints in the hall. We observe who delivers the desserts and dance cards for the Bridgertons' masquerade ball. "Thrilling for them, chaos for us," Footman John (Oli Higginson) remarks.

Just like the famous bell board of Downton, we see just how many rooms the staff in Bridgerton must manage, with various shots of the bells connected to Lady Violet's (Ruth Gemmell) room, the dressing room, and the children's bedrooms. We later see the same bell service setup in the servants' quarters of Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung)'s home, Penwood House. In these quarters, we meet servants like Celia (Sophie Lamont) of Bridgerton House, and Sophie's fellow servants Alfie (David Moorst), Irma (Fiona Marr), and Hazel (Gracie McGonigal), who get their own scenes largely making fun of their employers — once, Mrs. Wilson remarks that the Bridgertons having children means more work for the servants: "They're sweet as long as you are not the one who has to look after them and mind their cries."

Oli Higginson, Sophie Lamont, and Geraldine Alexander in "Bridgerton." Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Crucially, servants see behind the curtain in pristine Regency households (they're the ones drawing them, after all). The value of keeping up appearances can easily make way for gossip between household staff — and as Lady Whistledown can attest, information is power, especially in the marriage mart. Mrs. Varley would do anything for the Featheringtons to shield them from public ruin, and has. In Season 4, we see Bridgerton staffers, including valet Hatch (Esh Alladi), covering for Benedict's rakish behaviour on more than one occasion. Mrs. Wilson is Lady Violet's closest confidante, becoming the ultimate wingwoman. In fact, Bridgerton champions the value of servants so hard this season it muscles in a storyline referred to by Lady Whistledown as "the Maid War," in which servants are in such short supply that households are fighting over them.

Make no mistake, Bridgerton Season 4 still holds the aristocracy as its core, covetable class, just as Downton did. In fact, Lady Araminta tells Sophie that impersonating nobility is a "crime." However, it's high time the show gives its working class characters dialogue and importance to the series narrative. It's not perfect, but it's a start.

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

Bridgerton has never met a romance trope it didn't love.

Season 1 introduced us to the fake relationship-turned-true love of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Hastings (Regé-Jean Page). Season 2's Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) ushered in Bridgerton's swoon-worthy take on enemies-to-lovers, and Season 3 paid off Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton's (Luke Newton) slow burn friends-to-lovers arc.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to remember before 'Bridgerton' Season 4

Now in Season 4, Bridgerton turns to another timeless romance trope: that of the Cinderella story. And the results, like any good fairy tale love story, will sweep you off your feet.

What's Bridgerton Season 4 about? Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson in "Bridgerton." Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Playing the role of Bridgerton Season 4's Prince Charming is none other than Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). The family's second son and eternal rake spent the first three seasons pursuing an art career, exploring his queerness, and just mostly having a fun, if irresponsible, time about town. In Season 4, he steps into the spotlight, albeit through no desire of his own. Bridgerton matriarch Lady Violet (Ruth Gemmell) is tired of her son's carousing and demands that he set his sights on marriage. Just like that, Benedict is on the market — and he's Queen Charlotte's (Golda Rosheuvel) favorite prospect.

So who is our Cinderella to Benedict's Prince Charming? Newcomer Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), the servant to widow Lady Araminta Penwood (Katie Leung) and her two daughters.

SEE ALSO: 'Bridgerton' Season 4 trailer unveils Benedict’s masquerade mystery

Having one half of a Bridgerton couple be a servant immediately injects the show with new energy. Throughout the series, we've primarily seen the "upstairs" of the Bridgerton household. That all changes in Season 4's first moments, which bring us "downstairs," where all manner of servants toil away to make sure the Bridgertons' teas and balls go off without a hitch. We see them fashioning showstopping desserts, debating dance card logistics, and even gossiping about the Bridgerton family while waiting on them. The Downton Abbey-esque move offers up a much-needed new perspective on the ton, one where we see the work that goes into maintaining its lush fantasy. It also prepares the audience to see the world through Sophie's eyes.

Sophie Baek and Benedict Bridgerton have impeccable chemistry. Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson in "Bridgerton." Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

When you first meet Sophie, you won't know right away that she's a servant. That's because she's at the Bridgertons' lavish masquerade ball to open the season. Hidden behind a silver mask and matching gown, she could be anyone. Yet even a disguise can't hide Sophie's wonder at the spectacle of the ball, an appreciation that endears her immediately to Benedict, who's already tired of the advances of young women clamoring for marriage. It's not long before sparks fly between the two as they share a private dance lesson full of witty repartee, longing glances, and sensuous glove touches. Gentle reader, I was kicking my feet so much during this scene, you might be fooled into thinking I was a soccer player.

Of course, like all good Cinderella stories go, the clock must strike midnight, and the mysterious princess must run back to her humble beginnings, but not before leaving behind a token of sorts. Don't fret: Benedict and Sophie will cross paths again. This time there are no masks between them, yet this makes their blooming romance all the more difficult. Benedict cannot marry a woman below his social class, nor can he fully forget the Lady in Silver he fell for at the ball. So begins what feels like a love triangle between two people: Benedict, Sophie, and Sophie's alter ego.

SEE ALSO: The 20 best Netflix TV shows of 2025

The hidden identities of it all risks becoming infuriating. (How many times did I yell, "Just tell him!" at Sophie? Too many to count!) Yet Ha and Thompson's performances manage to sell even the most ridiculous plot contrivances.

Let's start with Benedict's seeming inability to recognize a woman's voice or face. What could be sheer stupidity transforms into daffy unawareness thanks to Thompson's affable turn as a (mostly) oblivious noble man. Sorry to the Benedict haters, but for all his faults, the man is impossibly charming, and a damn delightful romantic lead.

Where Benedict is charming and free-spirited, treating the world as an adventure, Sophie is cautious. As a servant to a cruel family, she can't afford to take anything for granted, and Ha carries the weight of that harsh reality in every scene. Yet when she and Benedict cross paths, she lights up, and he learns to listen better — even empathizing with the young débutantes he used to scorn. People use the phrase "they complete each other" often in romances, and here, it's triply true. Sophie brings Benedict some much-needed seriousness, while he brings her some much-needed joy, and what follows is a potent cocktail of sweet banter and quiet yearning.

Bridgerton still suffers from too many side plots. Golda Rosheuvel and Hugh Sachs in "Bridgerton." Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Bridgerton Season 4 is blessed with an enchanting central couple and two luminous lead performances. So why does it keep cutting away from them?

Bridgerton's glut of subplots isn't a new problem, although it became exceptionally glaring in Season 3, when it robbed us of further development of Penelope and Colin's relationship. That issue persists in Season 4, with Bridgerton overstuffing its episodes fit to bursting.

Some of these subplots work well. Everything Leung does as Lady Araminta is delightfully sinister, and Violet's tentative courtship with Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) is a moving examination of finding love long after the loss of a partner. Others, on the other hand, are less successful. A growing rift between Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) nicely complicates one of the show's longest standing relationships, but it's not long before it feels like Bridgerton is spinning its wheels with these two. The same goes for Francesca's (Hannah Dodd) sexual dissatisfaction with her husband, Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli). While the story leads to some funny, then downright sweet moments, it also suffers from being a relationship caught in the shadow of Sophie and Benedict's. To paraphrase The Simpsons, whenever Sophie and Benedict aren't on screen, everyone should be asking, where are Sophie and Benedict?

Contrast Bridgerton's desire to heavily populate its world beyond its lead romance with the hottest show right now, Heated Rivalry. (Spoiler alert: Both shows involve key trips to a "cottage" that is actually a big-ass house.) That series succeeds thanks to its tight focus on its central couple, to the point that the rest of the world fades away to give them more space. In Bridgerton, the rest of the world is often overbearing. Not in a "These societal expectations are crushing us!" kind of way, but more in a "Wait, we're leaving Benedict and Sophie behind again?" kind of way.

Thankfully, the power of Sophie and Benedict remains strong enough to fuel the first half of Bridgerton's otherwise captivating Season 4. As Cinderella stories go, it's downright enchanting.

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

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

The 2026 Australian Open final is calling for Pegula and Rybakina. Both players have looked incredibly impressive on their way to this fascinating semi-final matchup. In fact, neither player has lost a single set.

Something has got to give when they come together to battle it out for a place in the showpiece event taking place this weekend.

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

How to watch Pegula vs. Rybakina for free

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Visit 9Now

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

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

Live stream Pegula vs. Rybakina in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

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

Only a handful of players are still in contention to win the 2026 Australian Open. We've reached the semi-final stage of the first Grand Slam of the season, with Sabalenka vs. Svitolina serving up the first game of this round.

Elena Svitolina has never made a Grand Slam final, but she's fresh from beating Coco Gauff in straight sets. She'll need to carry that impressive form into this matchup, as top seed Sabalenka is incredibly tough to beat. Sabalenka has already won this competition twice before, and will be looking to move on from last year's final defeat to Madison Keys.

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

How to watch Sabalenka vs. Svitolina for free

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Visit 9Now

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Sabalenka vs. Svitolina in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

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

Smooth.

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

SLEEK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A small fish.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 29, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GUPPY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A large horned mammal.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 29, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

RHINO

Hurdle Word 4 hint

That one.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

WHICH

Final Hurdle hint

A baby cat.

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

KITTY

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love painting your face.

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 29, 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: Face paint

• Green: A popular children's story

• Blue: Dishes

• Purple: Savage

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Makeup

• Green: Featured in Goldilocks and the Three Bears

• Blue: Ending with drinking vessels

• Purple: Homophones of words meaning "Brutal"

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 #963 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Makeup: BRONZER, FOUNDATION, LINER, STAIN

• Featured in Goldilocks and the Three Bears: BEAR, BED, GOLDILOCKS, PORRIDGE

• Ending with drinking vessels: FIBERGLASS, SILVERSTEIN, SMUG, STUMBLER

• Homophones of words meaning "Brutal": GOREY, GRIMM, GRIZZLY, SCARRY

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 29, 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 popular.

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 29, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 29, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Talk of the town

The words are related to popularity.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe well-known people.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Claim to Fame.

NYT Strands word list for January 29

• Hero

• Personality

• Celebrity

• Claim to Fame

• Superstar

• Icon

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 have dry skin.

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 29, 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 29, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Peeling.

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 F.

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...

FLAKY

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 29, 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.

Meta leadership knew that the company's AI companions, referred to as AI characters, could engage in inappropriate and sexual interactions and still launched them without stronger controls, according to new internal documents revealed on Monday (Jan. 28) as part of a lawsuit against the company by the New Mexico attorney general.

The communications, sent between Meta safety teams and platform leadership that didn't include CEO Mark Zuckerberg, include objections to building companion chatbots that could be used by adults and minors for explicit romantic interactions. Ravi Sinha, head of Meta’s child safety policy, and Meta global safety head Antigone Davis sent messages agreeing that chatbot companions should have safeguards against sexually explicit interactions by users under 18. Other communications allege Zuckerberg rejected recommendations to add parental controls, including the option to turn off genAI features, before the launch of AI companions shortly thereafter.

SEE ALSO: TikTok settles as Meta and Google face jury in social media addiction suit

Meta is facing multiple lawsuits pertaining to its products and their impact on minor users, including a potential landmark jury trial over the allegedly addictive design of sites like Facebook and Instagram. Meta's competitors, including YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat, are under tightening legal scrutiny, as well.

The newly released communications were part of court discovery in a case against Meta brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. Torrez first filed a civil lawsuit against Meta in 2023, alleging the company allowed its platforms to become "marketplaces for predators." Internal communications between Meta executives were unsealed and released as the case heads to trial next month.

In November, a plaintiff’s brief from a major multidistrict lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California alleged a lenient policy toward users who violated safety rules, including those reported for "trafficking of humans for sex." Documents also showed that Meta execs allegedly knew of "millions" of adults contacting minors across its sites. "The full record will show that for over a decade, we have listened to parents, researched issues that matter most, and made real changes to protect teens," a Meta spokesperson told TIME.

SEE ALSO: After settling lawsuit, Snapchat adds new parental controls for teens

"This is yet another example of the New Mexico Attorney General cherry-picking documents to paint a flawed and inaccurate picture," said Meta spokesperson Andy Stone in response to the new documents.

Meta paused teen use of its chatbots in August, following a report by Reuters that found Meta's internal AI rules permitted chatbots to engage in conversations that were "sensual" or "romantic" in nature. The company later revised its safety guidelines, barring content that "enables, encourages, or endorses" child sexual abuse, romantic role play when involving minors, and other sensitive topics. Last week, Meta once again locked down AI chatbots for young users as it explored a new version with enhanced parental controls.

Torrez has led other state attorneys general in seeking to take major social media platforms to court over child safety concerns. In 2024, Torrez sued Snapchat, claiming the platform allowed sextortion and grooming of minors to proliferate while still marketing itself as safe for young users.

SAVE 25%: As of Jan. 28, the TCL 85-inch Class QM7K Series Mini LED TV is on sale for $1,497.97, down from $1,999.99 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount, or $502.02 in savings.

TCL 85-inch Class QM7K Series Mini LED TV (85QM7K) $1,497.97 at Amazon
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With the Super Bowl just around the corner, it’s arguably the best time of year to look for deals on big screens. If you want to turn your living room into a stadium for the big game, this 85-inch TCL is the way to go.

As of Jan. 28, the TCL 85-inch Class QM7K Series Mini LED TV is on sale for $1,497.97, down from $1,999.99, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount, or $502.02 in savings.

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The biggest selling point here (aside from its size) is the Mini LED panel. It uses up to 2,500 local dimming zones to control contrast, so you get deep, inky blacks instead of that washed-out gray look common on budget big screens. It also has an anti-glare screen, which is a major plus if you're watching the game during the day and don't want to stare at a reflection of your window.

TL;DR: The Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 gaming monitor is now down to just $159.99 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount off its regular $249.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Saming 27-inch Odyssey G5 G53F QHD Gaming Monitor $159.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $90 Get Deal

You don’t usually see a high-refresh QHD gaming monitors from top brands drop to such a low prices, so this Samsung deal is a perfect opportunity for a gaming setup upgrade. As of Jan. 28, the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 G53F QHD gaming monitor has dropped to just $159.99 at Amazon, marking its lowest price to date — with a 36% discount off its usual $249.99 list price. 

As far as Samsung monitors go, this model's specs tell us that the 27-inch Odyssey G5 is built for players who want smoother gameplay without stepping up to ultra-premium prices. For instance, the QHD resolution (2560 x 1440) offers noticeably sharper detail than standard 1080p, while the IPS panel aims to provide consistent colors and clarity across wide viewing angles. Whether you’re gaming on Arc Raiders, streaming, or juggling multiple apps, it's a clear upgrade from entry-level displays.

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Performance is where this monitor really earns its stripes. A blazing-fast 200Hz refresh rate paired with a 1ms response time means motion will be kept smooth and responsive, even during fast-paced competitive play. Added AMD FreeSync Premium support helps reduce screen tearing and stutter, while HDR10 adds extra depth with brighter highlights and deeper shadows.

Samsung also includes gamer-focused extras like Black Equalizer for better visibility in dark scenes and Auto Source Switch+, which should make jumping between devices effortless. At under $160, it’s one of the most affordable ways to step into high-refresh 1440p gaming right now.

If you’re open to spending a bit more and would like a curved model, the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 is $300 off. Plus, the LG UltraGear 34-inch OLED gaming monitor is almost half price at Amazon. 

TL;DR: Invest wisely and confidently with a lifetime subscription to this OpenAI-powered app, Sterling Stock Picker, now just $55.19 (reg. $486) through Feb. 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sterling Stock Picker Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription $55.19
$486 Save $430.81   Get Deal

Too cautious to invest in the stock market? Being risk-aware shouldn’t bar you from investing — you just need the right tools. Sterling Stock Picker is an app with a personal finance coach, powered by OpenAI, ready to help you invest in stocks that align with your personal goals and risk preferences.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to Sterling Stock Picker for only $55.19 (reg. $486) through Feb. 15.

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Sterling Stock Picker is an AI-powered app that helps you invest confidently thanks to its North Star Rating System. This patent-pending technology shows you whether to buy, sell, hold, or avoid certain stocks, with AI-powered insights you can trust. The highest North Star rankings are stock rockets, companies with over 50% quarterly revenue growth, making them easy to identify.

Though it’s powered by the makers of ChatGPT, this app keeps things personal. A five-minute questionnaire will provide Sterling Stock Picker with information about your values, investment goals, and risk preferences, helping you find the best stocks for your portfolio. And if you’d prefer not to weigh in, there’s a Done-for-You Portfolio option.

If you’d like to be more hands-on, learn more about the stock market with your own personal finance coach, Finley. This OpenAI-powered tool can answer questions about your portfolio, an individual stock, or the market as a whole. There’s also a community chat forum where you can discuss investment strategies and ask questions to fellow investors.

Secure your lifetime subscription to Sterling Stock Picker for just $55.19 (reg. $486) now through Feb. 15.

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TL;DR: Scan documents right from your smartphone or tablet with a lifetime subscription to the iScanner App, now just $27.99 with code SCAN through Feb. 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription $27.99
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Thanks to our laptops, many of us can work from anywhere. That means our office tools need to travel, too. Since you can’t pack up a clunky scanning machine, there’s now iScanner App. This helpful tool turns your smartphone or tablet into a portable scanner, and right now, a lifetime subscription is all yours for just $27.99 with code SCAN through Feb. 15.

Since we almost always have a smartphone nearby, the iScanner App lets you also carry around a scanning device at all times. Over 55 million people are already using it to transform their iPhone or iPad into a digitizing machine, taking physical documents and scanning them in just a few taps.

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Whether you have to submit a form with your signature or you’re trying to save something sentimental, like a handwritten note, iScanner makes it easy to scan. All you have to do is point your camera at the page, and the app’s AI-powered features detect and adjust the borders to deliver a top-quality scan.

Once you scan, you can edit within the app with color-correction and noise-removal tools. You can save your scans as different file types — choose from PDF, JPG, DOC, XLS, PPT, or TXT.

Speaking of PDFs, the iScanner App lets you edit them if needed. It has tools for signing, adding text, and auto-filling PDFs. It also has scanning modes for text translation, object counting, measurements, and more.

If it wasn’t multitasking enough, you can also use the iScanner App as a document manager. It organizes your scans into folders, and you can use the drag-and-drop feature to sort them, or lock folders and files with a PIN for privacy.

Get a lifetime subscription to the iScanner App, now just $27.99 with code SCAN through Feb. 15.

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Khaby Lame, the most-followed creator on TikTok, has sold a controlling stake in his core business to Rich Sparkle Holdings in a deal that values the company at roughly $975 million, marking one of the largest and most ambitious efforts yet to turn creator influence into a full-scale commercial platform.

SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators shaping the internet in 2025

Under the agreement, Rich Sparkle secures exclusive global rights for 36 months to manage and monetize Lame’s digital presence. That includes livestream income, short-form video strategy, supply chain operations, and brand partnerships. The company says Lame will also become a controlling shareholder.

According to reporting from Mint, the transaction positions Rich Sparkle to expand Lame’s brand into categories like beauty, fragrance, and apparel, while also developing an AI-powered digital twin using his likeness, voice, and gestures to produce multilingual content at scale.

The company projects that this closed-loop commerce model (where everything is discovered, bought, and shipped within the same ecosystem) could generate more than $4 billion in annual sales, though that figure remains aspirational.