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SAVE 80% OR MORE: Right now, Le Wand is offering all kinds of crazy deals, including up to 80% off select vibrators, up to 60% off bundles, freebies (with eligible purchases), and deals under $50.

Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand New Year Sale Get up to 80% off select vibrators, plus tons of other deals at Le Wand Shop Now

If there’s one New Year’s resolution I can get behind every year, it’s prioritizing pleasure and self-care — especially when you can do it on a budget.

Right now, Le Wand is offering some insanely good deals on luxe vibrators and bundles, including deals under $50 and freebies with qualifying purchases. Here’s everything you need to know about Le Wand’s New Year’s Sale and how to get the best bang for your buck.

Get up to 80% off select vibrators and dildos

Obviously, the most newsworthy nugget of info here is that you can score up to 80% off select vibrators and dildos, including The Rose Suction Vibrator (this little vibe is a customer fave and way more reliable than the sketch knockoffs on Amazon), the two-piece G-Spot Pleasure Glass Dildo Set (it’s only $21!), the Le Wand Blend (currently $95.99 off) and tons of other products.

Opens in a new window Credit: TRose Toy Officialhe The Rose Suction Vibrator (Mint) $14.99 at Le Wand
$99.99 Save $85   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Blend $79 at Le Wand
$174.99 Save $95.99   Get Deal

Honestly, I'm shocked at how good these deals are. Some dildos are going for as low as $5.60! That’s insane. You don’t even need a promo code; add to cart, and the discount will automatically apply.

Get up to 60% off bundles

If you’re interested in buying in bulk or genuinely want to impress/surprise your partner, Le Wand also has a subsection of deals on curated bundles, including the Dive Into Wand Bundle (currently $124.80 off), the Le Wand Little Pleasures Set (currently $100 off), and the Le Wand $600 Wanderful Bliss Bundle (currently $425 off).

Deals under $50

If you’re on a tight budget, Le Wand has pages and pages of vibrators, butt plugs, dildos, and more, all listed for less than $50. Some standout deals include the Le Wand Point (for those who prefer pinpoint clitoral stimulation over penetration), the Glas Toy 7.5-inch Orange Tickler Glass Dildo (it’s only $9.90!), and the Rabbit Essentials Rabbit Vibrator with Rotating Beads (for those who want to experience a blended orgasm). You’ll want to move fast, though; tons of items are already marked as sold out.

Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand Point $36.99 at Le Wand
$129.99 Save $93   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Rabbit Essentials Rabbit Essentials Slim Shaft Vibrator with Rotating Beads   Get Deal Get a free storage bag or hands-free wand holder

As an added bonus, if you pick up any of the newest vibes from the Le Wand Classique Wands collection, you’ll get a freebie tossed in. Depending on what you grab, you'll score either a free storage bag or a hands-free wand holder with your purchase.

SAVE $50: As of Jan. 2, get the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) for $229.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $279.99. That's a discount of 18% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) $229.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $50   Get Deal

The winter chill has been taunting many of us for quite a few weeks now, and it's also translated into higher energy bills. If you're tired of spending an arm and a leg to heat your home, it might be time to look into a smart thermostat. Case in point: a Google Next smart thermostat that can not only help making heating your home less of a chore, but save you some serious cash. And it can only make your smart home better.

As of Jan. 2, get the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) for $229.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $279.99. That's a discount of 18% and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Readers' Choice Awards 2025: Your favorite smart home brands

This newly-released smart thermostat, which debuted in August 2025, lets you set and adjust the temperature of your home manually or via connected app. It works with most systems and doesn't need a C-wire or a complicated install. It comes in a number of colors that can match just about any decor, too.

You can set the thermostat yourself, program times when it's off and on, or let it learn your routines to help you save money. It will eventually set up its own timing to optimize when you'll need cooling or heat so you don't have to do all the guesswork.

With a bright, easily readable display, ways to control it even when you're far away from home, and an affordable price, this is the best way to go about cutting those bills. And you can get the thermostat itself for a great price too.

SAVE $500: The Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station is on sale for $799, down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 38% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station $799 at Bluetti
$1,299 Save $500   Get Deal

Winter temps are not for the weak. Spending time outdoors during winter months in some part of the country requires special gear. We layer up with merino wool, down jackets, and windproof hats to help combat the chill, but our tech can also suffer. Your phone's battery is likely to diminish quicker if you're outside in super cold temps while other devices simply aren't meant to be operated in the severe cold. That's true for most portable power stations, but Bluetti has a new model that's cool with a chill, and it's on sale today.

As of Jan. 2, the Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station is on sale for $799, down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 38% discount that shaves $500 off the price.

While most portable power stations are not designed to operate or recharge in super cold temps, the Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) is meant to work in temps as long as -13 degrees and be able to safely recharge in temps as low as 5 degrees. That means this is the perfect model if you'll be heading out for winter camping, ice fishing, or taking a power station along to the jobsite this winter.

Bluetti used sodium-ion battery cells in this model which gives it the ability to be unphased in cold temperatures. For comparison, the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station (one of my absolute favorites) is only safe to operate in temps as low as -4 degrees and can only recharge if the temperature is at least 32 degrees. That means the Bluetti has a huge advantage in both operating and recharging in the cold.

SEE ALSO: Outdoor deals at Amazon include a 45% discount on the Garmin inReach Messenger

Overall, the Bluetti Pioneer Na packs in 1,500Wh of power. With the Bluetti app, you can activate Power Lifting Mode which gives you the ability to get up to 2,250W of power for operating kettles, space heaters, or an electric blanket.

Of course, you can also put the Bluetti Pioneer Na to good use at home during a power outage. You'll be in line for keeping the refrigerator on for almost 20 hours or the WiFi router on for almost 44 hours.

Before your next outdoor job or ice fishing adventure this winter, get equipped with the cold-weather friendly Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station. You'll be able to save $500 by taking advantage of this early 2026 sale price.

SAVE $50: As of Jan. 2, get Assassin's Creed Shadows (PS5) for $29.99 at Best Buy, down from its usual price of $69.99. That's a discount of 57% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Assassin's Creed Shadows $29.99 at Best Buy
$69.99 Save $40   Get Deal

The new year is here, and if you snagged a PlayStation 5 console or have some fresh gift cards to spend after the holidays, now's the time to get some shopping in. You can get some great deals in, especially if you want to pick up a few video games here and there. Case in point: the PS5 edition of Assassin's Creed Shadows, a 2025 release that you might have been thinking about adding to your backlog.

As of Jan. 2, get Assassin's Creed Shadows (PS5) for $29.99 at Best Buy, down from its usual price of $69.99. That's $50 off and a discount of 57%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best video games of 2025

Set in feudal Japan, this installment of the long-running Assassin's Creed series focuses on the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order, both organizations at odds with fighting for peace through their own very different means. This entry has dual protagonists once more: kunoichi Fujibayashi Naoe, and samurai Yasuke, both with different types of play styles.

This action RPG is a lot like the rest of the games in the Assassin's Creed series, but the first to fully delve into this time period and location, rewarding players with an open world to explore, tons of different non-linear missions to tackle, and the new ability to crawl and go prone as well as "Observe" mode to glean information about potential targets.

If you're ready to tackle a new gaming challenge, don't sleep on this deal and grab it while it's still available at Best Buy.

SAVE $178.95: As of Jan. 2, the Bose QuietComfort headphones are down to just $170.05 in the sandstone shade at Amazon. That's 51% in savings and their lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $170.05 at Amazon
$349 Save $178.95   Get Deal

If you want above-average noise-cancelling headphones that you can wear all day and that won't cost you a few hundred bucks, the Bose QuietComfort headphones check all the right boxes. And as of Jan. 2, they're down to their best price ever.

You can pick up the Bose QuietComfort headphones for only $170.05 in the sandstone shade at Amazon. That's over half off and their lowest price on record in this color. We saw this same deal pop up in mid-December, then immediately disappear. So we recommend adding it to your cart ASAP if you want to secure the savings.

While the QuietComfort Ultras are the best noise-cancelling headphones we've ever tested, their more basic sibling — the QuietComforts — are still pretty awesome. They're currently also $229 cheaper in the same shade, for what it's worth. You'll still get impressive noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, rich audio, and up to 24 hours of battery life. The only drawbacks are that the app doesn't include those next-level AI features and they don't offer spatial audio.

"For the person looking for great sound, these fit the bill. While the audiophile might miss not having spatial audio, the average person will be more than satisfied with the headphone's full, rounded sound," Mashable's reviewer Sam Mangino writes. If you want to save a bit of money, they certainly won't disappoint.

SAVE $20: The Kindle (16GB) is on sale for $89.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $109.99. That's an 18% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle (16GB) $89.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $20   Get Deal

A new year means a fresh start to work on health habits. If you're looking to cut down on time spent scrolling, you've got tons of options. Many of us turn to activities like puzzles, working out, cooking, or reading to help put the phone down. You can even enlisting the help of The Brick. But if your number one goal is 2026 is to read more, check out this deal.

As of Jan. 2, the Kindle (16GB) is on sale at Amazon for only $89.99, marked down from the standard price of $109.99. That's an 18% discount that takes $20 off the usual price.

In Mashable's review of the best Kindles, the original Kindle earns the spot as the best budget model. Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino likes this version because of its compact size, affordable price, and ample storage space of 16GB. It gets bonus points as being the lightest Kindle.

SEE ALSO: All 6 of the books that inspired "Heated Rivalry" are over half off at Amazon

In Mangino's full review of the basic Kindle, she wrote, "If you're shopping for an e-reader on a budget, the Amazon Kindle is the answer. It has 16GB of storage and a great display." The six-inch display screen is perfect for packing along on you next trip or for people with smaller hands.

Keep in mind the basic Kindle does lack a few elements that we love on most other Kindle models. Notably, it's not waterproof which means this isn't the right model if you like to read in the bathtub or plan to take it poolside. The battery life is also less impressive compared to other models. However, Mangino notes the six-week battery life is still solid.

If you're looking for the most affordable e-reader, you can't go wrong with the Amazon Kindle. Now that it's on sale for $89.99, go all-in on your 2026 reading goals. Remember to snag free e-books via the Libby app and take advantage of Stuff Your Kindle sales.

SAVE 22%: As of Jan. 2, you can get the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Cooking System (FN101GD) for just $139.98, down from $179.99. That's a 22% discount or $40.01 savings.

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Cooking System (FN101GD) $139.98 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $40.01   Get Deal at Amazon

If your 2026 goal is to eat more home-cooked meals and use fewer takeout containers, this deal is for you.

As of Jan. 2, the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer is on sale for $139.98, down from $179.99, at Amazon. That's a 22% discount and the lowest price we've tracked on this model. While it hit this record low on Dec. 2, 2025, it beats out the $159.95 price we saw during the peak of Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: We tested the most popular Ninja appliances in our own kitchens. Here's what we found.

The Crispi is essentially a portable air-fryer lid that turns the included glass storage containers into a full cooking system. You can air-fry, bake, or reheat directly in the four-quart or six-cup glass containers. Once you're done, you just pop on the leak-proof storage lid and put it in the fridge. It’s the ideal kitchen gadget for meal preppers because it eliminates the "I don't want to wash another pan" excuse that usually leads to ordering a pizza.

The PowerPod delivers the heat of a full-sized air fryer in a unit that fits in the palm of your hand. Borosilicate glassware is thermal shock-resistant, meaning it can go from the freezer to being crispy in minutes. Plus, the containers, adapters, and lids are all dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

SAVE $38.03: As of Jan. 2, the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro is down to a new best-ever price at Amazon. Get it for just $60.97 in the light green colorway — a savings of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $60.97 at Amazon
$99 Save $38.03   Get Deal

Nobody was as surprised as we were that a sub-$100 smartwatch dominated the competition in 2025. Nothing's CMF Watch 3 Pro, which earned a near-perfect rating in our testing, is easily one of the best smartwatches of last year. And as of Jan. 2, it's hit a new record-low price.

An excellent value at its full cost of only $99, you can pick up the CMF Watch 3 Pro to kick off the new year for a best-ever price of $60.97 at Amazon. That's 38% in savings and even cheaper than it was earlier this week. The only catch? You'll have to go with the light green colorway (which is arguably the best choice anyways).

When Mashable Contributor Lauren Allain tested the watch for herself, she said it "looks, feels, and functions like a smartwatch that costs hundreds more." Not only can it last over two weeks on a charge, blowing the Apple Watch out of the water, but it is also packed with features like blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and precise heart-rate monitoring. Runners will love the included running coach feature, while athletes of all kinds will appreciate the dual-band GPS tracing, which is so precise it can tell which side of the road you're on. The Watch 3 Pro's only drawbacks are that it's a little bulky for smaller wrists and that the ChatGPT integration only works if you also have a Nothing phone.

If you're not a fan of the light green, you can also grab the watch in dark gray, orange, or ash gray. While none of those colorways are quite as discounted as the green, they're all still on sale as of Jan. 2. You'll pay less than $90 no matter which option you choose.

GET $100 CREDIT: Sign up at Samsung for free to receive $100 in Samsung Credit toward select 2026 products.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Free $100 Credit Use toward select 2026 Samsung tech. Get Deal

It's finally 2026, and that means plenty of new tech is on the way. CES 2026 is around the corner, and as usual you'll be able to sample some of the latest and greatest from companies like Samsung. And because the newest gadgets are going to likely be pretty pricey, Samsung wants you prepped and ready to buy with a special deal of its own you can lock in now.

Right now, you can sign up at Samsung for free to receive $100 in Samsung Credit toward select 2026 products. All you need to do is provide your name, email, optional cell number, state, and zip code. In return you'll receive email updates from Samsung, and you'll be eligible to receive up to $100 off qualifying Samsung tech, all of which can be verified as eligible here.

SEE ALSO: What to expect from Samsung at CES 2026

Whether you're a regular Samsung die-hard or you just plan on picking up some new tech now that we're finally in 2026, a $100 credit is hard to beat, especially when you don't have to do much to get it.

Be sure to grab your qualifying signup as soon as possible, as CES 2026 is happening in just a few days, from Jan. 6 to Jan. 9. There, you'll get a look at some of the best Samsung will have to offer, and you'll be rest assured that at least some of it can be yours for up to $100 off. These days, as you're likely well aware, every little bit helps.

SAVE 35%: As of Jan. 2, you can get the Beats Solo 4 for $129.95, down from $199.95. That's a 35% discount or $70 in savings.

Beats Solo 4 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at Walmart

Whether you’ve actually started going to the gym (on Jan 2?! Good on you!) or you just need a way to block out the world so you can focus on your first deadlines of the year, a solid pair of headphones is basically a self-care requirement at this point.

SEE ALSO: We tested the best headphones and earbuds for working out

As of Jan. 2, the Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $129.95, down from $199.95, at Amazon. That's a 35% discount or a $70 price cut. While this isn't an all-time low (we saw them priced at $99.99 during Black Friday), $70 is still a decent discount on a top-notch pair of headphones. Even without the discount, the Beats Solo 4 are our favorite budget Beats headphones for their balance of performance and value.

The Beats Solo 4 are built for a more immersive listening experience; thanks to their re-engineered 40mm transducers and Personalized Spatial Audio, you should feel like your music is surrounding you rather than just blending into a single baseline. You'll get up to 50 hours of listening time on a single charge, which is literally double the battery life of the much more expensive AirPods Max. If you're heading out and realize you're low on power, a quick 10-minute charge will give you an additional five hours of playback. They're also ultra-lightweight and have plush ear cushions, so they won't feel like they're crushing your skull during a long work session.

SAVE $196.39: The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (Graphite) is on sale at Amazon for $253.60, down from the usual price of $449.99. That's a 44% discount and a record-low price at Amazon. But act quick, as this is a limited-time Lightning Deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (Graphite) $253.60 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $196.39   Get Deal

Now that we're officially in 2026, some people are thinking about resolutions. Fitness goals are always some of the most popular, and if you fall into that category, you probably want a fitness tracker to keep better tabs on your progress. Garmin makes some of the most versatile models, and there's a massive discount today at Amazon.

As of Jan. 2, the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (Graphite) is on sale for $253.60 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $449.99. That's a major 44% discount that takes $196.39 off the price. It's also a new record-low price at Amazon.

Some tech advancements make so much sense that it feels silly we went without them for so long. In this example, I'm talking about a watch face that serves as a way to recharge via solar. It just makes so much sense. Garmin claims that the Instinct 2X Solar produces 50 percent more energy through the Power Glass lens compared to its predecessor. When exposed to three hours of sunlight each day, you'll be in line for never-ending battery life.

SEE ALSO: 5 fitness apps to help with your 2026 New Year’s resolutions

The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar will help top up the battery while you're outside on a run, dog walk, or simply out running errands. But more than that, it's a tough and durable fitness tracker that's ready to accompany you on adventures.

Garmin packed the Instinct 2X Solar with features you'll want on the trail, like 24/7 health tracking, a three-axis compass, a barometric altimeter, a built-in flashlight, and even an SOS strobe mode. Of course, you also get more standard features like heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and a pulse oximeter.

Keep in mind this is an Amazon Lightning Deal, and at the time of writing, it was 89 percent claimed. If the sale on the Graphite colorway sells out before you get to it, toggle over to the Whitestone colorway option, which is also on a nice 36% discount. It's not quite the 44% discount on the Graphite, but it's still well worth it.

Before your 2026 trail runs, swims, or off-grid hikes kick into full throttle, upgrade to the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar while it's on sale for a record-low price at Amazon.

As the largest maker of electric vehicles in the United States, Tesla suffered more than other carmakers from the elimination of federal incentives.

Dating Sunday is almost here. 

Landing in the sweet spot between the winter holiday season and Valentine's Day, Dating Sunday — typically the first Sunday of the year — is when eager singles emerge from hibernation to swipe on dating apps in droves. The term traces back to 2016, when apps took notice of the post-New Year's Day frenzy. In 2020, Match's chief dating expert Rachel DeAlto went so far as to call the day the "Super Bowl of dating apps."

When is Dating Sunday this year?

With this kind of marketing, it's easy to have high expectations for Dating Sunday, which falls on Jan. 4, 2026. As a seasoned veteran of both the day and dating apps in general, however, I'm here to tell you that those hopes may not be met. You may not find the love of your life on Dating Sunday — and that's OK.

SEE ALSO: Our 5 predictions for dating in 2026

To the apps' credit, there are stats behind the hoopla: OkCupid typically sees a 70 percent increase in user activity on Dating Sunday. Tinder estimates that 10 percent of all January swipes occur on that date as well.

The reasoning behind it also makes sense. People may take time off dating during the holidays to focus on family, yet the time can remind us of our singleness; December is "proposal season," after all. Plus, January is often seen as a "fresh start," and daters may have newfound optimism to go out and find a partner. Throw in the close proximity to Valentine's Day, and it's totally logical that our thumbs are a-swiping. 

One day — or even a month — of swiping won't determine what the rest of the year will be like. 

Liubomyr Pivtorak, chief product officer at Hily dating app, says Dating Sunday isn't just about an increase in traffic to the apps. "We see a sharp increase in matches and conversations, with people replying faster and sustaining longer exchanges than usual," says Pivtorak. "It's the moment when motivation is still high and everyone’s giving dating a real try, right before that drop-off kicks in.”

I understand why Dating Sunday falls when it does, but I believe starting out the year with it could be detrimental. If you fail to find a match on Dating Sunday, you may think it's somehow a sign of what's to come during this year, that 2026 is doomed to be like last year and the year before. 

This isn't true. One day — or even a month — of swiping won't determine what the rest of the year will be like. The most popular apps (like Tinder and Bumble) have millions of users, and they'll be active well beyond Dating Sunday. There will be more opportunities beyond the first two Sundays of the year. Perhaps the days in between may be lucrative too! Or the days, weeks, and months afterwards.

The danger is treating it like a sprint, when dating is really a marathon.

"If you’re not careful, you can burn out before you’ve even started," says Sylvia Linzalone, dating expert at UK-based dating app Wisp. "The danger is treating it like a sprint, when dating is really a marathon."

SEE ALSO: 5 ways dating changed in 2025

"Dating Sunday isn’t about finding ‘the one’ in 24 hours," Linzalone says. "It’s about starting the year with clarity. Use the energy of the day to set better habits – whether that’s messaging with more intention, meeting sooner, or being clearer about what you want." 

Remember: How Dating Sunday shakes out won't be a predictor for the rest of the year. Don't participate if you don't want to; you can find love another time. Those excited singles won't vanish when Monday rolls around.

You want a potential match that puts in the effort, so you should do so too.

If you do want to put your best foot forward, however, by all means do it. On Dating Sunday, experts recommend that you complete your bio and include at least three photos of yourself. You want a potential match that puts in the effort, so you should do so too.

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir in terms of managing expectations. Just remember what Linzalone says: it's a marathon, not a sprint.

This article was first published in 2022 and republished in 2026.

“When we came into the studio last year to record our resolutions, I had the best of intentions.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Hype

• Green: Casino moves

• Blue: Robin Hood

• Purple: Almost hockey

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Full of energy

• Green: Actions with a deck of playing cards

• Blue: Archery terms

• Purple: NHL teams, with the last letter changed

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #466 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Full of energy - FRESH, INVIGORATED, RESTED, RESTORED

• Actions with a deck of playing cards - CUT, DEAL, DRAW, SHUFFLE

• Archery terms - ARROW, BULLSEYE, NOCK, QUIVER

• NHL teams, with the last letter changed - BLUEY, DUCKY, START, WILT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for January 2, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 2 Pips

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.

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

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 2 Pips

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 2 Pips

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Jan. 2, 2026:

AcrossFill in the ___

• The answer is Blank.

Large quantity at a pot dispensary

• The answer is Ounce.

Remove one's name from, as an online photo

• The answer is Untag.

Org. whose upcoming Artemis II mission will launch astronauts around the moon

• The answer is NASA.

Parched

• The answer is Dry.

DownHop like a kangaroo

• The answer is Hop.

___ lander (moon vehicle)

• The answer is Lunar.

Squirming in one's seat

• The answer is Antsy.

College Football Playoff org.

• The answer is NCAA.

Beer dispenser

• The answer is Keg.

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

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

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

The MCU is about to take a good hard look at itself from within itself in the upcoming Disney+ miniseries Wonder Man, from Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton and Community writer Andrew Guest. And looking at the trailer, we're in for some actual fun. Remember fun?

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Simon Williams, an actor trying for that big break when a superhero role emerges on the horizon. Who better to teach him the art of faking it till you make it? None other than Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), the performer we last saw playing the role of terrorist leader The Mandarin in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The thing is, Simon seems to be developing actual powers himself.

It's one of the shows we're most looking forward to this January, and you can check out our 2026 TV preview on Mashable.

Wonder Man premieres Jan. 27 on Disney+.

More governments are rolling out chatbots in schools. Some experts warn the tools could erode teaching and learning.

Samsung is going to have a very busy CES 2026.

The company typically brings new TVs and gaming displays to the show, and that's exactly what's on schedule for CES 2026 as well. But being the consumer tech behemoth that it is, Samsung is firing on all cylinders.

For example, the company pushed out 18 press releases in December alone, many of them pre-announcements of the stuff Samsung is bringing to CES – and that doesn't count the pre-embargoed releases which are scheduled to see the light of day over the next week.

The company has also built an entirely new, massive exhibition space at The Wynn where it can showcase its ambitious AI vision.

Let's take a look at the most interesting stuff we expect to see from Samsung at CES 2026.

Micro RGB TVs Forget about OLEDs (maybe), Micro RGB TVs are coming. Credit: Samsung

Both Samsung and LG have announced a full range of Micro RGB TVs to be launched at CES 2026. For a full explainer what Micro RGB TVs are, go here; the short version is that they're TVs which should come close to OLED picture quality at a lower price.

In particular, Samsung said that in 2026 it would expand its Micro RGB TV lineup with 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, 100- and 115-inch models (the company previously launched a massive, 115-inch TV in 2025).

SEE ALSO: The top 6 CES 2026 trends I expect to see at tech's biggest show

It's still early days for Micro RGB TVs, though, and we're eager to see how good these are with our own eyes.

Gaming monitors No glasses needed for 3D on this one. Credit: Samsung

This is another tradition by Samsung: The company almost always unveils new gaming monitors at CES. This year, the company is bringing its 2026 Odyssey gaming monitor lineup, including the world's first 6K glasses-free 3D gaming monitor called the Odyssey 3D.

Other new devices include the Odyssey G6, the world's first 1,040Hz gaming monitor, as well as several new Odyssey G8 models, including a 6K, 5K, and OLED variant.

Folding phones Samsung's first tri-folding phone is coming to America. Credit: Samsung

The company's first tri-folding phone, the Samsung Galaxy TriFold, was officially unveiled in early December, but for many, CES 2026 will offer a first chance to see the device up close.

Samsung is also rumored to be working on yet another foldable phone with a wider aspect ratio, as it (apparently) prepares to meet Apple's first foldable iPhone head on. We don't expect to see that one at CES 2026, but Samsung Display typically offers a glimpse into future devices by showing us the latest displays the company's been working on.

Wireless speakers and soundbars We don't know how it sounds yet, but it looks good. Credit: Samsung

Samsung is bringing new audio gear to CES 2026, including a couple of new Q-series soundbars. But we're particularly interested in two new WiFi speakers called the Music Studio 5 and Music Studio 7. The latter is a 3.1.1. channel speaker system with left, front, right and top-firing speakers, which should create a "natural 3D immersion." It supports hi-res audio as well as Samsung's audio tech such as AI Dynamic Bass Control and Audio Lab Pattern Control.

The Music Studio 5 is a smaller version, with a four-inch woofer and dual tweeters. It also includes the AI Dynamic Bass Control and supports WiFi casting, streaming services, and Bluetooth connectivity.

But the coolest thing about these speakers is how they look. Available in black and white, Samsung says their "dot design" has been created by renowned designer Erwan Bouroullec.

AI everything

In Samsung's official words, the company will take the CES 2026 stage to "present its unified AI approach for its Device eXperience (DX) Division and articulate the company’s overall business direction." More importantly for us, Samsung said its AI vision is so ambitious that it built an "industry-leading, large-scale premium standalone exhibition space at The Wynn," where it can showcase its AI innovation with "no limitations."

While AI announcements can sometimes be hard to digest, the above sounds like Samsung's massive exhibition space at the Wynn will be newsworthy in itself. In a few days, we'll be there live to tell you what it's like.

Samsung also said it would unveil a new lineup of AI-connected home appliances, including the new Bespoke AI Laundry Combo (that's a smart washing machine), the Bespoke Samsung AirDresser (that's a smart clothes freshener), the Bespoke AI WindFree Pro Air Conditioner, and a cleaning bot called the Bespoke AI Jet Bot Steam.

Finally, the company partnered with Google to add Gemini smarts to some of its hone appliances, including the new Bespoke AI Refrigerator Family Hub and the Bespoke AI Wine Cellar. Yes, in the end everything in your house will be smart; time to get used to it.