Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.

I am one of those people who has too many ballpens even though I dont use them all. I also have a lot of unsharpened pencils which are more for display since I dont want to actually use them. My stationery addict logic is that if I use these pencils, they will not last forever and I will lose their decorative aspect eventually. But this concept for a reimagined pencil just might be a tool that I can actually use since it can last longer.Designer: Gabrilevich DesignThe Da Vinci Pencil brands itself as more than just a pencil as it can also serve as a bookmark when youre not using it for your original purpose. It is made through advanced 3D printing technology and adapts a minimalist design despite its multi purpose function. What makes it different from other pencils is that it can last longer, for years even, than the usual, traditional pencils that need to be sharpened and will eventually last for just a few weeks if used reguarly.The nib of the pencil is made from a high-performance metal alloy which can make it last from 7-10 years under normal conditions. It is made from PLA-CF (Polylactic Acid with Carbon Fiber) making it strong but lightweight. There is no need to sharpen or refill and lets you write smoothly on the page, similar to the traditional graphite that ordinary pencils use. It is also durable and lightweight and is thin enough that you can use it as a bookmark in your book or notebook without damaging the page. It is also ergonomically shaped so you can grip it naturally while writing.The minimalist but stylish look of the Da Vinci Pencil makes it premium-looking but the 3D printed aspect will probably not make it that expensive when it will eventually be produced. It is a more eco-friendly alternative to regular and mechanical pencils since it can last longer and doesnt need any other tools or materials for you to continue using it. The post Da Vinci Pencil concept is an eco-friendly and minimalist writing tool and bookmark first appeared on Yanko Design.

Shinku La is a mountain pass in the Himalayas of northern India. The pass is traversed by the DarchaPadum road, connecting the high-altitude region of Zanskar in Ladakh with the rest of India. The pass becomes snowbound in the winter, leading to the closure of the road. The construction of a tunnel under the pass, to ensure all-weather connectivity, began in 2024. This photograph shows Shinku La covered in snow, with a frozen lake in the foreground.Photograph credit: Timothy GonsalvesRecently featured: The Monarch of the GlenChartres CathedralGarlicArchiveMore featured pictures

January 26: Australia Day (1788); Republic Day in India (1950)Painting of Ali's assassination661 Ali, the fourth Rashidun caliph, was assassinated (depicted) by Ibn Muljim, leading to the end of the caliphate.1788 Captain Arthur Phillip and the British First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove on the shore of Port Jackson, establishing the first permanent European settlement in Australia.1885 Mahdist War: The siege of Khartoum ended as Mahdist forces defeated the Egyptian garrison and captured the city.1934 Hurtig & Seamon's New Burlesque Theater in New York City reopened as the Apollo Theater, becoming one of the nation's premier venues for African-American performers.2015 A jet fighter crashed at Los Llanos Air Base in Albacete, Spain, killing 11 people and injuring 21 others.Lady Zhen (b.183)Manuel do Cenculo (d.1814)Joan Leslie (b.1925)Kobe Bryant (d.2020)More anniversaries: January 25January 26January 27ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout

Oracle and a group of investors that includes Microsoft are in talks to take over TikToks global operations, reports NPR. The deal, which the White House is reportedly negotiating, would see ByteDance keeping a minority stake in TikTok while the apps algorithm, data collection and software updates will be overseen by Oracle.Oracles server network already provides the bulk of TikToks backbone, and under the deal, the company would effectively monitor and provide oversight with what is going on with TikTok, according to one of NPRs anonymous sources, who added that the agreements goal is to minimize Chinese ownership. Microsofts reported involvement isnt clear beyond that it is engaged in the talks. The company was also in the mix with Oracle and Walmart in a 2020 bid to take over TikTok that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had called a poison[ed] chalice. Walmart reportedly isnt involved this time around after balking at the estimated price of the app.News of the talks comes after President Trump issued an executive order giving TikTok and others a 75-day reprieve from any enforcement action related to the United States requirement that ByteDance divest from TikTok. Trump had previously floated the possibility of a joint venture in which the US owns 50 percent of the company. Weve reached out to Oracle, Microsoft, TikTok, and the White House for comment.

Fubo has raised its English-language streaming plan prices by $5 each, with a Fubo spokesperson citing rising costs from our programming partners, reported The Streamable yesterday. Fubos Essential and Pro plans now start at $85 a month, while its Elite plan has gone up to $95 monthly. We only make adjustments when necessary, a Fubo spokesperson said to The Streamable, and were committed to keeping Fubo competitive while ensuring our subscribers have access to the channels, features and live events they enjoy. Fubo debuted its Essential plan at $80 per month in December, as The Streamable notes. While priced the same as the Pro plan and offering largely the same features, it doesnt include regional sports networks or the extra up-to-$16 monthly fee that comes with them. With the rate hike, Fubo is once again more expensive than YouTube TV, which raised its subscription fee by $10 the same month. Its also pricier than Disneys Hulu + Live TV, which Fubo is planning to merge with.

At CES 2025, Belkin began shipping its new SoundForm Isolate headphones. Theyre the first wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that Belkin has developed, and they come in at just $60 making them incredibly affordable over-ear headphones.Hardware impressionsDespite the low price tag, Belkin built the SoundForm Isolates fairly well. They dont feel cheap. Obviously, theyre made out of plastic, but so are any pair of over-ear headphones that arent AirPods Max. The ear cushions feel nice, and I dont feel like Id break the headphones. The SoundForm Isolates also fold inwards, allowing you to easily toss them into a backpack or whatnot. You can also rotate the earcups to your liking, helping you achieve a more comfortable fit.In the box, you get a USB-C charging cable as well as a 3.5mm aux cable, though there isnt an included case. Thats understandable for the price tag, but worth mentioning. The included aux cable is a huge plus though, giving users a ton of connectivity options, other than just bluetooth.Software featuresOn the left ear-cup, theres a button thatll toggle between three modes: hear-through on, noise cancelling off, and noise cancelling on. The names could be a little bit better, but essentially, think of these as transparency mode, off mode, and noise cancelling mode. Despite being three distinct modes, theyre actually not too different from one another. Noise cancellation certainly does reduce some background noise (especially when walking outside), but over-ear headphones also offer a lot of passive noise cancellation from simply covering your ears. The noise cancellation does its job, but dont expect to have your mind blown. It doesnt do a particularly good job with voices for example, but theyre also only $60.Hear-through mode also does what it says on the tin, and helps pass through some external audio while youre wearing the headphones. Nothing exceptional, but it does what it says fairly well.However, there is one unique feature that these offer: isolate mode. By pressing both volume up and volume down together (on the right ear-cup), you can enter isolate mode, which plays ocean sounds while you wear the headphones. Im not sure that this personally helps me focus, but I could certainly see some people being a fan of it. Some people find it easier to fall asleep while listening to ocean noises, so theres definitely a purpose there.AudioBelkins SoundForm Isolates sound fine. I didnt expect much for $60, and they certainly didnt fail to deliver in any area. Im no audio nerd, so I wont get super in depth here, but dont go into it with the expectation of having amazing audio. They do offer a fair bit of bass, which some people are into.They can also get fairly loud, though not to the point of potentially causing hearing loss. You can also go down to the lowest volume notch and theyll still be audible, which you cant say about every pair of headphones, so thats a plus.Also, the microphones are pretty good for a quick phone call.9to5Macs TakeWhile these headphones offer nothing spectacular, theyre definitely not bad. Id say they make a lot of sense to purchase if you want to give them to a younger kid who you wouldnt want to trust with something too pricey. Theyre definitely a good pair of wireless headphones, and its impressive that Belkin was able to deliver such a product at only $60. While not for everyone, the SoundForm Isolates are certainly adequate for those on a tight budget and want over-ear wireless headphones.You can purchase Belkin SoundForm Isolate on Amazon for $59.99, if youre interested. They come in two colors: black and sand, and offer 60 hours of battery life.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

According to a tweet from Bloombergs Mark Gurman, Apple will be performing some merchandise/floor marketing updates at its retail stores next week. While specific details arent confirmed, Apple is likely launching the new Black Unity Apple Watch band for 2025.In the past, Apple has announced these new bands around mid-late January, and put them on sale around a week later. Apple hasnt yet announced the new Black Unity Apple Watch band this year, and thats the most likely announcement. MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris recently discovered references to the unreleased watch band within tvOS 18.3 code, suggesting that the launch is right around the corner.Apple began launching Black Unity Apple Watch bands in 2021, and its remained an annual tradition since then. The bands tend to feature a red, green, and black color way. In recent history, theyve also been accompanied by a new watch face.Given the fact that Apple released the release candidate of iOS 18.3 last week, its a fairly safe guess that the limited-time watch band is around the corner.Apple is also rumored to announce the new MacBook Air with M4 chip before the spring, but I wouldnt count on that being next weeks announcement.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Our Experts Written by David Carnoy Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement How we test Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Kobo e-books and audiobooks. Expertise Headphones, Bluetooth speakers, mobile accessories, Apple, Sony, Bose, e-readers, Amazon, glasses, ski gear, iPhone cases, gaming accessories, sports tech, portable audio, interviews, audiophile gear, PC speakers Credentials Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer See full bio What to consider Budget Value can reflect quality. Consider your needs and what your budget allows. Fit (Comfort) Ensuring the headphones you choose fit your head help minimize any discomfort from extended wear. Durability Sturdy quality help ensure your headphones hold up well over time. Table of Contents vs Compare Back to selection Whether you need to focus on something important in an uncooperative space or you just want to zone into your favorite book or music, the best noise-canceling headphones can be a huge help. The number of options for noise-canceling headphones is gigantic, and I've tested these types of headphones for 15 years. During this time, I've made a list of the best models across a range of prices. Most of these are over-ear headphones, but there are true wireless earbuds, a great pair on a budget, and more options as well. We've done the research and we've got a handy rundown for you. Our Picks Best Bose noise-canceling headphones Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones View details $429 at Bose View details Best noise-canceling headphones from Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 View details $398 at Amazon View details Top new noise-canceling headphones Sonos Ace View details $449 at Sonos, Inc. View details Top budget noise-canceling headphones QCY H3 Pro View details $66 at Amazon View details Best for noise-canceling Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds View details $299 at Bose View details Best Sony earbuds Sony WF-1000XM5 View details $298 at Amazon View details Best Apple noise-canceling wireless earbuds Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) View details $199 at Amazon View details Top midrange noise-canceling headphones Sony CH-720N View details $150 at Amazon View details

Huluis packed with fascinating horror films. Before we get into a list of the absolute best options on the streaming service, let's cover some worthy alternates.Hulu is home to David Cronenberg's Crimes of the Future (2022) and Fede lvarez's Alien: Romulus (2024). There's also black comedy slasher American Psycho (2000), twisty thriller Barbarian (2022) and romance-gone-wrong Fresh (2022). Finally, you should check out Cuckoo (2024), Smile (2022) and Immaculate (2024), starring Sydney Sweeney.Now, onto a roundup of the best horror movies on the streamer. All these films scored higher than 70 on Metacritic. Hulu Prey (2022) If you count incredibly capable,invisible killing machines as scary, you may be watching some of the scenes in Prey through your fingers. This addition to the Predator franchise takes place in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago and centers on a young warrior named Naru. Watch this one for a compelling underdog story about a human determinedly fighting against a powerful alien. See at Hulu 20th Century Studios The First Omen (2024) This flick stars a captivating Nell Tiger Free (Myrcella Baratheon in Game of Thrones) as an American woman working in Rome who uncovers a scheme to birth the Antichrist. It's a prequel to 1976's The Omen. See at Hulu Piggy (2022) A teenage girl is viciously bullied at a local pool and then happens upon a stranger abducting her three tormentors. This gripping, Spanish-language movie is based on a short film and stars Laura Galn. See at Hulu Umbrella Entertainment Late Night with the Devil (2023) A possessed girl is a special guest on a 1977 talk show in this horror flick that gradually gets more intense. The film stars David Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy, a charismatic host who wants to boost his ratings. If you're craving supernatural horror, stay seated forthis terrifying Halloween special. See at Hulu Neon Infinity Pool (2023) Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgrd star in this disturbing film directed by Brandon Cronenberg (son of horror filmmaker David) about a vacationing couple that ventures outside their island resort and accidentally commits a crime. You won't be able to take your eyes off scream queen Goth, and Succession fans will enjoy more of the talented Skarsgrd. See at Hulu IFC Films Hatching (2022) This Finnish creature movie is plucked straight from your feathery nightmares. The flick introduces Tinja, a 12-year-old girl who discovers a strange egg that hatches into a monstrous bird. The horrendous creature contrasts greatly with her family's expectations of perfection. So it's kind of like a cursed version of E.T. Well, maybe not. You can watch and come to your own conclusions. See at Hulu You Are Not My Mother (2021) You Are Not My Mother introduces Char, a bright teenage girl who's living with her grandmother and mentally ill mother, Angela. Angela disappears, and when she returns, she acts eerily different. It's a creepy, slow-burn mystery you'll want to stick with, anchored by a strong central character. See at Hulu More horrific recommendations