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TV with football in split screen view arranged on gray, orange, and green backdrop

SAVE $40: Through Jan. 6, DirecTV's Signature Entertainment streaming package is only $49.99 for your first month (regularly $89.99/month). The package includes 90 channels plus Disney+ and Hulu (with ads), an extra savings of $19.99.

DirecTV logo
Credit: DirecTV

While the Sling TV day pass is a great hack for watching sports on ESPN, there's a major hole in coverage when it comes to the sports that are on broadcast channels like FOX and CBS — so, pretty much the entire NFL playoff schedule. In that case, the next hack up is DirecTV's rare holiday deal: Get your first month of DirecTV's Signature Entertainment Package with 90 channels for just $49.99 ($40 off its usual $89.99/month).

SEE ALSO: Best 65-inch+ TVs for watching in dark and bright rooms

The promo, which has been running since mid-December, is finally closing out on Jan. 6, so these are your last few days to lock down January NFL games without cable or committing to a live TV subscription.

Past the big broadcast networks that'll cover most of your football needs, other channels in the Entertainment streaming package include E!, FX, Disney Channel, Hallmark, Syfy, and Nickelodeon. With the included access to Hulu (as well as Disney+ and ESPN), you can catch the second season of A Thousand Blows when it drops on Jan. 9, see what all the Alien: Earth hype is about, or hate watch All's Fair.



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RAM on yellow background

It seems certain at this point that laptop and smartphone prices are going to go up even more in 2026.

Case in point: modular PC maker Framework just announced yet another price hike on DDR5 RAM components. Framework says that it's charging customers "as close as possible to the actual purchase prices we have with our suppliers," and that it will now be charging roughly $10 per gigabyte.

Why? Demand for memory hardware, as a result of the AI boom, has led to a global memory shortage, which has in turn forced companies like Framework to raise their prices. Earlier this month, we reported that Samsung had warned its manufacturing partners that it was doubling prices on DDRM RAM, and laptop makers like Lenovo, Dell, and HP have all warned of looming price increases in the new year.

The most recent price hike from Framework adds $10 per GB for the 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB options, with prices going up even higher for RAM modules 48GB and up. And, again, this is yet another price increase on top of previous "price adjustments."

The Verge provided some examples of Framework's new memory pricing, with 8GB of RAM increasing from $60 to $80. Consumers will now pay $160 for the 16GB option instead of the previous price of $120. And 32GB of RAM now costs $320, up from $240.

The price increase really becomes substantial when you get to the larger memory options. In June, for example, 48GB of RAM cost $240. Now? A whopping $620. 

And, as Framework itself says, it doesn't look like the memory shortage is getting better next year.

"All indications we’ve received from suppliers is that prices will continue to increase going into early 2026," the company wrote in a blog post on its website. "We have absorbed and continue to absorb some of the price increases to be able to offer this new pricing, but it is very likely we’ll need to adjust module prices again within the next month."

In fact, without a major disruption, the AI industry will continue to affect the global memory supply well into 2027. Unfortunately for laptop and smartphone shoppers, in many cases, these memory-related price increases follow inflation and tariff-related price hikes from earlier in 2025.

So, if you've been wondering when is the best time to buy a new laptop, you probably don't want to wait too long.



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A Neo QLED 8K television inside the Samsung Electronics Co. Innovation Museum

Samsung has a more sentimental vision for AI in your living room. In a Monday press release, the company announced plans to bring Google Photos to its Samsung AI TV lineup, transforming televisions into oversized digital frames that showcase your most meaningful memories.

The integration, currently slated to begin rolling out in 2026, is positioned as a first-of-its-kind experience. Samsung says its TVs will be the first to support Google Photos’ Memories feature on the big screen, offering curated photo stories organized by people, places, and moments. Instead of digging through your phone to relive a vacation or birthday, those highlights could soon greet you directly from your couch.

SEE ALSO: Samsung debuts smart home speaker that looks like a giant eye

Samsung is framing this partnership less as a utility and more as an emotional upgrade to the TV experience. In the release, Kevin Lee, executive vice president of Samsung’s Visual Display Business, described the goal as helping families "rediscover and relive cherished moments" together — language that leans heavily into nostalgia and togetherness rather than raw specs or performance.

Beyond Memories, Samsung and Google plan to roll out additional features later in 2026. These include AI-powered creation tools that can remix photos, apply stylized templates, or even transform still images into short videos, as well as personalized photo slideshows generated around themes like travel or hobbies.

All of this is designed to be integrated into Samsung’s broader Vision AI Companion system, allowing photos to appear contextually throughout the day rather than being confined to a single app.



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Laptop on desk

TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is on sale for $29.97 (reg. $229), giving you lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more on one computer.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows
Credit: Microsoft

Software subscriptions add up quickly, especially when you only need the basics. If Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are already part of your daily routine, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 is a practical alternative, offering a single payment with no additional fees for only $29.97 (reg. $229).

This edition includes the classic lineup, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, all installed locally on a single Windows PC. While it isn’t Microsoft’s latest version, Office 2019 brought real improvements over earlier releases, like enhanced inking tools across apps, new data analysis features in Excel, better presentation options in PowerPoint, and updated email management in Outlook. For most users, that’s more than enough for work, school, or home use.

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The main appeal is the low price. Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is currently $29.97, which is price dropped from $229 for lifetime access.

Office 2019 works with Windows 10 and 11 (not Windows 7 or 8) and runs well on older or secondary computers thanks to its modest system requirements. If you’re also in the market for a new device, it’s worth checking out guides to top productivity laptops and other Microsoft software for more ways to save.

After purchase, you’ll get instant access to your license key and download links. You’ll need to redeem your code within seven days. If that fits your setup, this is a straightforward way to pick up Microsoft Office for a one-time fee with no ongoing commitment.

Whether you want it for home use, freelance work, or a backup computer, get Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 while it’s still on sale today for $29.97 (reg. $229).

StackSocial prices subject to change.



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Tesla door handles

Retractable door handles, popularized by Tesla, are now found on many electric vehicles. However, if automakers want to do business in China, they will have to adjust their approach to handling door handles in the country.

As noted by the outlet Autoblog, under new draft rules released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, all vehicles in the country weighing under 3.5 tons must have interior and exterior handles with a mechanical emergency release.

SEE ALSO: Apple removes popular gay dating apps from China's App Store

This move will effectively ban all retractable EV door handles on new cars released in the country. The ban goes into effect on January 1, 2027.

Regulators didn't have to work too hard to make their case that electric-only retractable door handles are a safety issue. A recent Bloomberg analysis tied 15 auto deaths directly to Tesla's doors not opening. Although many EVs feature mechanical releases within the vehicle, there have been numerous cases where owners were unable to locate or operate them in the event of an accident.

China's ban will affect all EV companies, including BYD, which is based in the country. However,  no company will likely be more affected by the ban than Tesla. Every Tesla model features these retractable door handles, which means that if Elon Musk's EV company wants to continue operating in China, it has roughly one year to start producing cars with a different handle.

Tesla's woes regarding its door handles might not end with China either. US regulators are also investigating safety concerns related to Tesla's flush-mounted electronic door handles, following reports from owners who were unable to enter or exit their vehicles due to battery power loss. In fact, in some cases, first responders had to break the car windows in order to get to children who were trapped inside a Tesla vehicle. 



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Foldable iPhone

It is very likely that Apple will release a foldable iPhone in 2026.

Rumors have been circulating about the foldable iPhone for some time now. Bloomberg's Apple insider, Mark Gurman, has reported that Apple plans to release a foldable smartphone next year. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that the device is real, will be released next year, and Apple is already having trouble building enough of them to meet the expected demand.

And now, YouTuber Jon Prosser is sharing visuals and exact specs for the device in his most recently released video.

In a video posted to his FrontPageTech YouTube channel just days before Christmas, Prosser showcases 3-D renders of what he says the foldable iPhone will look like. In the video, Prosser focuses on one of the major issues for Apple that kept them from previously releasing a foldable iPhone: The crease down the middle of the foldable screen. 

According to Prosser, Apple has devised a solution to this issue by utilizing a "metal plate that disperses the pressure of bending the display" in conjunction with liquid metal in the smartphone's hinge.

Foldable iPhone
Credit: Jon Prosser / FrontPageTech

Prosser also shares that the foldable iPhone will have a 5.5-inch external display, and the foldable screen will measure 7.8 inches when opened. Basically, the foldable iPhone will open into a mini iPad.

When closed, the foldable iPhone will be 9mm thick, and when opened, its thickness will roughly be 4.5mm, which is even thinner than the iPhone Air. The device is equipped with a total of four cameras.

According to Prosser, the foldable iPhone is expected to be released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max next year.

Foldable iPhone
Credit: Jon Prosser / FrontPageTech

While people like Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have shared details about the foldable iPhone, Prosser's report is the most detailed yet. But is he to be believed, like the two former Apple leak veterans? As Gizmodo points out, Apple filed a lawsuit against Prosser earlier this year over his accurate leaks about iOS 26 and Liquid Glass. According to the lawsuit, a second person named in the lawsuit used an Apple employee's phone to send Prosser information about the iOS update, so his sourcing certainly seems to be legitimate.

With three separate and trustworthy Apple leakers now reporting on a foldable iPhone in 2026, it seems almost a sure thing, barring some significant change in direction from the company. 



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Wordle game on a smartphone

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you practice Buddhism.

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 December 28, 2025

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 December 28, 2025

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A head monk.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter B appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

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...

ABBOT

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 December 28, 2025

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.



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