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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.


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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A blog about Technology, new invention and ways of looking.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Mouse on desk

TL;DR: Stop juggling subpar free apps. A lifetime of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more is just $34.97 (reg. $219.99) for a limited time.


Anyone who’s been hopping between free writing apps, browser-based spreadsheets, and whatever presentation tool you can find in a pinch, here’s some good news: you can get the full Microsoft Office Professional 2021 suite for just $34.97. Not per month. Not per year. For life.

This deal gives you permanent access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and even the free version of Teams — all installed directly on your Windows machine so you can work offline, online, or anywhere in between. It’s the classic Microsoft experience, updated for how people actually work today.

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Office 2021 Professional includes the tools most professionals, students, creators, and home users rely on daily. Whether you’re handling client proposals, structuring budgets, cleaning up data, designing a pitch deck, or just keeping life organized, having the real Microsoft apps makes everything smoother and more dependable than the “close enough” alternatives.

The interface is familiar, fast, and customizable. You get intuitive navigation, improved performance, modern templates, and all the formatting power that free apps simply don’t offer. No cloud dependency. No renting your software. No sudden “upgrade now to continue” messages.

This license activates on one Windows PC and stays with that device forever. Pay once, use it indefinitely.

For anyone who’s tired of subscription fees or ready to stop patchworking their productivity stack, this $34.97 Microsoft 2021 Pro offer is an easy upgrade that fits almost any budget.

StackSocial prices subject to change.



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Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams attend the premiere of

Capitalizing on the massive success of the hit Canadian Crave/HBO Max series Heated Rivalry, audio erotica app Quinn has been teasing the show’s leads, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, as its newest star collaborators.

The rollout began on Friday with a series of cryptic teasers. The first featured hockey gear laid out in a recording studio, soundtracked by the instantly recognizable t.A.T.u. hit "All the Things She Said." A follow-up clip leaned further into the mystery, showing confused production staff questioning why the only food on set was tuna melts, followed by blurred shots, quick cuts, and what appeared to be cue cards — all but confirming the involvement of the Heated Rivalry stars.

Taken together, the clues strongly suggest Quinn is preparing to have Williams and Storrie record audio content drawn from Heated Rivalry, the Rachel Reid novel that inspired the series and the second book in her Game Changers hockey romance universe.

For those not in the know, Quinn is one of the biggest names in audio erotica, an app that allows listeners to experience immersive, self-insertion storytelling. In recent years, the app has elevated its profile by partnering with some of the internet’s most beloved crushes, including Andrew Scott and Jesse Williams, to lend their voices to original and adapted erotic stories.

And for those unfamiliar with Heated Rivalry: it’s a gay enemies-to-lovers story turned breakout TV hit, centered on the combustible relationship between Canadian hockey star Shane Hollander and his cocky Russian rival, Illya Rozanov. The show premiered on Crave in Canada before landing on HBO Max weeks later in the U.S. and Australia — and it promptly exploded in popularity. Beyond sharp writing and undeniable chemistry between the leads, the sex scenes are, frankly, very hot.

So, yes, it would make perfect sense for the two stars to lend their voices to the very book that has been taking the internet by storm.

There’s no official announcement from Quinn just yet, so fans will have to wait until Dec. 30 to find out who’s involved — and whether Williams and Storrie will, in fact, be reading from Heated Rivalry or diving into other erotica altogether.



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LG logo on smartphone screen

LG is set to show off the future of home robotics at CES 2026.

The Korean tech conglomerate stated in a press release that it will unveil its newest domestic helper bot at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early January. Named "CLOiD," the robot is "designed to perform a wide range of indoor household tasks, enhancing everyday convenience and improving quality of life by making home management more efficient and intuitive."

It will theoretically do so with the help of two articulated arms, each with five finger-like digits on the end that are said to help it perform delicate tasks. The arms themselves have seven degrees of freedom. There's a chip in its head that acts like a brain, complemented by a camera, a display, a speaker, and other sensors that it will use to navigate the environment and communicate with its owners. It's powered by LG AI and, according to the company, will refine its responses over time to become more personalized to the needs of whoever it interacts with on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, that's about all we've got on CLOiD right now. LG didn't share any real photos of the robot or disclose its cost or release date. Given that this is at CES, there's a real possibility that CLOiD is designed to come to mass market a very long time from now, or maybe even never. We'll all find out together in just a week or two.



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