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Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Intense
Green: Plays for Atlanta
Blue: Women of tennis
Purple: In a line
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Lively
Green: An Atlanta Athlete, Past or Present
Blue: Names of Women's Tennis Players
Purple: Can Be Preceded by "Line"
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 #259 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayLively - ANIMATED, ENERGETIC, EXCITED, SPIRITED
An Atlanta Athlete, Past or Present - BRAVE, FALCON, HAWK, THRASHER
Names of Women's Tennis Players- COCO, IGA, MADISON, MIRRA
Can Be Preceded by "Line"- BACKER, MAN, SCORE, UP
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.
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.
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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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's The Mini crossword answers for June 9 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Found on a computer
Green: To ask for
Blue: Illegal groups
Purple: Hierarchy in a word competition
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Keyboard shortcut commands
Green: Secure in advance
Blue: Crime organizations
Purple: Spelling bee ranks minus a letter
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 #729 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayKeyboard shortcut commands: PASTE, PRINT, QUIT, SAVE
Secure in advance: BOOK, ORDER, REQUEST, RESERVE
Crime organizations: CREW, FAMILY, RING, SYNDICATE
Spelling bee ranks minus a letter: GENUS, GOO, MAZING, SLID
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 June 9Are 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.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands 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 MashableBy 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 preferrined pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 9 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 9 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: What you see isn't what you getThe words are incognito-related.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are ways to cover up one's appearance.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is False Front
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 9Mask
Camouflage
Facade
False Front
Cloak
Disguise
Cover
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.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
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 today: Hints and answers for June 9 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's The Mini crossword answers for June 9, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A plank.
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 B.
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...
BOARD.
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 June 9Reporting 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.
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 hintOrdinary.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerBASIC
Hurdle Word 2 hintAn orchard.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerGROVE
Hurdle Word 3 hintFrequently.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 8, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerOFTEN
Hurdle Word 4 hintTells time.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 8 Hurdle Word 4 answerCLOCK
Final Hurdle hintSarcastically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerDRYLY
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
This year’s Xbox Games Showcase pulled back the curtain on Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, marking an unusual return for the subseries, which traditionally doesn’t revisit the same narrative arcs so directly (think Modern Warfare in 2007, followed by World at War in 2008).
SEE ALSO: All the biggest reveals from IGN Live 2025, so farSet in 2035, Black Ops 7 is a direct sequel to 2012’s Black Ops II, bringing back familiar faces like David Mason and Raul Menendez. The trailer leans hard into future-tech paranoia, exploring that classic sci-fi question: When does advanced technology stop being science and start looking like magic? In this case, the answer involves a terrorist wielding such next-gen tech that he basically turns into a cyberpunk Scarecrow.
No official release date yet, however, a full reveal will drop this summer.
IGN’s two-day mega event was pure nerdy chaos in the best way possible. Following up on Summer Games Fest, IGN Live served up a packed slate of exclusives and fan-favorite reveals.
From a first-look clip at Marvel’s Ironheart to a brand-new trailer for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, and a celebration marking 10 years of Critical Role, the event delivered something for every corner of the fandom multiverse.
First clip of IronheartThe first exclusive clip from Ironheart kicks off with a classic clash of egos, as brilliant teen inventor Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) is reluctantly roped into teaming up with Parker Robbins, a.k.a. The Hood (Anthony Ramos), who offers her a way to build her soon-to-be iconic suit.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 TrailerIGN Live dropped an exclusive first look at Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, teasing the crew’s high-stakes return following their showdown with the Gorn.
According to the official synopsis, the new season promises fresh alien encounters, a formidable new villain, and a genre-blending mix of faith, duty, romance, comedy, and mystery
Nyaight of the Living Cat Anime Exclusive ClipCan you resist the urge to pet a cat? That’s the twistedly cute dilemma at the heart of Nyaight of the Living Cat, an upcoming Crunchyroll anime where a mysterious virus turns anyone who rubs up against a feline into one themselves.
IGN Live premiered an exclusive two-minute clip from the series, showcasing three survivors desperately fleeing a fluffy swarm of dangerously adorable cats, with some unexpectedly “deadly” consequences.
It's ridiculous, it's charming, and it’s probably going to haunt every cat lover’s dreams.
Critical Role 10th anniversaryCritical Role marked its 10-year milestone at IGN Live with a warm, often hilarious panel moderated by Amelia Emberwing featuring much of the beloved cast, including Matthew Mercer, Laura Bailey, Travis Willingham, and more.
The real bombshell, though, was the glimpse into the future. Fans got a sneak peek at Mighty Nein, Critical Role’s next animated series, which promises a very different energy from The Legend of Vox Machina—think strangers trying to vibe, with mixed results. On top of that, they teased upcoming video game projects with the first one dropping later this year.
Revival exclusive clipIn SyFy's upcoming original series, Revival, the dearly departed of a quiet Wyoming town rise again. However, they aren’t bloodthirsty zombies; they just want to pick up where they left off. Of course, things don’t go quite that smoothly.
Wynonna Earp’s Melanie Scrofano stars as a local cop and mom caught in the middle of the eerie resurgence, trying to keep the peace as the town descends into supernatural chaos. Oh, and WWE’s own CM Punk shows up, because why not?
If you're into campy murder mysteries with a spooky twist, or still mourning the end of iZombie, this one should be firmly on your radar.
Clair Obscure Expedition 33 documentary first lookIt’s easy to see why Expedition 33 has taken the gaming world by storm in the short time since its release. Sandfall Interactive’s stylish, turn-based RPG — equal parts French elegance and Japanese inspiration — has quickly become one of our favorite titles of the year, and for good reason.
To thank the fans who helped turn Expedition 33 into a breakout hit, Sandfall gave us a sneak peek at the first 10 minutes of its upcoming behind-the-scenes documentary
Disclosure: IGN Entertainment is a subsidiary of ZiffDavis Inc., which is the parent company of Mashable.
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Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Rivalry
Green: NFL field generals
Blue: Journey of NBA superstar
Purple: Teams in Missouri
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Competition
Green: Names of NFL QBs
Blue: Teams of Tyrese Haliburton Has Played For
Purple: Kansas City____
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 #258 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayCompetition - BOUT, CONTEST, EVENT, MATCH
Names of NFL QBs - BAKER, BO, DAK, TUA
Teams of Tyrese Haliburton Has Played For - IOWA STATE, KINGS, PACERS, USA
Kansas City____ - CHEIFS, CURRENT, MONARCHS, ROYALS
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.
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.
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 MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, June 8, 2025:
AcrossOrg. with shooting starsThe answer is NBA.
The answer is Barns.
The answer is Omega
The answer is Beard.
The answer is Sky.
The answer is Names.
The answer is Break.
The answer is Angry.
The answer is Bob.
The answer is Sad.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre 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.
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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $54.97The best self-emptying robot vacuums have one huge perk past the obvious act of vacuuming the floor for you. (Spoiler alert: It's in the name.)
When you outsource vacuuming to a robotic cleaner, your floors get cleaned way more often, right? There's just one little downside to that extra attention: More debris pulled off the floor means a dust bin that fills up faster, especially if you have pets. You could either empty that dust bin manually multiple times a week, or you could just get a robot vacuum that empties itself.
SEE ALSO: Roborock Saros Z70 review: If you think you need the robot vacuum with an arm, no you don'tThese vacuum cleaners do the vacuuming and bin emptying for you, storing the debris collected on each trip in a larger compartment that's located in the charging dock. While you'd typically have to empty a standalone robot vacuum as often as every day or two, self-emptying robot vacuum cleaners are self-sufficient for several weeks. Most brands claim to have capacities averaging between six to eight weeks, but almost every self-emptying dock I've tested in my three-bed, three-bath apartment has stretched much longer than that.
The feature is so core to the hands-off cleaning experience nowadays that it's rare for any new robot vacuum release to arrive to market without a self-emptying dock. (Unless you're the Dyson robot vacuum, in which case you're not a robot vacuum that mops nor self-empties — but you still cost over $1,000.)
I've been testing the latest and greatest self-emptying robot vacuums from 2025 against the top vacs from years prior. Halfway through 2025, these top five picks offered the most efficient automated cleaning experience in my home.
Are self-emptying robot vacuums worth it?A robot vacuum that can empty its own dust bin is for sure worth it in just about every home. If vacuuming every day is something you don't feel like doing manually, you probably also don't feel like manually dumping a vac's dustbin into the trash every day. Such is the natural pipeline of being spoiled with technology.
Automatic emptying is particularly valuable in homes with pets. Daily pet hair pickup could easily fill up a vacuum's tiny onboard dustbin after just a few rooms, but that capacity is significantly expanded when there's a large alternate dustbin on the dock. If they get full mid-cleaning session, self-emptying vacuums know to head back to the dock to unload, then finish the rest of the session with a clean slate.
SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Roomba: Comparing top-rated robot vacuum lineupsNot for nothing, even the most ergonomic upright vacuums are a pain to wrestle out of the closet sometimes. In a pinch, it's inarguably worthwhile to have the option to start sweeping with a click on an app.
For people with allergies, auto-emptying also spares you from inhaling the inevitable puff of dust that emerges when dumping a dustbin into the trash. Speaking of avoiding the grosser parts of the job, if you're specifically seeking a robot vacuum that mops, many self-emptying docks also take it upon themselves to wash and dry the dirty mopping pads after the job is done.
Testing updatesI'm currently testing the Roomba 105, Eufy L60, and 3i G10+. If any of these contenders impress me, I'll update this guide accordingly.
There's definitely something to be said for the crisp handheld control of a powerful cordless Dyson. But if you're not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, why not outsource that tedious task? The best robot vacuums patrol your home to clear away dust, crumbs, pet hair, and sometimes even spills or stains on hard floors — no elbow grease required.
And after testing 20+ robot vacuums on my own personal floors (my apartment is very clean), I can confidently call out the top robotic vacuum cleaners that'll make your life easier.
Are Roombas the best robot vacuums?Though some Roombas are really good robot vacuums, they're far from the only good robot vacuums.
iRobot dominated the robot vacuum realm from the early 2000s up until a few years ago, so it's no surprise that much of the general public forgets that "Roomba" isn't simply a generic term for any robotic vacuum.
But Roombas just aren't in a league of their own anymore. I mean, you can't even Google "Roomba" without a question comparing Roombas to Shark robot vacuums popping up. I'm also here to put some respect on names like Roborock and Eufy — they're continuously releasing new contenders that are often a better value than Roombas in the same price range.
SEE ALSO: Roborock Saros 10 vs. 10R: I narrowly crowned a winner after head-to-head testing at homeI'm regularly testing the top robot vacuums at multiple price points and comparing them to top performers from previous years, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. As I test each robot vacuum, I keep notes on their overall suction power, scrubbing efficacy (if it's a robot vacuum that mops), pet hair pickup, self-emptying docks and self-washing mopping pads, smart mapping and navigation, obstacle avoidance, and the overall user experience. All of that is considered through the lens of cost efficiency. I'll be the first one to point out when a budget vacuum cleaner is solid for the price, or when a premium robot vacuum is actually worth the splurge — or not worth the splurge, in the case of Roborock's $2,599.99 robot vacuum with an arm.
After all that testing, I've narrowed down your shopping list to six options. Here are the best robot vacuums for every home and budget so far in 2025.
Other robot vacuums I've tested recentlyI tested several other top robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra were my top recommendations at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck.
I've also tested some 2025 robot vacuum releases that were OK, but ultimately aren't a top pick for me. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). The Roborock Saros 10 and 10R were able to hoist over the few thick doorway thresholds in my apartment just as well as the X50 Ultra. Its mopping and vacuuming capabilities are better than most mid-range robot vacuums, of course, but they weren't impressive enough for me to suggest the X50 Ultra in this list over either Saros 10 model.
I'm also in the process of getting my hands on the new Roombas for 2025 and am currently working with the Roomba 105. The first model I tested was the Roomba Combo 205 DustCompactor, which wouldn't be a bad pick if you absolutely can't spare floor space for a self-empty dock. But it was too much of a bumbling navigator to beat out other vacuums in its price range. I'll see how it compares to my experience with the 3i G10+: another newly-released robot vacuum with debris compression instead of a self-empty dock.
April 2025 came and went without new Halloween decorations from the Home Depot. For fans of the home improvement retailer's iconic 12-foot skeleton and other seasonal yard props, the hiatus wasn't just disappointing — it was cause for concern. Did the specter of tariffs spook the Home Depot?
I know what you're probably thinking: Come on, we're still months away from Halloween. But a late April launch of its 2025 Halloween collection would've been right on schedule for the Home Depot, which has hosted a "Halfway to Halloween" event a few weeks after Easter since 2022. The drop typically features "Skelly" and several new props made available online in limited quantities, functioning as a teaser to the retailer's full Halloween kickoff later in the summer.
Skelly and other Home Depot Halloween decor have garnered a dedicated fanbase since the 12-footer debuted in 2020, making this Halfway to Halloween event an incredibly popular affair. Last year's drop went live around 6:30 a.m. ET, and some products sold out within an hour. So when the retailer didn't host its usual sale this spring, people noticed.
SEE ALSO: Live, laugh, LifeEyes™️: How the 12-foot Home Depot skeleton became a perennial hit"For me personally, if I spend the money in April, it doesn't count as Halloween," said Jennifer Penelope Corcoran, of Nashville, Tenn.
Corcoran is the founder and co-admin of the Facebook group 12 Ft Skeleton Halloween Club, the heart of Skelly's enduring online fandom. The group has grown to more than 64,000 members and spawned several popular spin-off communities since Corcoran started it in September 2020, right after Skelly first hit the market. The Home Depot Halloween Haunters Club is the largest such group that Corcoran runs, with over 170,000 members to date.
Members of Corcoran's groups keep each other abreast of annual restocks with "Code Orange" alerts and eagerly await the Halfway to Halloween events. "They've done them the past couple years, and it got delayed, which obviously people have been disappointed about," said Corcoran.
Why the delay? Perhaps the only thing scarier than a giant skeleton is a giant tariff bill. While much of the discussion surrounding President Donald Trump's tariffs has focused on electronics like iPhones, manufacturers of plastic products — including, say, a lawn ornament made of oversized bones — have faced some significant pricing challenges in 2025, according to The Atlantic. And while the Home Depot wouldn't confirm that tariffs directly impacted Skelly's spring launch, a Mashable investigation reveals tariffs have had a ripple effect on the Halloween industry.
The case of the missing Halloween saleMashable can confirm that the Home Depot was planning a 2025 Halfway to Halloween event this spring. A press release sent to a reporter on March 21 signaled an on-time launch "in late April" for Skelly and friends. The information was not subject to an embargo.
"The Home Depot is gearing up for its highly anticipated Halfway to Halloween sale, giving fans exclusive early access to select pieces from the 2025 lineup — months before the full reveal. Perfect for those getting ready to celebrate Summerween!" the release read. "This spring, Halloween enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike can get a head start on the season with select products available on HomeDepot.com, all part of the upcoming Halfway to Halloween celebration in late April (date coming soon!)."
The Home Depot's 2024 Halfway to Halloween sale featured Skelly, its new seven-foot "Dawg," and several other giants. Credit: The Home DepotThe release referred to the Halfway to Halloween drop as a "tradition" the Home Depot was "excited to continue," a descriptor the retailer has since abandoned. In a June 4 interview with Mashable, Tyler Pelfrey, manager of brand communications at the Home Depot, said the event was meant to serve as a "surprise and delight moment" for its Halloween superfans and that "it's not necessarily a core part of our strategy."
"It's not really something that we held onto and made a decision about until we really looked at the landscape and said, let's try and focus a little bit more on our core audience," said Pelfrey. "And, you know, things are a little different this year. We looked at [it] from our competitive lens as well and said, let's focus on the coming months and later in the year, whenever we decide to launch for the more general Halloween consumer, because that's really where the majority of the excitement for the program really kicks in."
Pelfrey couldn't share exactly when that launch would happen — it's usually in mid-July — but he encouraged fans to follow the Home Depot on social media to stay up to date on its future announcements.
'There'll be some things that ... just end up going away'While most Home Depot products are sourced in North America, Skelly and other Halloween decorations are made in China by a California company called Seasonal Visions International (SVI). Imported Chinese goods have been subject to fluctuating tariffs from the Trump administration since early this year. In April, they soared to a high of 145 percent and remained at that rate for four-and-a-half weeks. At the time of publication, the U.S. tariff rate on Chinese imports sat at 30 percent.
In addition to making props and animatronics for retailers like the Home Depot, SVI sells replacement parts on its own website. On June 3, the company emailed previous customers regarding "some upcoming changes" to its business this summer, citing the fallout from "increased tariffs." Mashable obtained a copy of the email and reached out to SVI for comment.
"Due to the increased tariffs and their impact on the global supply chain, we will be making adjustments to our parts availability, pricing, and support policy on July 1," SVI wrote in the email. More details will be shared on the company's website "soon," it added.
SEE ALSO: Target and Walmart tariff price hikes leak online from an unlikely sourceWhen asked about SVI's email and tariffs' role in the Home Depot's decision to cancel its Halfway to Halloween drop, Pelfrey acknowledged the state of the market but said the retailer didn't make its call for a singular reason.
"Tariffs are definitely something that the company has a good team rallying around, and our merchants and our relationships with suppliers are so good that they're always trying to look for the best way to keep value at the forefront for customers. And that's one of the things, I think, that stays true for Halloween as well," said Pelfrey.
He added: "We looked at a lot of different competitive lenses and that's kind of really where we made our [Halfway to Halloween] decision. I wouldn't say one sole factor made our mind up on that."
The Home Depot has sold Skelly for $299 since 2020. Credit: The Home DepotTariffs have certainly been top of mind for Home Depot leadership. On April 21, CNBC reported that CEO Ted Decker joined Target and Walmart's CEOs in a meeting with Trump to discuss tariffs' impact on their businesses. "We had an informative and constructive meeting with the President and look forward to continuing the dialogue," the Home Depot reportedly said in a statement.
A month later, the Home Depot would swear off sweeping price hikes because of tariffs — a rare move among major retailers. "We don't see broad-based price increases for our customers at all going forward," said executive vice president of merchandising Billy Bastek, speaking on a May 20 investor call about the company's Q1 earnings report, per NPR. However, the company isn't ruling out changes to individual product pricing and availability down the road.
"There's items that we have that could potentially be impacted from a tariff that, candidly, we won't have going forward," said Bastek. "There'll be some things that don't make sense that just end up going away."
Pelfrey did confirm that Skelly will return at some point in 2025, referring to the 12-footer as "the rockstar out of all of our Halloween decor." But when Mashable asked him in a follow-up email whether it will still be sold for $299, its sticker price since 2020, he couldn't say. "We don't share pricing of products before the official launch," Pelfrey wrote.
Tariffs come for the Halloween industryHalloween has become a big business over the last decade, but especially in the last five years. According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) latest Halloween Spending Survey, U.S. consumers were expected to drop $11.6 billion on Halloween items in 2024, up from $8.8 billion in 2019 and $7.4 billion in 2014. (Last year's figure wasn't finalized at the time of publication, but would be a slight drop from 2023's record-setting $12.2 billion.)
This surge in Halloween spending has correlated with a rise in early shopping. Forty-seven percent of respondents in the NRF's survey said they bought Halloween items before October in 2024, compared to 37 percent in 2019 and 32 percent in 2014.
Yet 2025 could alter these trends as consumers' sourcing options dwindle. All Joann Fabrics stores and most Party City locations closed in recent months after both retailers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy around the new year. At Home, a Texas-based home decor chain that sells Halloween items, could soon do the same after missing a mid-May interest payment and entering a forbearance deal with its lenders, Bloomberg reported.
Among surviving retailers, the Home Depot wouldn't be the only store to shelve a spring Halloween drop because of economic turmoil. On May 1, HalloweenCostumes.com announced on Instagram that it was delaying the usual May launch of its decor and animatronics "due to rising tariffs." The company declined an interview request.
View this post on Instagram"For now, everything is postponed," said HalloweenCostumes.com Tom Fallenstein in the accompanying reel. "We know that's very disappointing, but with the tariffs, we are trying to figure out what products we're bringing in, what costs might look like, and ultimately how do we get the product here and have the best experience for our customers."
On May 22, Spirit Halloween credited "international disruptions and supply chain challenges" as the factors that led it to cancel this year's grand opening event at its flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., according to a statement on its Instagram page. The retailer said its 1,500 stores are still slated to begin opening in mid-August, and that it plans to revive the Egg Harbor Township event in 2026. A representative for Spirit didn't respond to a request for comment.
RedditHome Depot rival Lowe's ran its own limited Halloween sale in late April, but it may not have been totally immune from current market conditions. A Reddit user pointed out that a 12-foot Bone Collector animatronic was listed for $599 on the Lowe's website this spring. It debuted last year at $399, according to the parenting website GeekDad, footage of its in-store display, and Halloween YouTubers' unboxing videos.
On April 22, a user named "MadPotentialCustomer" complained about the Bone Collector's $200 price increase in the Community Q&A section of its product page. An account that appears to be run by Tekky Design, its manufacturer, responded two days later. "Tekky has no control over retails," it wrote. "Please reach out to Lowe's directly regarding any issues with pricing." Mashable reached out to Tekky and Lowes for comment, and we'll update this article if we hear back.
This screenshot was taken on the product listing page for Lowe's 12-foot Bone Collector on June 3, 2025. Credit: Lowe'sLowe's had the Bone Collector in stock for $499 the last time Mashable checked.
The Skelly fandom stands by their manMembers of Skelly's Facebook fandom who were hoping for a Halfway to Halloween drop haven't shied away from tariff discussions, for better or worse. Corcoran had to make a dedicated tariff thread in Home Depot Halloween Haunters Club because its members kept submitting posts about the topic. She and her co-admins took turns monitoring it closely so it didn't spiral into political arguments, she told Mashable.
Corcoran has a professional sales background that includes shipping and logistics, and she recognizes that the Home Depot is in a tough position when it comes to balancing tariffs with consumer expectations, as most retailers are right now. "They're not a nonprofit," she said. But Corcoran thinks Halloween enthusiasts remain loyal to the Home Depot because its decor prices have always been reasonable and consistent, pointing to the fact that Skelly's $299 MSRP has stuck despite insatiably high demand and several upgrades. (The Home Depot gave Skelly a plug-in power adapter and new eye features in 2021 and 2024, respectively.)
"That 12-foot skeleton does not ship in a shoebox, and with the prices of plastics, components, everything like that ... it's one of the only things I can think of, between 2020 and 2024, that did not go up in price," Corcoran said.
Corcoran stays in close touch with the Home Depot's team and expects them to provide a heads-up once the 2025 Halloween drop is set in stone, she said. In the meantime, members of her groups are temporarily distracted by the recent arrival of a new 170-gallon Husky tote, the long-awaited answer to many 12-foot skeleton owners' storage woes. (Right on its label: "Fits 12ft Skelly.") Some have jokingly floated the idea of decorating the totes if new animatronics don't arrive soon.
For her part, Corcoran has her eye on a new 6.5-foot, app-controlled "Ultra Skelly" that popped up in March at the Home Depot's Store Managers Meeting, an annual employee convention that features an upcoming product showcase. Corcoran didn't buy any Halloween items from the Home Depot last year because she had vet bills to pay, and she's excited to make up for it when the time comes.
"I'm telling everybody to stay calm," said Corcoran. "Meanwhile, I'm texting my friends, 'If I don't get that app skeleton, the world will feel my wrath.'"
ChatGPT has completely changed the tech landscape in some massive and irreversible ways. ChatGPT was the first AI chatbot that really made an impact in wider society, and since then, it has evolved and improved a fair bit.
Did you know that there are lots of settings and features that you can leverage to get even more out of your ChatGPT experience? ChatGPT offers a range of features that help make it more personal and, as a result, more helpful in certain use cases. So, here are all the settings and features I recommend changing or customizing to get the most out of the service.
Data controls and privacyBefore trying to make ChatGPT more personal, it's worth taking a look at your data controls to ensure that they're set up in a way that you're comfortable with. Like most tech services and software services these days, OpenAI relies on user data to improve ChatGPT. If you're anything like me, then you don't really want OpenAI to be doing so and would prefer that your personal data remain as private as possible.
To tweak your data controls on the web, log in to ChatGPT, then tap on your profile picture in the top right-hand corner. Then click on “Settings” and choose the “Data Controls” option from the settings menu. From here, you can toggle the “Improve the model for everyone” option to off. Alternatively, if you don't mind OpenAI having access to your text chat data, you can individually toggle off audio and video recordings. Note that if you turn off model improvement as a whole, audio and video recordings are automatically off and cannot be enabled on their own.
Customize your ChatGPTWhile ChatGPT can learn about you as it goes, which we'll get into later, you can give it information about you that can help tailor its responses to you specifically, through the Customize ChatGPT feature. This is also how you can tailor responses to your preferences, so for example, if you prefer that ChatGPT is a little less overly positive, you can tell it so.
To customize ChatGPT, head to the ChatGPT website, then tap on your profile picture in the top right-hand corner, then click on the “Customize ChatGPT” option. From here, you'll be able to tell the service what you prefer to be called and your occupation, for example. You'll also be able to detail what kind of traits you want ChatGPT to have, or you can choose one or multiple preset options. Lastly, there's a box that lets you basically tell ChatGPT whatever you want it to know about you apart from your name and occupation, so you could give it information about your family, where you live, your interests, and so on.
MemoryEven if you don't explicitly tell ChatGPT things about you through the customization options, you can have it learn about you as you chat with it, through the Memory feature. Memory is basically what it sounds like: a list of things that ChatGPT will “remember” about you. It also includes your past prompts and questions.
With the Memory feature turned on, the so-called memories that ChatGPT stores will evolve and expand over time. Not only that, but the feature will allow ChatGPT to refer back to previous conversations so that you don't have to spell out everything about yourself each time you start a new chat. This is also helpful if you often ask questions about the same topic.
To customize the Memory feature, head to the website and tap on your profile picture, then click on “Settings.” Choose the “Personalization” option from the settings menu. From here you can toggle on the reference saved memories feature and manage the memories that the service has saved, including deleting individual memories if you want to. Recently, OpenAI also added a new Memory feature that essentially allows ChatGPT to refer back to all your previous conversations. It's an expanded version of memories that makes the feature even more powerful, and you can toggle it on or off here.
SEE ALSO: All your ChatGPT conversations to be saved as part of ongoing lawsuits – even deleted ones Voice ModeVoice mode essentially allows you to have a conversation with ChatGPT through voice instead of chat. It's helpful for when you're not in a position to be able to type things out or you simply want to have a quicker conversation.
There aren't a ton of settings to tweak for voice mode, but you can choose which voice you want ChatGPT to have. To do this, head to the “Settings” menu, then click on the “Speech” option. From here, you can choose from a number of different voices and play a clip of those voices speaking as you choose.
ConnectorsConnectors allow ChatGPT to access information that would otherwise be locked behind a password. In other words, you can connect your Google account to ChatGPT so that it can read your emails, which allows it to answer questions about emails, create a summary of any unread emails, and so on. There are actually a number of different connectors that you can choose from. On top of your Gmail account, you can also connect to Google Drive and Google Calendar, Dropbox, Outlook email, Microsoft Teams, and more.
To log into these accounts through connectors, head to the settings menu, then click on the “Connectors” option. From here you can log into any accounts you want ChatGPT to have access to.
ToolsChatGPT can make use of different features and tools on a chat-by-chat basis, and it's worth familiarizing yourself with these tools so that you can select the best ones for the specific situation. The most basic option to choose from is the large language model that you want to use. Unfortunately, choosing the right model is pretty confusing, so unless you're familiar with the different models and the advantages and disadvantages that they have, it's probably best to just read the OpenAI recommendations below each model and do your best to choose the best one. You can choose from the different models in a new chat by tapping on the drop-down menu on the top left of the screen, which is labeled with whatever model you're currently using.
The other tools that you can make use of are available straight from the chat window. When you tap on the little tools button, you can choose for ChatGPT to do things like create an image, search the web, write, or conduct deep research, which tells the service to go through multiple steps to research a particular topic. Also available in the chat window is an option to record your prompt using voice, which will then transcribe the prompt text or enter advanced voice mode.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
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