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SAVE $100: As of June 9, the Kindle Scribe is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 22% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe $349.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100 Get Deal

If you've been eyeing up the Kindle Scribe for some time, you should probably know that it's $100 off for a limited time. Yep, the new Kindle with a groundbreaking redesign (meaning you can now write on your books and documents) is currently on sale at Amazon for its lowest-ever price.

As of June 9, the new price is $349.99. This is for the 64GB model in either color: metallic jade ot tungsten.

SEE ALSO: From the basic to the Paperwhite, these are Amazon's best Kindles

This Kindle Scribe deal also comes with the Premium Pen, so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. This is a big upgrade on the basic pen, as this model comes with an eraser at the top so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen. It is also battery-free and works through a special power source embedded in the Kindle Scribe, so you don't need to charge it.

As well as its note-taking abilities, the Scribe has a 10.2-inch, 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare and ink-free. Like the OG Kindle model, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or in hard-to-read lighting. And if you're a hectic note taker, don't worry, you can summarize your notes, as well as change their length and tone with clever built-in AI notebook tools.

Head to Amazon without delay to get this great Kindle Scribe deal.

The best deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

If Slack is acting a bit weird for you today, you're not alone.

The business chat app isn't completely down for us at Mashable, but some channels and messages simply aren't loading, even after a restart.

A quick glance over at Downdetector shows that a lot of problem are having issues with Slack this morning (Disclosure: Ziff Davis owns both Mashable and Downdetector.) Slack's own official Status page shows that some users have trouble loading Slack, and that messages aren't working all that well.

Looks like the incident reports are piling up. Credit: Downdetector

"Some users may be experiencing issues loading content in Slack, particularly threads and the Activity view," the company wrote in an incident report. "We’re still actively investigating this issue, but we don’t have any new information to share at this time. Thanks for sticking with us as we continue to work towards a fix."

SEE ALSO: Slack security crack: Its AI feature can breach your private conversations, according to report

We'll keep you posted with any updates about the issue. In the meantime, we'd like to remind you that this is a great excuse to tell your boss you simply can't work because Slack is down (it didn't work for me though, I still had to write this article).

TL;DR: Take care of your online security with a limited time lifetime subscription to FastestVPN Pro Plan, now just £25.87 for coverage on 15 devices.

Opens in a new window Credit: FastestVPN FastestVPN PRO: Lifetime Subscription (15 Devices) £25.87
£443.81 Save £417.94 Get Deal

Ready to start taking your online security more seriously? FastestVPN is an easy and affordable way to protect you and your loved ones from these invisible threats, and you can currently score a Pro Plan lifetime subscription that safeguards up to 15 different devices for just £25.87. But act fast — this plan is only available for a limited time.

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It can be hard to take your online security seriously, especially since it’s an invisible threat. But hackers and cybercriminals are always hard at work, and your personal data is at risk if you don’t take the right precautions. FastestVPN is an affordable way to secure your devices, as it lets you browse the web safely and anonymously.

Choose from more than 900 high-speed servers worldwide, allowing you to hide your real location. Once you’re up and running, you can take advantage of the reason FastestVPN got its name — 99% uptime and minimal downtime or interruptions in service. You’ll also enjoy their WireGuard protocol, which offers secure, unhindered speeds with 10GPBS fastest servers so you won’t have to deal with annoying buffering.

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This lifetime subscription to a FastestVPN Pro Plan provides permanent security for 15 different devices. And it’s only being offered for a limited time, so you should take advantage of this deal while it lasts. You’ll also secure a one-year subscription to a password manager to help you keep tabs on your important details.

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StackSocial prices subject to change.

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 categories

Want 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

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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 today

• Lively - 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 categories

Want 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

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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 today

• Keyboard 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 9

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.

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 Mashable

By 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 get

The words are incognito-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These 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 today

Today'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 9

• Mask

• 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 9

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.

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 hint

Ordinary.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

BASIC

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An orchard.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GROVE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Frequently.

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 answer

OFTEN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Tells time.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 8 Hurdle Word 4 answer

CLOCK

Final Hurdle hint

Sarcastically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

DRYLY

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 far

Set 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 Ironheart

The 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 Trailer

IGN 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 Clip

Can 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 anniversary

Critical 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 clip

In 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 look

It’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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Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan AU$432
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This cloud storage service truly values your privacy

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Though you may not have thought about it, traditional cloud storage providers can monetize user data with targeted advertising and data sharing. There's also the worry of data breaches or surveillance with these bigger companies. 

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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 categories

Want 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

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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 today

• Competition - 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 Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, June 8, 2025:

AcrossOrg. with shooting stars

• The answer is NBA.

Buildings with weather vanes, stereotypically

• The answer is Barns.

Swiss watch brand

• The answer is Omega

What Santa, Gandalf and Dumbledore each have

• The answer is Beard.

Pie in the ___

• The answer is Sky.

Down"I'm bad with ___" (party excuse)

• The answer is Names.

Start of a billiards game

• The answer is Break.

Seeing red

• The answer is Angry.

Timothée's role in "A Complete Unknown"

• The answer is Bob.

Feeling blue

• 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 Games

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

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

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If you can imagine it, you can create it with Imagiyo

Imagiyo makes creating art as easy as providing a prompt. No artistic ability or extensive AI knowledge is required. Imagiyo simply needs the power of your imagination and your preferred pixel size to get going. Type in what you’d like to create, then sit back and watch Imagiyo work its AI-powered magic.

You can create commercial content for social media, design a sentimental gift for a loved one, or even craft a funny meme for a colleague. Images can be high-quality and print-ready, and nothing is ever stamped with a watermark, so you can do what you’d like with your creations.

While most AI image generators put restrictions on your creativity, Imagiyo doesn’t. They even let you make NSFW images — just make sure your privacy settings are set to private for that content

You’ll get 500 images per month and two images per request with this lifetime subscription to Imagiyo’s standard plan. And you can rest easy knowing you’ll never see an ad, ever.

Create whatever you can dream up with this lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator Standard Plan for only $39.97 (reg. $495) through July 20.

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TL;DR: Get lifetime access to BitMar for only $14.99 (reg. $150) with code BITMAR5 and instantly discover free, on-demand movies, TV shows, and music from across the web — all in one place.

We’re living in a world where subscription fatigue is a real concern. Between Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, and those random apps you signed up for to watch that one thing (which turned into five), you could easily spend over $100/month just trying to keep up. But what if you didn’t need another subscription to find quality content? Well, hold onto your hats.

BitMar is a smart, AI-powered streaming content-finder that connects you to millions of free, legal movies, shows, live channels, and songs from around the web— without the fluff, fees, or frustration. Think of it as your universal remote for online content, organizing it all in one easy-to-use platform accessible from any device you already own. Sounds really nice, right?

Whether you’re into old classics, global TV, live news, documentaries, or just want to see what’s out there without sifting through six apps, BitMar helps you find it fast. It’s built on the same AI that powers Bing’s search engine, but fine-tuned specifically for free streaming content.

If you’re looking for international content, BitMar also gives you access to global entertainment in multiple languages — ideal for language learners, expats, or anyone who wants to explore beyond the typical U.S. streaming bubble. From telenovelas, K-dramas, Hindi hits, or British panel shows, BitMar helps you find it fast, without the subscription clutter.

No downloads. No contracts. No hidden fees.

Make the one-time payment of just $14.99 (reg. $150) with the code BITMAR5, and you’ve got access to BitMar for life.

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TL;DR: Keep a scanner in your pocket with this lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP, now only $41.99 with code TAKE30 through July 20.

Forget complicated setups or bulky equipment. With SwiftScan, you can capture sharp, high-quality scans of any document directly from your smartphone or tablet — anytime, anywhere. Right now, you can enjoy this convenient tool for life for just $41.99 (reg. $199.99) until July 20 if you use code TAKE30.

A smarter way to scan — right from your phone or tablet

Scanning on the go is easy with SwiftScan. This handy app can help you save a receipt, safeguard a note, and submit a form with just a few taps.

SwiftScan automatically identifies the document edges and then captures and crops the pages, handling all the hard work for you. It saves scans in premium quality starting at 200 dpi, and you can enhance with options like color filters, auto-optimization, and blur reduction.

If you’re scanning multiple pages, you can easily save them as a single document. It’s also able to scan QR codes and barcodes to save contacts, open a website, or view product information.

Choose to save your scans as a JPEG or PDF. If you choose PDF, SwiftScan also doubles as a PDF editor, letting you draw, highlight, or erase text from your scans. It can also reorder, remove, or add pages, and add signatures and notes to your files.

After scanning, you can send files exactly where they need to go via email or fax. You can also upload them to your preferred cloud storage. And SwiftScan saves and organizes all of your scans in the app so you can easily find them later.

Make scanning as easy as a few taps with this lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP, now just $41.99 (reg. $199.99) with code TAKE30 through July 20.

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TL;DR: Give your PC an upgrade with this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license, now for only $29.99 (reg. $229).

Has it been a while since you enjoyed the perks of Microsoft Office? There’s a reason these tried-and-true apps have lasting appeal, and you can rediscover why with this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows. It’s on sale now for just $29.99 (reg. $229) — which boils down to less than $4 per app — right here for a limited time.

Rediscover Microsoft Office with this amazing deal

Let Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows give your PC a serious upgrade, outfitting it with some of Microsoft’s must-have apps. This license includes seven helpful tools — from old classics like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, to newer additions like OneNote, Publisher, and Access.

Each of these apps brings something unique to the table, with a wide variety of tools to help you with work, school, play, and anything else life throws at you. This license allows you to enjoy them all for life, with no monthly fees required.

Although this version dates back to 2019, it’s not outdated — it’s been redesigned with improved cloud connectivity and enhanced features. You can take advantage of new analysis capabilities in Excel, new presentation tools in PowerPoint, and updated email and contact management features in Outlook.

Once you purchase, you’ll get instant delivery to download and install the apps on your PC. You’ll need to be running Windows 10 or 11, as Windows 7 and 8 don’t support the software. If you run into any problems, you can reach out to Microsoft’s free customer support.

Enjoy major savings on this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license, now for just $29.99 (reg. $229).

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TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, now just $54.97 through July 20.

Why keep paying for software subscriptions? Owning is better than renting, and that’s exactly what The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro Bundle offers.

Pay once and enjoy a permanent upgrade to your PC with new powerful tools and a refreshed interface — no recurring fees required. Right now, this bundle is only $54.97 (reg. $418) until July 20.

Ditch monthly subscriptions and give your PC a productivity boost with this bundle

The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro Bundle makes your PC as good as new, outfitting it with helpful apps and a brand-new operating system to boot. The best part? You only have to pay once to enjoy all these perks.

This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license includes eight apps ready to help you both personally and professionally. Make a budget in Excel, create a standout presentation for work in PowerPoint, and answer emails with Outlook. You’ll also receive Word, OneNote, Teams, Publisher, and Access.

Don’t let the 2021 label fool you—this version actually includes more apps than the newer 2024 edition. It also uses familiar interfaces and skips the AI features, so there’s nothing new to learn.

Windows 11 Pro will give your PC a new lease on life. This operating system was created for the modern professional, so you can rely on it to power you through your day. It has a seamless interface and improves your online security with features like enhanced antivirus protection.

Spoil an old PC with The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, now just $54.97 (reg. $418) through July 20.

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The 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't

These 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 lineups

Not 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 updates

I'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 home

I'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 recently

I 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.