IT General

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 SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Sept. 29, 2025:

AcrossWalgreens competitor

• The answer is CVS.

What sprinklers might sprinkle

• The answer is Lawn.

Assumed name

• The answer is Alias.

Company whose round, red-white-and-blue logo is known as the "globe"

• The answer is Pepsi.

Emanation from a hot shower

• The answer is Steam.

DownExpresses appreciation for a performance, say

• The answer is Claps.

Kind of parking

• The answer is Valet.

Express appreciation for a dating profile, say

• The answer is Swipe.

Org. whose round, red-white-and-blue logo is known as the "meatball"

• The answer is NASA.

Virtual thing to "run," for short

• The answer is Sim.

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 today's Mini Crossword.

Fortnite has disabled a Peacemaker dance emote after the series' latest episode aired on Thursday. Though the Peaceful Hips emote's goofy choreography seems innocuous at first glance, Peacemaker's revelation this week adds new meaning to the moves, apparently prompting Epic Games to rethink the collaboration.

"We're disabling the Peaceful Hips Emote in Fortnite as we inquire into our partner's creative intentions in this collab emote," the official Fortnite status X account announced over the weekend. "Assuming it's not coming back, we'll issue refunds in the next few days. Sorry folks."

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It seems that the Peaceful Hips Fortnite dance may contain deliberate allusions to highly offensive symbols, which went undetected until Peacemaker's new episode made them much clearer.

Beware, spoilers for Peacemaker follow.

The sixth episode in Peacemaker's second season, "Ignorance is Chris" continued to follow the titular vigilante (John Cena) as he attempted to abandon his dimension to build a new life in an alternate one. However, toward the end of the episode, it was revealed that Nazi Germany won World War II in this world, resulting in a universe led by white supremacists. 

Though this twist was kept heavily under wraps, Peacemaker did hint at it in earlier episodes. Most significantly, the show hinted at it via the dance Peacemaker performs during the second season's opening credits. In it, the vigilante bends both arms at right angles in a move which, in light of last week's revelations, now appears to be a deliberate allusion to the Nazi swastika.

"Season 2, there's a lot more of the story of the season in the intro [dance]," Peacemaker choreographer Charissa Barton said in August.

Fortnite's Peaceful Hips emote was based on this dance, replicating the same bent-arm movement. 

The dance move could be seen as a clever, sneaky hint for Peacemaker viewers in context. Unfortunately, it takes on a markedly different tone when transformed into a Fortnite dance that players can make their characters perform in the competitive first-person shooter. Many young players also learn these dances and replicate them in real life.

Credit: HBO Max/Epic Games/Mashable composite

Added to the game earlier this month, Fortnite's Peaceful Hips emote was available for purchase in the Item Shop either by itself or as part of the Peacemaker Bundle. As of writing, all Peacemaker items appear to have been removed from the shop, however all except the Peaceful Hips emote can still be used by players who already own them.

It's a new lunar phase tonight, First Quarter, which means we're seeing around half of the moon tonight.

The moon goes through a cycle of eight distinct phases, known as the lunar phases. NASA explains that these phases occur as the Sun illuminates varying portions of the moon while it moves around our planet.

Keep reading to see what you can see when you look up tonight, Sept. 29.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Sept. 29, the moon phase is First Quarter, and according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 46% of its surface is illuminated tonight.

With no visual aids tonight, you'll be able to see plenty on the moon's surface, including: the Mare Crisium, Mare Tranquillitatis, and the Mare Vaporum. If you've got a pair of binoculars, you'll get great views of some of the moon's mountains, the Apennine and Alps mountain ranges. Finally, with a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Apollo 17 and 16 landing spots and the Caucasus Mountains.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Oct. 6. The last full moon was on Sept. 7.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the moon’s phases are part of its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. As the moon moves, the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth shift, creating the changing phases we see. From our perspective, the moon sometimes appears full, sometimes seems to vanish completely, but we always see the same side. What changes is how much sunlight is reflecting off its surface, depending on its position in orbit.

This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Long gone are the days of lying to the dentist about whether you floss regularly or not (and take it from us, they always know when you're lying). Because flossing has had an upgrade in recent years. Indeed, you can put that little box of minty floss aside for a moment. These days, it's all about the power of water flossing.

For those who don't know, the water flosser — or oral irrigator to use the dentist-approved technical term — has been having a TikTok moment. For once, it's a TikTok trend that's actually good for you. It will also keep the dental hygienist off your case.

Look, we know the struggle. You're not alone. Flossing can be a hassle, but it is an essential part of maintaining a healthy mouth. So, where to start with water flossers? Keep reading for some helpful information and a round-up of the best water flosser models available. These will keep your smile sparkly white and refreshingly hygienic.

Do you actually need to floss?

It's no secret that good dental hygiene involves more than just brushing. Sure, brushing is an important part of the process and helps remove plaque and prevent cavities, but you need to do more to keep your teeth healthy and prevent gum disease. Flossing gets in between your teeth and helps lift and remove plaque. In other words, it reaches the places your electric toothbrush can't. And if you don't clean these areas, you're asking for plaque buildup and gum disease.

How do water flossers work?

Water flossers shoot a stream of water into your mouth to remove food particles and plaque build-up. They get into the periodontal pockets — the gaps between teeth and gums — which prevents gum disease. Another advantage is convenience. There's no fumbling around with slippery floss. They're also great for anyone who wears braces. But can you get away with only using a water flosser? The experts at Oral-B state that it's "not recommended to replace traditional flossing with water flossing." Instead, you should incorporate both traditional and water flossing into your daily routine.

How do you use a water flosser?

Water flossers are easy to use, but we'll still break the process down so there are no doubt. We're kinda nice like that. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Add water — OK, this might seem obvious, but you'll need water to use your water flosser. Simply fill the reservoir with lukewarm water. Reservoir capacities vary model to model.

2. Aim — Don't start your water flosser without first placing the nozzle firmly in your mouth. We wouldn't want you to spray water all over your bathroom. Aim the device away from your target area rather than directly against your teeth and gums.

3. Find your perfect pressure setting — At this point you can play around with the water pressure. The pressure should be high enough to actually get the job done, but always start with the lowest pressure setting and work up. Water flossers tend to have a selection of pressure levels.

4. Direction — Work your way around your mouth, targeting one tooth at a time. Direct the water at your gum line and at the areas between your teeth. There's no golden rule for how long on each tooth, but two seconds is more than enough. Most flossers come with a selection of jet tips that each have their own specific cleaning function.

5. Remove water — We've come full circle, and at this point you just need to turn off the device, remove the nozzle, and drain the remaining water from the reservoir. Don't skip this step — leaving water in your reservoir can result in bacterial growth.

6. Cleaning — This whole process is about improving your oral hygiene, so it would kind of defeat the point to not clean your water flosser’s reservoir after every session.

What is the best water flosser?

We've covered the benefits of flossing, whether water flossers work, and how to use a water flosser, and now there is only one thing left to cover. There are plenty of water flossers on offer from top personal care brands, but which model is the best?

We have checked out everything out there from top brands like Oral-B, Panasonic, and Waterpik, and highlighted a selection of your best options. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list — for experienced and newbie flossers.

These are the best water flossers in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Take it from us: No home cinema is complete without a soundbar. Even the most premium smart TVs lose something in the sound. Their speakers never quite match the visuals. That’s because those speakers are usually built into the back or bottom of the TV, which doesn't equate to quality sound. Even with TV manufacturers thinking up new ways to sex-up the sound — such as audio that seems to be comes directly from the action onscreen — smart TVs are meant to be paired with a good soundbar.

A soundbar will be the foundation of a great sounding home cinema, with the option to add a subwoofer (sometimes included) or additional speakers. In this kind of setup, the TV itself becomes just one component in a whole system of cinematic-quality speakers.

But how do you choose a soundbar? There are so many models available. It’s hard to pick apart all the jargon and specifications — especially if you’re a soundbar novice. But listen up, because we’ve done some important research to help you decide. Here's some useful information and a round-up of the best soundbars you can buy right now.

What is a soundbar?

Instead of a bunch of speakers dotted around the room or a chunky amplifier, a soundbar sits under your TV. You can also mount them on the wall, if that’s how you've for your smart TV set-up. Designed specifically for TVs, with a wider build for improved acoustics, soundbars offer a superior quality over built-in speakers — a crisper, more nuanced sound with resonating bass and clearer dialogue.

Do soundbars provide surround sound?

Soundbars can absolutely be integrated into a surround sound setup. Surround sound puts you in the centre of the action by having speakers literally surrounding you, or dotted around the room, so the sound comes from all directions. Soundbars can be linked (often wirelessly) and you’ll find that some brands make it especially easy to connect with other speakers within their range. However, as you’ll read below, you may not need to connect your soundbar with other speakers for surround sound.

What is HDMI ARC and eARC?

These are terms you'll see a lot when shopping for decent audio-visual tech. ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. It's essentially an HDMI technology that allows you to connect your TV to a speaker via a single HDMI cable without needing multiple optical cables. Meanwhile, eARC—or Enhanced Audio Return Channel—is a souped up version that utilises the more advanced HDMI 2.1 technology. In basic terms, it gives you a bigger, faster bandwidth for even higher quality. This is particularly good for audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, or next gen gaming.

What is Dolby Atmos?

This is a fantastic innovation in surround sound technology, derived from cinemas. Any TV, speaker, or soundbar that’s equipped with Dolby Atmos is essentially a premium bit of kit. Dolby Atmos bounces sound off the walls to create a 3D soundstage and truly immersive experience. Atmos-equipped soundbars have speakers that fire upwards and bounce sound off the ceiling. Dolby Atmos soundbars essentially create a cinema-like experience without the need for multiple speakers.

What does pass-through mean?

While most people tend to plug all their devices (gaming console, Blu-ray player etc) into the TV then run audio from the TV to the soundbar, pass-through allows you to plug these devices directly into the soundbar and run an HDMI out from the soundbar and to the TV. This passes the video signal through the speaker to the TV while giving you uncompressed audio. In other words, the best sound possible. But not every soundbar is equipped with pass-through. It's usually reserved for premium models.

Do soundbars have a voice assistant?

Many soundbars have Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can ask them to adjust the sound or even change the channel. Some soundbars will also connect to music streaming apps or double up as a hub for your smart home.

How much does a soundbar cost?

You can spend around £200 for basic soundbars, or go into the thousands. It all depends on the kind of tech and quality of sound you want. This roundup includes options for most budgets, so there's definitely something for you here.

What is the best soundbar?

You need to ask yourself several questions before making a decision — questions about audio quality, smart features, connectivity, and price. Whatever features suit you and your watching habits best, there's a good option listed below.

These are the best soundbars in 2025.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition requires some knowledge on NASCAR and football.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a 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.

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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.

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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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: Numbers for a football score

• Green: Greek Freak

• Blue: Places in the southeast

• Purple: Racecar drivers

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: Points That Can Be Scored on One Football Play

• Green: Associated with Giannis Antetokounmpo

• Blue: SEC Cities

• Purple: NASCAR Cup Series Champions, Familiarly

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 #371 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Points That Can Be Scored on One Football Play - 1, 2, 3, 6

• Associated with Giannis Antetokounmpo - 34, BUCKS, GREECE, MVP

• SEC Cities - ATHENS, FAYETTEVILLE, NORMAN, OXFORD

• NASCAR Cup Series Champions, Familiarly - CALE, DALE, JEFF, JIMMIE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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 today's Connections.

The more software you install on your computer, the longer it may seem to take to start up Windows. Many programs add themselves to the list of programs started when you boot your computer, and that list can get long. Here's how you can disable startup programs in Windows.

Physical media as a whole is fading away to be overtaken by digital versions that offer more convenience and easier access. A minority (albeit a growing one) of people are pining for CDs, DVDs, paper books, and other similar media, but what about comic books?

Microsoft Excel has four cell modes—Ready, Enter, Edit, and Point. Having the correct cell mode activated is crucial for effective data entry management, formula creation, and cell modification, and being in the wrong cell mode can cause frustration.

The biggest advantage that gaming PCs have over other platforms and form-factors is upgradability, but what should you upgrade first, and how much of a difference will it make?

As with clearing the cache in your browser, clearing the cache in Windows is a good start for troubleshooting system issues, improving system performance, and freeing up disk space. Here's how to clear your cache in Windows 10.

Like a lot of you, the first optical mouse I ever used was the optical version of the Microsoft Intellimouse. Until I used a ball-less mouse for the first time, I had no idea how annoying that little sphere was to use and maintain. But the iIntellimouse was more than just an average mouse with its ball removed. The overall design was timeless, and I'd even say a mouse that's still usable today.

The mid-size SUV game is brutal. Every brand throws serious money at it, and even the so-called “carryover” years usually sneak in a few surprises.

It doesn't matter whether you're learning the terminal or a seasoned pro, there's always plenty of little tricks for you to learn—tricks that save you time. I have three useful Bash tricks that you can add to your arsenal.

There’s absolutely no reason a phone’s keyboard app needs to connect to the internet, yet every popular keyboard app does this. Google’s Gboard and Microsoft’s Swiftkey both ping home, which feels like a privacy nightmare. The problem is that I’ve never been able to find a keyboard that’s just as good as Gboard—until now.

It’s absurd that in the year 2025, there isn’t a quick and universal platform-independent way to send text and files between a phone and a computer. You always have to rely on some mix of texting apps, email, or cloud storage to share files and text across platforms. Or so I thought.

Did macOS 26’s Spotlight update leave you wanting more? It did for me, too. That’s why I’m still using Alfred. Alfred is so much more than a Spotlight replacement, and isn’t even on the same playing field as Apple’s search tool.

One of the most missed software when switching to Linux is Notepad++. Many Windows users love it due to its simplicity and programming-related features. There are many modern text editors on Linux that do a great job. After some searching, I've found one that I like a lot.

Toyota’s reputation for building rugged, go-anywhere vehicles is legendary, and few nameplates embody that legacy better than the Land Cruiser and the 4Runner. Both have decades of proven durability, serious off-road hardware, and loyal followings, making this matchup a true test of capability and value.

Apple’s calling iOS 26 the biggest update for iPhones in a while, and it does have a lot of new features to show for. However, if you look closely, you'll realize that many of the new tricks are oddly familiar because Android phones have had them for quite some time.