IT General

I might as well have this text message saved in my notes app, because I send it every summer. It’s a text to my mom that mentions the awful air quality index (AQI) number, followed by a reminder that it’s not a good idea to walk the dog or leave the windows open and that she needs to be running an air purifier inside 24/7.

When I grew up in Seattle, we didn't deal with dangerous air quality. But these days, Seattle has a wildfire smoke season when forest fires waft awful air into the city. We hit dangerous AQI numbers, people flock to the stores for air purifiers, and I text my mom a reminder that she really should not be walking the dog. She ignores me, but I have convinced her that she needs to run an air purifier inside 24/7.

I also make her use that same air purifier during holiday gatherings each December. Winter viruses just love to make an appearance, and one of the worst gifts to give family is the cold you picked up at the work party. She turns the air purifier on but complains that it blows cold air on guests at the dinner table. And she’s totally correct, but I’d rather put on a nice wool sweater than inhale someone’s sneeze.

When I noticed the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 air purifier worked to clean air while also heating (or cooling), I was all ears. Could this save Christmas? I needed to test it out myself to see if it deserves a spot at this year’s holiday gathering.

How the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 works

The majority of modern air purifiers serve a single function — suck air in and push it back out after filtering it, which gets rid of harmful elements. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters have become the norm since they can capture over 99 percent of stuff we don’t want to be inhaling, like dust, pollen, wildfire smoke, pet dander, mold, and viruses. 

The Blueair Comfort Pure 3-in-1 uses a replaceable HEPA filter in addition to a screen cover that you can wipe clean. The screen can be useful for catching larger particles like hair or dust mites, and it means there’s less to clog up the more important HEPA filter. 

The back of the Blueair ComfortPure with included HEPA filter. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

When you turn the Blueair ComfortPure on, you’re met with a basic LCD screen where you can select from cooling (fan), heat, or boosted purification. The control panel also lets you choose between four fan speeds, oscillation, display brightness, and an eco mode. Adding to the value, the Blueair ComfortPure comes with a remote control with basic buttons like power, mode, fan speed, and oscillation. I get super excited about air purifiers that come with a remote control, but this one left me wanting more. The remote is useful, yes, but it’s so sad compared to the impressive Blueair app that I never used the remote. But more on the app in a bit.

Does it actually heat?

What intrigued me most about the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 was the heating function, but does it actually work? To test it out, I used it in my always-chilly daylight basement. Over the past few years, I’ve relied on my Vornado space heater with amazing results to heat the basement. I love that Vornado, so the Blueair had some serious competition, but I’m happy to report it did a great job.

Since basement air tends to get stale, I have a Shark NeverChange air purifier down there, which I was able to turn off thanks to the Blueair. The basement is short on free space, so using just the Blueair to heat and clean the air is a major plus for me since it removes the need for the Vornado space heater and the Shark air purifier. Holding up to its 3-in-1 name, the Blueair really was doing multiple jobs for me from one unit.

The display interface on the Blueair Comfort Pure 3-in-1. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

While testing, I also spent a week at a friend’s lakeside cabin. In April, temperatures in the North Cascades were low enough that I couldn’t feel my toes while hiking. Back inside the cabin, we turned the central heating off and relied only on the Blueair for warm relief from the outdoors. Of course, it wasn’t as powerful as the central heating, but its performance was impressive. We opted to leave the central heating off since the sound is a bit much in the small cabin.

Boiled down, the Blueair ComfortPure's heating ability more than earns it a spot next to the holiday dinner table, and I think my mom will be pleased.

A breeze of cool air, but not an air conditioner

Right off the bat, the Blueair ComfortPure’s ability to “cool” refers to its fan function. No, this compact unit is not an air conditioner, and reading reviews on Amazon, people seem shocked and disappointed by this. I’m not an HVAC professional, but I think assuming a two-foot-tall portable unit can purify, heat, and work as an air conditioner is asking a bit much.

Now that we’ve clarified that info, I love the Blueair’s fan function. Chilled and purified air coming from the long central vent feels like a dream come true come summer nights. At the highest fan speed, the Blueair can move some serious air, which means that hot and stuffy air is not going to stay put with the Blueair around.

SEE ALSO: I survived a summer with no AC with this $95 portable fan

Another stunning highlight of the Blueair ComfortPure is the 350-degree oscillation. That’s right — this thing comes so close to doing a full 360 rotation. Imagine that oscillation functionality on a hot summer's night. The fan will reach both sides of the bed and even push cold air toward the dog’s sleeping area. 

The Blueair app is so good

I already mentioned that the Blueair comes with a remote control, and ordinarily, I’d be jazzed, but the Blueair app is so spectacular that the remote seems incredibly lame. You genuinely have complete control of the purifier within the app, which means you never have to get out of bed to adjust settings or miss a single moment of your show. And if we’re being honest, it’s a lot more likely you’ll lose a remote control while your phone is always nearby.

The Blueair app gives you a real-time reading of your indoor air quality, the outdoor air quality, your indoor temperature, and humidity. You can also view a lovely chart that gives you an overview of what your indoor air quality has looked like over the last few days, weeks, or even months. You can change the air purifier’s mode from cool to boosted perfection, and you can also adjust the oscillation. And, set schedules in the app or check on the status of your HEPA filter’s lifespan.

None of these functions are hidden or confusing to use, and that’s a major plus for my recommendation. Even non-tech-savvy people would be comfortable with this app. 

The Blueair app is incredibly useful. Credit: Screenshot: Blueair The app’s single limitation and a creepy but cool function

Noticeably, there’s one function you cannot activate from the app, and that’s heating. That’s inconvenient because while hanging out on the couch, I got chilly and wanted some extra heat, but I had to get up. But this is a safety feature Blueair incorporated, and I respect, understand, and am ultimately thankful for this. It would be far too dangerous to accidentally turn the heat on while I was off on vacation and away from home for a week. And so, you’ll need to turn the heat on from the unit itself or the remote control. 

Lastly, the app has a feature called “Welcome Home.” In this menu, you tell the app where the air purifier lives (your home address) and how you usually get home (drive, bike, walk, public transportation). The Blueair app then turns the purifier on to clean the air when you’re 15 minutes away from home. That’s both really cool and also a bit creepy. If the air purifier could speak to say “welcome home” when we walk in the front door, we could have the opening scene of a sci-fi thriller movie. But regardless of the creep, it’s a unique feature that shows Blueair is really trying to make the air purifier as useful as possible, and that’s commendable. If you’d rather your air purifier not know where you are, you can simply never activate the Welcome Home function. 

It’s best for small spaces

The T10i model of the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 that I tested is best for smaller spaces like a bedroom, an office, or a basement. Blueair recommends this model for rooms of about 175 square feet, and it’ll refresh the air in 12.5 minutes in a room of that size. Of course, you can use it in larger rooms, but it’ll be slightly less efficient and take longer to get those air changes, but it’s still useful. In 30 minutes, it can clean a 420-square-foot space, and in one hour, an 840-square-foot area.

If you’re aiming to use the Blueair ComfortPure in a larger space, the T20i model can refresh the air in a 352-square-foot room in 12.5 minutes, about twice as efficient as the smaller T10i.

A moment of admiration for the design

We have to talk about the design details of the Blueair ComfortPure because this feels like a luxe appliance. For starters, the entire thing looks sleek and expensive. Maybe it’s the neutral color palette instead of a stark white or the matte appearance of the plastic, but this does not feel or look like a cheap air purifier.

Those magnetic closures are lux. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

To gain access to the guts of the unit to insert or change the filter, you use fabric pull tabs. The back panel attaches to the purifier itself via two magnets which means there’s no snapping together of cheap plastic pieces here. Instead, you get a smooth and super satisfying magnetic system that’s wow-worthy. 

Another tiny detail that has left me elated is the fabric carrying handle that’s attached at the back. I tested this air purifier in many rooms of my home, and I even brought it along for a weekend getaway. The carrying handle Blueair incorporated here is awesome, and I never once had to awkwardly hug the purifier to move it around. 

We love a handle. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable Is the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 air purifier worth the money?

If you’re looking for a space-saving air purifier that can also serve as a fan or a heater, the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 is a great choice. It performs exactly the way you’d hope, and the design details make it feel and look high-end. The incredible oscillation range is also noteworthy, and the app is truly wonderful.

If you only need an air purifier, the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 is probably not necessary, and you can snag a model that only cleans the air for much less money. That being said, if you use an air purifier, a space heater in the winter, and a fan come summertime, the Blueair is likely well worth the price. 

Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 air purifier $399.99 at Amazon
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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 24 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 24, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

First class.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

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...

ELITE.

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 24

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 today's Wordle.

A massive new telescope with the world's largest digital camera is expected to create the most comprehensive digital movie of the night sky ever attempted, capturing about 40 billion space objects.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in northern Chile released its first images to the public on Monday. Later this year, it will begin its primary project, the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, sweeping across the entire visible southern sky every three to four nights for at least a decade. The goal is to create the most detailed time-lapse view of the cosmos so far, allowing astronomers to track objects that move and those that change brightness.

In just 10 hours of test observations, Rubin has already demonstrated its power. It captured over 2,000 previously unknown asteroids in our solar system, plus millions of stars and galaxies. The rollout is a sneak peek at what the observatory will do for the next 10 years: Each night, it’ll snap about 1,000 high-definition photos — providing a veritable "firehose of data," researchers say.

For astronomers, this means catching sight of supernova explosions, pulsating stars, and near-Earth asteroids and comets. Some of these images could reveal ripples in space-time, offering hints of invisible forces shaping the cosmos. For the rest of us, it means better planetary defense, potential discoveries of unknown objects, and, of course, beautiful eye candy.

"Between objects in most astronomical pictures, it kind of looks like inky black space. That's what you've seen before, but that's not what you saw here," said Steven Ritz, the project scientist for Rubin's construction, during a livestreamed news conference. "That inky black space actually is full of stuff. It's full of galaxies. It's full of all kinds of interesting things."

SEE ALSO: Spectacular Webb telescope image shows a stellar death like never before Two spiral galaxies appear to tumble through space in this first-look image of a portion of the Virgo cluster. Credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA

The observatory, built by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, sits atop a desert mountain, Cerro Pachón, high in the Chilean Andes, where the skies are clear, dry, and stable. It's named for astronomer Vera Rubin, who uncovered early evidence of so-called "dark matter," a mysterious-yet-abundant substance in space that doesn't shine or interact with light, according to NASA. Now Rubin's namesake observatory will try to crack the code of that material and probe some of the other biggest cosmic mysteries.

With a primary mirror that stretches 28 feet wide, Rubin isn’t the biggest telescope in the world — but it may be among the busiest. It's equipped with a hulking digital camera that's the size of a small car and twice as heavy. With 3,200 megapixel resolution, a full picture from the camera would require a wall of 400 TVs covering a basketball court.

The telescope’s unusual design, which allows the large instrument to swivel nimbly, makes all of this possible. At full tilt, the 300-ton structure can revolve all the way around in about a half-minute, with magnetic motors allowing it to coast on a thin layer of oil. 

"No other large telescope in the world can move this fast," said Željko Ivezić, director of the observatory's construction. "It moves around in seconds. Other large telescopes take minutes."

The observatory has the potential to discover 5 million new asteroids in just two years. Over the next 10 years, Rubin will take pictures of about 20 billion galaxies.

In its debut, the telescope turned its eye toward two familiar showstoppers in deep space: the Trifid and Lagoon nebulas in the constellation Sagittarius. These colorful clouds of gas and dust, each thousands of light-years away, are baby star nurseries.

The Trifid nebula, top right, glows a pinkish hue surrounded in blue above the sprawling Lagoon nebula, both thousands of light-years from Earth. Credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA

The Trifid glows with pinks and blues, carved by young stars punching through the haze. Nearby, the Lagoon sprawls in a soft rosy glow, its tangled wisps shaped by stellar winds.

Rubin’s early snapshots also include a bustling corner of the universe: the Virgo Cluster, a grouping of galaxies bound together by gravity. Among them are two luminous spiral galaxies that shine in bright, electric blue — cosmic pinwheels spinning in the dark.

The sky survey is expected to undertake the biggest supernova hunt ever — specifically focusing on exploding stars known as Type Ia supernovas.

Myriad galaxies stretch across this frame, which only shows a portion of the Virgo cluster. Credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA

These events happen when a white dwarf — a small, dying star — gets too heavy and blows apart. The supernovas, sometimes dubbed "cosmic yardsticks," shine brightly for a short time and give off a predictable, known amount of light. That makes them perfect for measuring distance in space: The farther the supernova, the fainter it appears to us. By collecting light from these blasts, scientists can figure out how fast the universe has been stretching as that light traveled here.

This matters because scientists are trying to learn more about dark energy — a mysterious force that seems to be, counterintuitively, pushing the universe to expand faster over time. By comparing millions of these explosions across different distances, Rubin might be able to piece together whether dark energy is changing, which could rewrite what we know about the universe’s age and what's to come in the future.

"When I look at the images, I often don't pay attention to the beautiful nearby galaxies. I look at the little fuzz balls," said Aaron Roodman, who leads the team that built the camera. "Many of those galaxies are 5 or perhaps even 10 billion light-years away and have up to 100 billion stars in them, and those are the galaxies actually that we use the most if we want to study the expansion of the universe and dark energy."

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Back in 2014, Buzzfeed dominated YouTube, churning out dozens of videos each week that consistently went viral. The creative forces behind those hits — writers and video producers alike — quickly became internet stars. Among them was Ryan Bergara, who carved out his niche with Buzzfeed Unsolved, a hit web series that explored unsolved true crime cases.

Like many of his Buzzfeed colleagues, Bergara eventually left the company to forge his own path and gain creative ownership. In 2019, he co-founded Watcher Entertainment alongside fellow Buzzfeed alums Shane Madej and Steven Lim. More than five years later, Watcher has grown into a thriving platform, and Bergara is still diving into unsolved mysteries and the paranormal with Madej and Lim by his side.

SEE ALSO: YouTube turns 20: How one video at the zoo changed the internet forever

At VidCon 2025, we caught up with Bergara to talk about his viral beginnings, building Watcher from the ground up, and the advice he has for creators just starting out.

Credit: Mashable Composite: Zooey Liao/ Image Credit: Getty Images/ YouTube/ Instagram/ Watcher Entertainment Do you remember your first viral video?

It was my first video on Buzzfeed, and weirdly, it was a taste test — mothers and daughters trying tequila together. My boss had a box of tequila lying around, and for some reason, a lot of moms were visiting their daughters at work that day. So I was like, "Would you guys like to try these tequilas in pairs?" That was my magnum opus right there.

What was the catalyst for realizing that it was time to go out on your own and make content without the backing of a big media group?

Just the ownership of the content. A lot of the things that we do at Watcher have their own voice and the way that we do them. And I had made a big show at BuzzFeed called BuzzFeed Unsolved, and it started my career. I owe almost everything to that, but one thing I didn't have with Buzzfeed Unsolved was ownership of the content. So it made sense to go out and create something of my own and see what happens there, and have full ownership for better or worse.

I remember my first Buzzfeed Unsolved video — it was the Elisa Lam video

That was actually the first Unsolved video that went viral. And I just remember going to sleep, and I woke up the next morning, and it had millions of views, and I thought my phone had glitched or something. That was wild and terrifying and fun and really kicked things off.

So you have this trajectory of working at BuzzFeed and then going out on your own. What were the challenges of starting Watcher?

Honestly, all the business aspects of it. I came from a place where a lot of things were taken care of for us, and I was only tasked with leading the creative team and making Unsolved. Then with Watcher, there are other things you need to do, running a business and being a boss, which I'm figuring out on the fly to this day.

What has the experience been like growing an audience? Was it all at once, or was there a slow and steady buildup?

I would say it was a slow and steady build. A large part of that was because we had a very close-knit, friendly, and fun community that has slowly snowballed over time. Then, we did things like a post-mortem, where we could actually talk directly to the audience and get feedback on the show. We continue to do that at Watcher with Ghost Files Debrief.

You and Shane Madej have been making ghost and unsolved content for years. How are you keeping things fresh while still honoring what fans love?

For a second, I thought you said me and Shane have been making ghosts.

Yeah, you guys have been making up ghosts for years.

No, I thought you meant we were, like, making ghosts from scratch, killing people, yeah? Which I didn't realize I was out there.

Well, it's now breaking news at Mashable.

But sorry, what was the question?

You guys have been making this content for years. How are you keeping it fresh?

I mean, that's always the tough thing. As a content creator, if you have a format or a show that really catches on there, you do still have to change it up.

Even this next season of Ghost Files, we're trying to do that, scaling it down, trying to make it a little bit more isolated and personal feeling. You just take the feedback from the audience and do what you can, while still trying to honor what you're trying to do. It's a fun puzzle to figure out.

Have you experienced significant slumps in content creation? How have you overcome that?

For every content creator, especially anybody who works on the internet, there is a burnout that comes with it. There's the mental treadmill of a weekly release on YouTube, and that comes with the territory — a small price to pay for an otherwise pretty fun, rewarding life.

Anytime there has been a slump, I come back to the audience. Sometimes people come up to me on the street and they'll say how much our very silly ghost hunting show helped them get through a very tough time in their life, and that means a lot to me. And the bonus is that I actually enjoy doing the content as well. But the support of the fan base is one of the things that helps you pull through.

And do you have any advice for creators who are just at the start of their careers?

Just keep making things. The biggest hindrance for me was getting a little too precious at times. Just be a little bit more open to making mistakes and figuring things out on the fly because that's where you figure out your voice. If you try and make everything immaculate and very planned out, you stifle that accidental creativity. Leave room for moments of inspiration, and the best thing to do is just keep trying it and doing it.

TL;DR: Let AI whip up professional-quality headshots from selfies with ResumePhoto AI Professional Headshots Ultimate Package, now for only $34.99 (reg. $49).

We all know first impressions are important. If you’re applying for a job or sprucing up your LinkedIn profile, be sure to leave a great impression with a professional headshot. And now, thanks to the power of AI, you don’t even have to put on lipstick or rock a tie.

With ResumePhoto, all you need is a selfie to create gorgeous headshots, and right now, a subscription to the Ultimate Package is just $34.99 (reg. $49).

This AI-powered tool creates headshots that look like the real deal

It’s 2025 — you no longer have to get professional headshots taken. Just ditch your hat and sunglasses and take eight or more well-lit selfies, and ResumePhoto can create stunning professional-quality photos in five minutes.

There’s no need to get all dolled up; you’ll be able to select your outfit, background, and style, and AI will take over the rest. This Ultimate Package gives you up to 120 AI-generated, realistic-looking, office-ready pictures in six different styles. And you’ll have complete commercial rights to all of them.

ResumePhoto is compatible with desktop computers, tablets, laptops, and smartphones, so you can use it on any device that has internet access. You can also rest easy knowing that your data will be encrypted, and all uploaded photos and generated headshots will be deleted after 30 days.

Create gorgeous headshots with ResumePhoto AI Professional Headshots Ultimate Package, now just $34.99 (reg. $49).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Resoume ResumePhoto AI Professional Headshots: Ultimate Package $34.99
$49 Save $14.01 Get Deal

TL:DR: Secretly record video with this fully functional pen, the iSpyPen Pro X, now for just $149.99 (reg. $199).

Ever wanted to record something without making it obvious? The iSpyPen Pro X has got you covered — it looks like a regular fancy pen, but it can secretly record HD video and audio. And right now, you can add one to your super spy kit for just $149.99 (reg. $199.99).

This pen doubles as your private recording device

Whether you want to have a record of an important meeting or you’re trying to record an interaction without drawing attention, the iSpyPen Pro X is ready to help you stealthily record audio and video with just one click.

The iSpyPen Pro X is a fully functional pen, complete with replaceable rollerball ink. But it holds a really cool secret — it has a hidden HD camera that can record 2K video and a built-in microphone that captures crystal-clear audio.

You can channel your inner James Bond as you record up to 75 minutes of content on a single charge. If you need to record more, you can buy an optional portable battery that extends your recording time to four hours.

There is no memory card to install, as the iSpyPen Pro X is equipped with 64GB of storage that can hold up to 24 hours of video footage. When you’re ready to watch it all, just twist off the cap and plug the pen directly into your computer. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and more.

Add the iSpyPen Pro X to your spy kit for just $149.99 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: iSpyPen iSpyPen Pro X 2K HD Recording Camera Pen $149.99
$199 Save $49.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: My Notes AI gives you lifetime access to unlimited transcription, summarization, and meeting recording tools for $39.99—no subscription required.

Still scribbling notes like it’s the ’90s? It’s 2025, and we can now let AI handle the heavy lifting. My Notes AI Pro can serve as your personal note-taking assistant forever with this lifetime subscription to its Pro Plan, now just $39.99 (reg. $299).

Bring your note-taking into the 21st century

Your brain has enough to juggle. Let AI help you stay on track with My Notes AI. From video calls to in-person meetings, this app transcribes and summarizes everything so you can stay present without missing a detail. It works for Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams meetings, and you can even upload an audio file afterward. 

You can stop trying to decipher your chicken scratch thanks to this powerful tool. It takes notes, turns transcriptions into helpful summaries, and even breaks them down into specific action items, so you can save time and effort.

If you need to share notes with a classmate or colleague, exporting transcriptions is just a few clicks away. And you can use My Notes AI’s organization tools to sort notes by topic, date, or project for quick, easy access.

My Notes AI may utilize intimidating AI technology, but the actual app is easy to use, featuring an intuitive interface that you can take advantage of on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. And once you’re a pro, you can go on to unlock premium features like unlimited transcription, meeting recordings, instant AI summaries, and even more organizational tools. 

Let My Notes AI tackle all your note-taking needs from now on for $39.99 (reg. $299) with this lifetime subscription.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: My Notes AI My Notes AI Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription - AI Note Transcriber & Summarizer $39.99
$299 Save $259.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get a PDF Expert for Mac lifetime license for $79.97 (reg. $139.99) through June 30 — edit, annotate, convert, OCR, and sign PDFs without paying monthly.

There’s nothing wrong with Adobe Acrobat…until you realize you’re paying for it constantly when you really only edit a couple of PDFs each month. If you want a program you can own with a one-time payment, check out this Adobe Acrobat alternative. The features are nearly identical, except it’s $79.97 for life (reg. $139.99) — even if you upgrade your Mac.

More about PDF Expert

• Edit PDFs with ease: Fix typos, add images, and adjust formatting directly within your PDFs.

• Annotate and review efficiently: Highlight key points, add comments, and use custom stamps for streamlined collaboration.

• Convert between formats: Seamlessly convert PDFs to and from various file types, including Word, Excel, and images.

• Fill and sign forms: Complete interactive forms, add electronic signatures, and redact sensitive information with ease.

• Make scans searchable: Use OCR to convert scanned documents into editable and searchable PDFs.

Get a PDF editor with no monthly fees for your Mac, now $79.97 through June 30 (reg. $139.99). No coupon is needed to get this price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Readdle PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac) $79.97
$139.99 Save $60.02 Get Deal

In a year where "budget" phones are pushing $600 and AI is stuffed into just about everything short of your charging brick, finding real value in the smartphone market is harder than ever. But it's not impossible. Whether you're looking for a scaled-back flagship, a surprisingly polished mid-range Android, or just a reliable daily driver that doesn’t feel like a burner phone, 2025 has already delivered a handful of standouts.

These are the best budget smartphones we’ve seen so far — smart, capable, and (relatively) affordable.

Ranked in no particular order, of course. Also, find out why you should always hide your phone screen when you're not using it and the rudest thing you can do with your smartphone, according to this new survey.

1. Google Pixel 9a — $499 The Google Pixel 9a in its Iris variant. Credit: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images

If you’re trying to stretch $500 as far as it can go in the smartphone world, the Pixel 9a is the one to get. Mashable's Alex Perry called it "the budget smartphone to beat in 2025," and that title feels fully earned. While it’s not flashy, it delivers across the board— from performance to battery life — and even makes its pricier sibling, the Pixel 9, look unnecessary by comparison.

For starters, it runs on the same Tensor G4 chip as the Pixel 9, meaning you’re getting flagship-grade performance at a midrange price. With 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (256GB available for $100 more), the 9a handles everyday tasks smoothly, with almost no slowdowns — even while multitasking or watching videos. It does get a little warm without a case, but never to an alarming degree.

Camera performance is solid for its class. The Pixel 9a sports a 48MP main lens and a 13MP ultra-wide on the back, plus a 13MP front camera. While it doesn’t match the hardware on the Pixel 9, Google’s computational photography still does a lot of heavy lifting. Night Sight delivers excellent low-light shots, and the addition of Macro Focus is a welcome touch, though it's oddly hidden in the UI. You also get up to 8x digital zoom and the usual portrait mode bokeh.

Rounding it all out are built-in Gemini AI features like Circle to Search and Gemini Live. If AI bells and whistles matter to you, they’re here. If they don’t, they’re easy to ignore.

At $499, the Pixel 9a is the budget phone. Whether you’re Android-curious or just want flagship performance without the flagship price, this is the smart choice in 2025.

Google Pixel 9a $499 at Google Store
Shop Now 2. iPhone 16e — $599 You bascially can't tell the difference. Credit: Nano Calvo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Apple’s entry-level iPhone finally got a seat at the grown-up table. That's according to Mashable's Stan Schroeder who believes the iPhone 16e is no longer an afterthought like the discontinued SE. It’s a proper iPhone 16 sibling, with nearly all the essentials, a modern design, and one of the best battery performances in Apple’s entire 2025 lineup. At $599, it’s only $100 more than the Pixel 9a and delivers a remarkably full-featured iOS experience for the price.

The 16e comes equipped with Apple’s A18 chip — the same silicon powering the standard iPhone 16 — and 8GB of RAM, giving it nearly identical day-to-day performance. From multitasking to gaming, the phone feels fast and responsive. And while it doesn’t include the 120Hz ProMotion display or the Dynamic Island, it does have a 6.1-inch OLED screen that looks and feels modern, far removed from the outdated aesthetic of the SE it replaces.

The biggest drawbacks here are the lack of MagSafe support — so accessories like the Apple Wallet won’t snap on magnetically —and a price that’s significantly higher than the now-retired iPhone SE. Still, the 16e is fully future-proofed with Apple Intelligence support, USB-C, and enough power to stay relevant for a long time.

If you're locked into the Apple ecosystem and want a phone that doesn’t feel like a compromise, the iPhone 16e delivers the essentials. It may be the cheapest iPhone on the market now, but it doesn’t feel cheap at all.

Apple iPhone 16e $599 at Apple.com
Shop Now 3. Samsung Galaxy A16 5G — $199.99

If sub-$600 phones still feel too steep, Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G is the kind of under-$200 steal that proves you don’t have to spend big for a solid Android experience. Sometimes going for even less on Amazon, the A16 5G punches way above its weight with smooth performance, decent cameras, and a long six-year support window — all for just $199. As PCMag’s Iyaz Akhtar put it, it offers "a winning blend of performance, durability, and support," making it the best Android phone you can get at this price.

Its plastic build and large size are easy trade-offs for what you get: a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, splash-proof durability, and surprisingly good photos for a budget phone. It's not built for gaming, but for everyday essentials, the Galaxy A16 5G is a certified budget champ.

Samsung Galaxy A16 5G smartphone, Unlocked, 4GB RAM, 128GB Storage $174.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $25 Shop Now 4. OnePlus 13R — $599.99 A OnePlus 13, but they look virtually the same. Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

If you're looking to step outside the Apple and Samsung ecosystems for a moment, the OnePlus 13R makes a pretty compelling case. This midrange option from OnePlus, the more affordable sibling to the OnePlus 13, is a sleeper hit, impressively polished for its price point. PCMag’s Sarah Lord dubbed it “an impressive midrange Android phone,” and while that may sound, in a sense, backhanded, in the context of today’s overcrowded market of lookalike budget phones, it’s actually a standout.

The OnePlus 13R delivers exceptional battery life, thanks to its massive 6,000mAh battery that clocked over 25 hours of video playback in PCMag's testing, putting it ahead of many premium devices. It also features a sharp and vibrant 6.78-inch AMOLED display that supports adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and boasts 4,500 nits of peak brightness, making it ideal for outdoor use.

Performance is another strong suit. The phone runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, providing a fast, smooth experience whether you're gaming or juggling multiple apps. It also includes rapid 55W wired charging, which brings the battery to full in under an hour, though the lack of wireless charging is a minor downside.

Still, for $599, the OnePlus 13R strikes a great balance of performance, design, and endurance. If battery life and screen quality are your top priorities and you can live without wireless charging or waterproofing, it’s another midrange phone standout of 2025.

OnePlus 13R, Unlocked, 12GB RAM, 256GB Storage $599.99 at Amazon
Shop Now 5. Moto G Power (2024) — $299.99

Rounding out the list is a phone that technically came out in early 2024, but it still earns its place here because its 2025 follow-up didn’t move the needle. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) remains one of the most well-balanced phones you can buy under $300, making it a sleeper hit for budget-conscious shoppers. As PCMag's Lord put it, the phone offers “solid performance, wireless charging, and strong battery life at a wallet-friendly price.”

For just $299, you get a smooth 6.7-inch 120Hz LCD display, surprisingly capable day-to-day performance from MediaTek’s Dimensity 7020 chip, and one of the few phones in this price range that supports wireless charging. Battery life is reliably strong, easily pushing through a full day of use with power to spare.

Of course, the price tag comes with trade-offs. The cameras are serviceable but unremarkable, the rear panel picks up dust and pet hair like a magnet, and the phone comes loaded with a fair bit of bloatware. Still, if your budget is tight and you just want something that works—and works well—the Moto G Power 5G (2024) is still tough to beat.

Moto G Power 5G | 2024 | Unlocked | Made for US 8+128GB | 50MP Camera | Pale Lilac $209.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $90 See It Honorable Mention: Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro — $279 Credit: Nothing

We've said it before: 2025 is the year of thin phones, and the CMF Phone 2 Pro is Nothing's thinnest and lightest smartphone yet. Part of the Nothing budget line, the CMF Phone 2 Pro was just released in May, and we're leaving it as an honorable mention until we have a chance to test it properly. Plus, it's only available in the United States if you're part of the Nothing beta program, which is a bummer for fans of cheap phones.

As we noted when Nothing first unveiled this phone, it comes with some modular accessories, making it the perfect phone for DIY fans. Using a teensy little screwdriver, you can attach (and unattach) accessories, including fisheye and macro lenses, a case, a lanyard, and a kickstand-wallet combo. Inside, you'll find a sixth-gen MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G processor, and on the outside a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display.

If you're looking for an Android phone under $300, it's one of the few options that still offers some cool factor.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro $279 at Nothing
Shop Now

SAVE $300: As of June 24, the Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni is on sale for $399.398 at Amazon. That's a 40% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni Robot Vacuum $399.98 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $300.01 Get Deal

With Prime Day just a couple of weeks away, we can soon expect to see a plethora of discounts rolling in on robot vacuums, and honestly, we're not mad about it. We're big fans of robot vacuums here at Mashable, especially those with a hefty discount.

If you can't wait for the official event to kick off, don't worry, we've already found a fantastic deal on the Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni that you're sure to love.

SEE ALSO: Has the best Prime Day earbuds deal already dropped? Get the Soundcore P30i for under $30.

As of June 24, this stacked robot vacuum is at its lowest-ever price, now just $399.98. This deal saves you a whopping $300. And this model really does a whole lot of everything. It sucks up dirt, it mops, and it even dries your floors.

It’s seriously powerful too, so don't worry about it missing any mess. It has 10,000Pa of suction, and for mopping, the dual OZMO Turbo system uses rotating pads and consistent pressure to mimic scrubbing by hand. The TruEdge tech takes care of edges and corners precisely, while the mop lifts automatically when carpets are detected. It even uses fancy navigational tools to work its way around your home, avoiding any obstacles like tables or walls.

For battery life, expect 200 minutes of runtime, and for maintenance, basically sit back and relax thanks to the long-lasting filter system and the 2.6 litre dust bag that lasts up to 75 days. Controls are simple too; adjust settings in the Ecovacs app, and you can even control it from your Apple Watch.

Grab this great robot vacuum deal from Amazon.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

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

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

SAVE OVER $20: As of June 24, Soundcore P30i headphones are on sale for $28.49 at Amazon. That's a 43% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore P30i Earbuds $28.49 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $21.50 Get Deal

Prime Day has officially been announced for 2025, and good news: there's not long to wait. In just two weeks, the masses of discounts and sales will be upon us, but if you're looking for great deals right now, look no further than this fantastic deal on the Soundcore P30i earbuds. As of June 24, you can take home these impressive earbuds for just $28.49.

This deal is specific to the black earbuds; however, for 50 cents more, you can browse a selection of colors.

SEE ALSO: Early Prime Day book deals: Save up to 80% on hardcovers, paperbacks, and Kindle editions

These headphones are the ideal set for listening and watching on the go. The charging case doubles as a handy phone stand, so you can catch up on your favourite shows hands-free. How cool is that?

Noise cancelation is impressive as well, cutting down external sound by up to 42dB and adjusting automatically to your surroundings. When you want to be more aware of your surroundings, there's a transparency mode that lets in ambient noise. You’ll get up to 10 hours of listening (or six with ANC on), and a full 45 hours with the case. Heading out the door in a rush? A quick 10-minute charge will give you an extra two hours.

Head to Amazon to grab this latest Soundcore deal ahead of Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

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

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

Zach Cregger's Weapons is one of the summer movies we're most excited about, and the most recent trailer has done nothing to change that.

Set in a town where an entire class of school children – except one – goes missing on the same night at the exact same time, the latest trailer deepens the mystery as to what might have happened to them. Could that shot of the weird bell ringing right at the end be a clue?

Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, with Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan star in the new horror/mystery from the writer/director of Barbarian.

Weapons opens in theaters Aug. 8.

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 Tuesday, June 24, 2025:

AcrossTraditional meat for shawarma

• The answer is Lamb.

Brainstorm outputs

• The answer is Ideas.

Cunningly sidestep, as a difficult question

• The answer is Dodge.

Marketing pitch

• The answer is Spiel.

12-ounce size at Starbucks

• The answer is Tall.

DownPot heads?

• The answer is Lids.

Bring home from a shelter, maybe

• The answer is Adopt.

___ darling (one getting favorable news coverage)

• The answer is Media.

Breakfast item with cream cheese

• The answer is Bagel.

What bears do in a bear market

• The answer is Sell.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

U.S. House of Representatives staff have reportedly been banned from using WhatsApp. Axios reports that the House's chief administrative officer informed employees on Monday that Meta's messaging app is now prohibited, citing security concerns.

SEE ALSO: Here's why you're about to see more ads on WhatsApp

"The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high-risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks involved with its use," the chief administrative officer wrote in an email sighted by Axios.

As such, House staff are now prohibited from having WhatsApp on any government device, or even accessing its browser version on such devices. Instead, they're being directed to alternatives such as Signal, Microsoft Teams, Amazon's Wickr, or Apple's iMessage and FaceTime.

Responding to the issue on X, Meta's communications director Andy Stone refuted such security concerns, claiming that members of the House and Senate both regularly use WhatApp.

"Messages on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default, meaning only the recipients and not even WhatsApp can see them," Stone wrote. "This is a higher level of security than most of the apps on the CAO's approved list that do not offer that protection."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

End-to-end encryption is a security measure which scrambles messages so they can only be deciphered by your intended recipient. Signal's end-to-end encryption is always enabled, which has helped it earn its reputation for being focused on privacy. iMessage, FaceTime and Wickr also appear to have this encryption on by default. The exception is Microsoft Teams, as users must enable its end-to-end encryption.

When reached for comment by Mashable, Meta reiterated Stone's statement.

Security concerns regarding apps used by government employees are nothing new. States such as New York and Texas have previously banned DeepSeek's AI app from government devices in several, while TikTok was banned from all federal devices in early 2023.

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: Top of the org chart

• Green: Teams in the Sunshine State

• Blue: Minor league teams

• Purple: As seen on ESPN

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: Heads of an Organization

• Green: Florida College Teams

• Blue: Triple-A Baseball Teams

• Purple: Last Words of ESPN Shows

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 #274 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Heads of an Organization - BRASS, LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, TEAM OFFICIALS

• Florida College Teams - BULLS, GATORS, HURRICANES, SEMINOLES

• Triple-A Baseball Teams - BATS, RAILRIDERS, SOUNDS, TIDES

• Last Words of ESPN Shows - HORN, INTERRUPTION, TAKE, 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 today's Connections.

Curious about how visible the moon will be tonight? Look no further for all the information you need, including where it is on the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight phases of the moon's visibility, based on how much light the sun shines on it. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

Here's what the moon is doing today, June 24, 2025.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, June 24, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. In this phase, the moon is hardly lit. In fact, NASA tells us only 1% of the moon's surface will be visible to us.

Today also marks the 28th day of the lunar cycle. With so little of the moon lit up, the chances of spotting basins and craters are much less. For tonight, NASA tells us that we won't be able to see anything on the moon's surface, even if you have binoculars or a telescope.

When is the next full moon?

June's full moon was on June 11. The next full moon will be on July 10. 

What are moon phases?

Moon phases are part of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, NASA tells us, caused by the angles between the sun, moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. So, sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes not there at all. 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.