Technology

Some of the best games from the 80s and 90s ran on DOS, but due to architecture changes, are completely unavailable on modern operating systems. This is how I play them today, and how you can too.

I have long wished I could hide the status bar on my phone. You know, that row of icons going across the top of the screen? Well, it turns out I can, and so can you—if you also happen to have a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Just because Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk has taken a step back from the spotlight doesn’t mean DOGE — the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" — has stopped pushing its controversial tech agenda inside the federal government.

According to a report from The Washington Post, DOGE is now deploying an AI tool to help federal agencies identify and eliminate regulations en masse. Internal PowerPoint slides obtained by the Post detail what’s being called the "DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool," which claims to have flagged 100,000 of 200,000 federal rules as ripe for deletion.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk and DOGE reportedly tried to take over the U.S. Copyright Office

DOGE's goal is to build a "delete list," cutting half of all federal regulations by September 1. It’s designed to target rules no longer required by law and is reportedly being rolled out across multiple agencies — including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), where it has allegedly written "100% of deregulations," and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where it’s been used to review over 1,000 regulatory sections.

But accuracy is already an issue. Several HUD employees told the Post that the AI frequently misunderstands legal language and misidentifies rules, raising concerns about the tool’s reliability in policy decisions.

The Deregulation Decision Tool is just one of many AI-driven projects DOGE has introduced under the Trump administration. Other initiatives include an AI-first overhaul of the U.S. General Services Administration, automated monitoring of EPA communications for DEI or anti-Trump/Musk content, and using AI to write code for the Department of Veterans Affairs — a project reportedly riddled with bugs and errors.

I'm a big fan of gamified learning. That led me to try out a popular Linux learning game: OverTheWire. What started as a quick curiosity turned into hours of addictive puzzle-solving, terminal wizardry, and the kind of “aha!” moments you only get when you figure something out for real.

Millions of adults miss out on the recommended 7 to 8 hours of shut-eye every night. And over time, that sleep debt can mess with everything from your mood to your immune system. But the good news? With the right app, you can better understand your nighttime habits, pinpoint what’s hurting your sleep, and make changes that actually work.

When I started building a smart home, my Samsung Frame TV served as the hub that connected everything together. Now the brains of home is a tiny box that controls everything locally instead of relying on the cloud. It’s called Home Assistant Green, and it’s the single best investment I’ve made in my smart home.

I always felt uneasy when someone asked to see my phone, as all my private WhatsApp chats were there, wide open. Luckily, I explored a feature that allowed me to lock the entire WhatsApp app on my phone as well as on my desktop.

Everyone knows that PC airflow is important. If you don't keep your thermals low, your components might overheat. If that happens, your performance will drop. But the advice about airflow that gets repeated online often comes without any context. The truth is, a lot of airflow tips are baseless.

Have you heard people say that "all Linux is the same?" Are you unsure how two Linux distributions that share a software base can be different? Let me explain what's going on, and why developers have made so many distros.

The Porsche Taycan delivers jaw-dropping performance, blending EV speed with supercar handling and sleek sports-sedan practicality. Few cars, gas or electric, can match its combination of power, precision, and cutting-edge tech.

Replica consoles are a great way to enjoy retro gaming without dealing with aging consoles that are slowly breaking down. But of course, they're not the real thing, and there are some things to keep in mind when considering them.

If you’re in the market for a new smart TV, it can be overwhelming. There are numerous types of TVs, each with distinct features, operating systems, and specifications that make them different. But there may be a simple and better solution: buying a projector.

When I was in high school, only those in the know used Gmail instead of AOL or Yahoo, and I relished getting an invite to try out Google's approach to email. It’s a different world now, one where I feel like the odd one for not using Gmail. But it’s true—I haven’t used Gmail for years. I’ve found something better, at least for me.

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, July 27, 2025:

AcrossIn addition

• The answer is Also.

Psithurism, n. "The sound of ___ rustling through the trees"

• The answer is Wind.

Like scones and stoners

• The answer is Baked.

Retail chain with an average store size of 300,000 square feet (roughly three city blocks!)

• The answer is IKEA.

Work station

• The answer is Desk.

DownUp

• The answer is Awake.

Social media currency

• The answer is Likes.

Tiptoe around

• The answer is Sneak.

Like 2025, but not 2026

• The answer is Odd.

Contractor's offer

• The answer is Bid.

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.

Retro video games are always fun to return to, but what about movies with retro video games? I’m not talking about movies based on video games, though there are some campy exploits in films like Super Mario Bros. and Street Fighter. I’m talking about movies that made video games seem like far more than just a diversion after school.

Football is back! And while that's exciting, the NFL has cut deals with even more streaming services, and trying to watch games this year will be an absolute mess. Here's what you need to know about the 10 different channels or streaming services you'll need to watch the NFL this season.

What happens when you run a Linux command? This simple act can appear straightforward, but many different things can actually occur, depending on whether you’re running an executable program, a shell script, a shell builtin, a user-defined function, or an alias.

2025 is halfway over, and there are still plenty of movies to look forward to. There’s a spiffy new Fantastic Four film, the conclusion to Wicked, and another dose of James Cameron’s Avatar come Christmas. With so much to look forward to, it’s easy to forget the first crop of films from this year.

2025 has been a great year for foldable smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 shows just how far the technology has developed; Motorola is easing the devices into a more wallet-friendly position; and Huawei's amazing tri-fold Mate XT is pushing them in a whole new direction. Foldables are ready for prime time. All we need now is Apple to join in.

Do you remember being told to make sure you knew who you were really talking to on the internet? We’ve now entered an era where the question of what you’re talking to has become just as relevant.