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SAVE $440: Snag the Lefant M3 Robot Vacuum and Mop for just $359.99 at Amazon — that’s 55% off and the best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lefant Lefant M3 Robot Vacuum $359.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $440 Get Deal

For those seeking a genuinely smart robot vacuum that doesn’t just clean, but does everything, the Lefant M3 might be one of the best options for finally replacing your mop, broom, and duster — and it has never been more affordable.

As of July 28, Amazon has slashed the price of the Lefant M3 robot vacuum and mop to just $359.99, a steep 55% discount from its usual $799.99. According to camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest-ever price for this popular model.

As for what makes the M3 stand out in a market full of robo-cleaners — for starters, 12,000Pa of suction means it doesn’t mess around with dust, pet hair, or even deep-seated debris in carpet fibres. It also mops, and not just lightly. Its dual spinning mops clean edge-to-edge and even wash and dry themselves back at the base station with 113°F hot water.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 25+ robot vacuums. Here are 6 I'd actually recommend buying in 2025.

Throw in self-emptying, self-refilling, and a detergent dispensing system, and Lefant offers you a device that practically takes care of itself for up to eight weeks — before needing to step in to eventually empty the docking station’s bin and refill its water tank.

Pet owners will appreciate the tangle-free brush design, while tech enthusiasts should love the LiDAR mapping, voice control, app-based customisation, and multi-floor memory. It even supports 5G WiFi for a smoother connection.

At just under $360, it’s a rare moment when cutting-edge cleaning tech drops into “treat yourself” territory. But like all limited-time Amazon deals, this price won’t stick around — so if your floors (or your back) could use a break, now’s the time to pounce.

For more options, take a look at Mashable’s list of the 25 best tested robot vacuums.

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 Monday, July 28, 2025:

AcrossCourtroom prosecutors, for short

• The answer is DAs.

Fails to mention

• The answer is Omits.

Finished the season on a hot streak

• The answer is Won Out.

Subtle distinction

• The answer is Nuance.

See 1-Down

• The answer is Right.

DownWith 10-Across, completely and utterly

• The answer is Down.

Love, in French

• The answer is Amour.

Mount where Moses received the Ten Commandments

• The answer is Sinai.

Grab from the grill with a gripper

• The answer is Tong.

"There's no ___ thing!"

• The answer is Such.

Vietnamese New Year

• The answer is Tet.

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.

SAVE $100: As of July 28, the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) is on sale for $299 at Amazon. This is $100 off its list price of $399.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100 Get Deal

Rumors of an Apple Watch Series 11 may be floating around, but if you don't want to wait to get one of Apple's sleek smartwatches right now, we come with good news. The Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) has received a $100 price drop at Amazon, making now a great time to grab it for less.

This has brought the price of the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) down to under $300, saving you 25% on list price. Keep in mind this discount only applies to the jet black model right now. This price is also only $20 away from its Prime Day price of $279.

SEE ALSO: Should you upgrade to the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro? A runner's take.

We consider the Apple Watch Series 10 to be the best smartwatch fitness tracker in our roundup of the best fitness trackers. It boasts a bigger display than its predecessors with a lighter design for your wrist. It also comes packed with features, including sleep tracking, heart rate tracking, metrics for respiratory rate, advanced metrics for various workouts, and Activity Rings to keep an eye on your daily activity goals.

On top of that, you'll get safety features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS alongside a sturdy build that's water resistant up to 50 meters, crack resistant, and IP6X-certified dust resistant.

If you've had your eye on the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm), now is your chance to pick it up and save $100. Looking for more Apple deals? Right now, you can also save on the AirPods Max.

SAVE $140: As of July 28, the Dyson Airstrait (refurbished) on sale for $259.99 at Walmart. This deal saves you 35% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airstrait $259.99 at Walmart
$399.99 Save $140 Get Deal

Looking for a new Dyson hair styling product but don't want to pay full price? Don't worry, Walmart has you sorted with this latest deal on the Dyson Airstrait. The catch is that we're talking about a refurbished product here.

As of July 28, these straighteners are $140 off, now priced at just $259.99. The only color option in stock at the time of writing is black.

SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Dyson: Which cordless vacuum should you get?

And don't be put off by the "refurbished" stamp; this product has gone through thorough testing to ensure it's fit for purpose. According to Walmart, it has been professionally inspected, tested, and cleaned by a performance-managed seller or supplier. It comes with a one-year guarantee, too.

The Airstrait is a fantastic tool for both straightening and drying hair. Long gone are the days of blow drying your hair and then straightening; this device does both at the same time. It uses high-pressure airflow instead of hot plates, so it minimizes the heat damage to your hair.

It's suitable for all hair types, and it gives you the choice of 'wet' and 'dry' modes with multiple heat and speed settings.

Head to Walmart to snap up this great deal on a top straightener.

Fresh off the release of the Nothing Phone (3) and Nothing Headphones (1), UK-based tech startup Nothing just launched a new smartwatch — and it's already a strong contender for best budget smartwatch and fitness tracker of the year. Say hello to the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro — a sleek and affordable smartwatch "designed for everyday users and casual fitness explorers."

The CMF Watch 3 Pro is already on sale at Nothing and Amazon. Nothing lists the retail price at $99 and offers a $20 discount, and now Amazon has matched that price. It's worth noting that not all colorways are still available at Amazon. So you might need to act fast to secure this low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20 Get Deal An AI-powered smartwatch for under $100

Nothing is known for its distinctive-looking products that deliver flagship-like experiences for less, but the Watch 3 Pro's design isn't too far off the wall. It's sleek and relatively subtle, with slim bezels, a round watch face, and a soft silicone band. It does offer over 120 custom watch faces, including video, photo, and AI-generated options through Watch Face Studio, so you can personalize it to match your style.

Feature-wise, the Watch 3 Pro has enough features to double as a fitness tracker. Andrew Freshwater, Head of Smart Products Marketing at Nothing, says it's designed to be the "perfect starting point for anyone beginning their health and fitness journey."

Credit: Nothing Left: Credit: Nothing Right: Credit: Nothing

The Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro also gets a boost from AI. In addition to the AI-generated watch faces, this smartwatch has direct ChatGPT integration. Using natural voice prompts, wearers can ask the AI chatbot questions or set reminders, for starters. It even acts as a voice recorder, which will auto-transcribe conversations or notes.

SEE ALSO: I've tested a lot of smartwatches, but the Versa 4 is the only Fitbit I'd recommend

For athletes, it packs a dual-band five-system GPS setup, which makes for precise location tracking on hikes, rides, and runs, as well as a four-channel heart rate sensor, which makes for accurate readings while you work out. Other features include:

• 130 activity modes to choose from

• A 13-day battery life

• Blood oxygen monitoring

• Stress tracking

• Women's health support

• Guided breathing exercises

While we haven't had a chance to test this new smartwatch yet, it looks like it offers a lot of value at $99. And on sale for $79, it sounds like a steal.

Where to order the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro Buy at Amazon Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $79 (save $20) Get Deal Buy at Nothing Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $79 (save $20) Get Deal

SAVE $50: As of July 28, the iRobot Roomba Q0120 is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Q0120 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50 Get Deal

If you're looking for a reliable robot vacuum for under $200, look no further than the iRobot Roomba Q0120, now on sale at Amazon. If you've been shopping around for something for a while, the name Roomba won't be new to you. As of July 28, this popular model is now $50 off.

This model has a three-stage cleaning system that delivers customizable suction for carpets and hard floors. It comes with smart navigation that cleans in neat rows, dodges furniture, and steers clear of stairs or any other obstacles in your house. And for those hard-to-reach corners and edges, the Edge-Sweeping Brush won't miss any dust buildup. A real steal for under $200.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

And it's all controlled from the iRobot Home App. You can do things like schedule cleans while you're away from home, check to see where it has cleaned, and more. And with up to 120 minutes of cleaning on a single charge, if it doesn't manage your whole house in one go, it'll return itself to the charging station to reboot.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so if you don't want to miss out, move fast.

TL;DR: Grab lifetime access to 50TB of ultra-private, open-source, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Internxt for $799.99 (reg. $7,900).

Why does it feel like most cloud storage plans give you just enough space to get comfortable, then hit you with monthly fees and surprise limits? Not this time.

If you’re looking to make one smart move for your long-term digital sanity, Internxt is offering lifetime access to 50TB of fully private, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage for just $799.99 (regularly $7,900). That’s one payment. Forever. No subscriptions. No bait-and-switch.

This isn’t your average cloud provider either. Internxt is 100 percent open-source, zero-knowledge, and GDPR-compliant, meaning your files are yours and yours alone. No one — not even Internxt — can access them. Every file is encrypted, fragmented, and spread across a secure network so your data is locked down like Fort Knox.

And yes, 50TB is a LOT of storage. It’s enough space for your full creative archive, business docs, raw video footage, family backups, app data — whatever digital world you’re building. Whether you’re a content creator, entrepreneur, designer, developer, or just a privacy-minded human being, this plan future-proofs your entire file system in one shot.

You can access your storage from any device: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, or browser. The interface is clean and intuitive, with fast sync and sharing tools that work without compromising your privacy. And it even includes Post-Quantum Encryption, so your files are protected against whatever computing power the future throws our way.

The only catch? This deal is for new Internxt users only, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. But if you’re serious about digital organization, privacy, and cutting ties with monthly cloud bills, this 50TB plan is the power move.

Because storing your entire digital life shouldn’t mean handing over the keys — or your credit card — every month.

Get lifetime access to 50TB of Internxt Cloud Storage while it’s just $799.99 (reg. $7,900).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $799.99
$7,900 Save $7,100.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get a lifetime license to SwifDoo PDF Pro for Windows for just $29.97 (reg. $129). Edit, convert, sign, compress, and batch-process PDFs forever.

Opens in a new window Credit: SwifDoo SwifDoo PDF Pro: Perpetual Lifetime License for Windows $29.97
$129 Save $99.03 Get Deal

Wrestling with a PDF that won’t let you edit, highlight, or even copy text without a fight is an unfortunate right of digital passage. So is spending half an hour Googling “free PDF to Word converter” only to land on a sketchy website asking for your credit card. No, thanks.

The SwifDoo PDF Pro tool is a one-and-done solution to your PDF woes. For just $29.97, you’ll get lifetime access to a full-featured PDF toolkit for Windows — no subscriptions, no recurring charges, just pure productivity.

SwifDoo was made to do it all. Edit text, annotate pages, add images, merge and split documents, insert digital signatures, compress file sizes, and convert to and from Word, Excel, JPG, CAD, EPUB, and more. Oh, and did we mention it comes with OCR (Optical Character Recognition)? That means you can scan PDFs or images and turn them into fully editable, searchable documents in just a few clicks.

This isn’t just useful for in-office life — it’s a huge help for freelancers, students, small business owners, or anyone trying to stay organized without getting overwhelmed by bloated apps and subscriptions.

Batch-processing? It’s there. Watermarking and encryption? Yup. Printing PDFs as booklets or double-sided with comments? Also yes. Basically, SwifDoo checks off every PDF feature you’ve ever wanted — and a bunch you didn’t know you needed.

The best part? You pay once, and you’re done. For less than $30, you can finally ditch the patchwork of PDF tools and streamline your entire document workflow with one intuitive, full-featured app.

Your digital life can instantly become a lot easier.

Get lifetime access to SwifDoo PDF Pro for just $29.97 (reg. $129) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Master new languages from your smartphone with this lifetime subscription to Mondly, now just $89.99 (reg. $299.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Mondly Mondly Premium: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $89.99
$299.99 Save $210 Get Deal

Planning a big trip? If you want to speak the language, there’s an app that can help. Mondly comes packed with 41 different language options, allowing you to learn on the go. And right now, you can get a lifetime subscription for just $89.99 (reg. $299.99) — less than $3 a language.

This app offers award-winning language lessons for life

Learning a new language before your next getaway doesn’t have to feel like work. Mondly by Pearson lets you fit learning into your busy schedule, and even makes it fun via interactive lessons, real-life conversations, and smart technology.

Named App of the Year by Facebook, an Apps We Love selection by the App Store, and an Editors’ Choice from Google Play, Mondly comes highly acclaimed. Over 140 million users are already taking advantage of this powerful app. It’s compatible with iOS, Android, PC, and Mac, and can teach you French, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, and more in your native language.

Hop in as a beginner, intermediate, or advanced learner in any of the 41 languages, and Mondly has options tailored to your level. There are over 2,500 daily lessons, weekly quizzes, and monthly challenges ready to test your skills. There are even hands-free options so you can learn as you walk, cook, or chill out.

Want to focus on conversation you’ll actually use? There are also more than 300 bite-sized lessons on travel, family, food, sports, and more. Mondly even offers an interactive chatbot powered by smart speech recognition to help you practice conversations.

Learn up to 41 languages at your own pace with a lifetime subscription to Mondly, now just $89.99 (reg. $299.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Give your little ones a calmer screen time option with a lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, now for just $59.99 (reg. $250).

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$250 Save $190.01 Get Deal

When it comes to kids and screen time, choosing a safe option can be stressful. If you’re looking for an app that won’t overstimulate while simultaneously teaching your child, it’s time to check out Pok Pok. Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to this Montessori-inspired app for just $59.99 (reg. $250).

This low-stimulation kids’ app teaches STEM, problem-solving, and more

If you’re looking for a gentle way to introduce your children to screen time, Pok Pok can help. Unlike most brightly colored children’s apps on the market, this one features hand-drawn animation and in-house-made, calming, low-stimulation sound effects.

This app is packed with award-winning educational games that provide a foundation in topics like STEM, numbers, cause and effect, problem-solving, and language. It takes a Montessori-inspired, child-centered approach, with an emphasis on exploration, problem-solving, and self-paced learning for kids ages 2 to 8.

Pok Pok has been designed to grow with your kids through open-ended play. And you can rest easy while they use the app, because Pok Pok is COPPA-certified, which means there are no ads that attempt to trick kids into purchasing things. Prefer your child stays off the internet? Pok Pok is also available for offline play.

Your lifetime subscription gives your children access to unlimited learning games and regular updates with regular seasonal and cultural content additions to keep things fresh. You’ll also receive an exclusive gift mailed to you with purchase.

Give your kids an app you won’t mind them playing with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, now only $59.99 (reg. $250).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro for only $14.97 (reg. $199) before codes sell out.

If you haven't heard already, Microsoft has officially announced the countdown clock on Windows 10. Are you still running your PC on this dated operating system? Now might be the perfect time to finally upgrade your device's performance, because the latest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, is now less than $15 until the end of today. However, codes are limited.

With these Windows 11 Pro keys, you can completely revamp two compatible PCs, whether they're your personal or work computers. For starters, you'll enjoy a refreshed user interface that's been designed to be intuitive and aesthetically pleasing with rounded corners.

This updated operating system provides more than just an improved navigation experience. New productivity tools like snap layouts, easy redocking, and improved voice typing can help you complete personal and professional tasks, and you'll even have a more powerful search experience to get you further.

Digital safety is paramount for anyone online, which is why Windows 11 Pro is outfitted with enhanced security measures like Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, BitLocker device encryption, and more for greater peace of mind as you browse, stream, or game. And speaking of gaming, this operating system is designed to improve PC gaming graphics with DirectX12 Ultimate.

Since this is the Pro version of Windows 11, you'll additionally get remote work-friendly features, such as remote desktop access for viewing files and running programs from your mobile device. There's also Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for extra professional usage.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $14.97
$199 Save $184.03 Get Deal

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

Crooked.

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

ASKEW

Hurdle Word 2 hint

What a toilet does.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 28, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

FLUSH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Substance.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 28, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

DEPTH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Needed for Internet usage.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 28 Hurdle Word 4 answer

MODEM

Final Hurdle hint

A droid.

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

ROBOT

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

We all know the pain of untangling your headphones. It's like some ludicrous puzzle that we're forced solve every darn day. It’s the curse of owning wired headphones.

Perhaps that’s why the top audio brands have largely ditched the classic headphone jack and moved towards almost exclusive wireless listening. Well, that and the ever-evolving technology. Unsurprisingly, wireless earbuds have risen in popularity and become a must-have tech item for busy and active lifestyles.

And lifestyle is absolutely the word. Because headphones and earbuds are a lifestyle choice — there's a pair out there to suit everyone and every lifestyle. Which is great for variety but that can make it harder to choose the right pair for you. We've made it a little easier by doing the research and rounding up the very best wireless earbuds.

What are wireless earbuds?

Just like a pair of standard wired buds, these little guys fit snugly inside your ear's concha (that's the shell-shaped cavity right next to the entrance of your ear canal) and send digital audio signals through a wireless connection.

What is true wireless?

True wireless is a term you’ll come across a lot when researching and shopping for earbuds. Technically, earbuds fall into several categories. For instance, “wireless” earbuds connect to each other via a cord, while “true wireless” have no cord whatsoever — they are completely independent of each other and your device. True wireless headphones can use different types of wireless technology to transmit the sound into your ears. The most common form is Bluetooth.

With brands and listeners favouring true wireless, we’ve followed suit — all the earbuds in this roundup are true wireless.

Are earbuds better than headphones?

If portability and a lower price point appeals to you, you'll probably prefer wireless earbuds over the on-ear counterpart (wireless headphones). And luckily for you, Apple is no longer the only major brand cranking them out. From Bose to Beats, almost every audio brand has got a couple of wireless earbud offerings on the market nowadays.

Headphones are generally considered the go-to option for serious audiophiles. But there are earbuds geared towards high-quality sound that can match up to over-ear headphones at the same price point. Wireless sound quality is affected by factors such as distance and obstructions between your headphones and device, and the codec software that your headphones support.

What are Bluetooth codecs?

Codecs are algorithms that encode and decode digital audio signals. Look out for earbuds with low latency (this is the time it takes for the sound to hit your ears) and support for Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs. These are the best, most up-to-date codecs — particularly for streaming video content and keeping the image and audio in sync. This is important if you’re a Netflix nerd or have a passion for Prime.

What is noise cancellation?

Noise cancellation is another important feature in tech-savvy headphones. There are two kinds of noise cancellation — passive and active noise cancelling. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design of the headphones, which may physically block out noise. Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses a system of small microphones which pick up external sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel them out.

Earbuds tend to offer some level of passive noise cancellation because of their in-ear design. But some also have specific ANC modes, such as "transparency mode" which allow select ambient sounds to seep in. A transparency mode is especially useful when listening out for announcements at the train station or talking to colleagues — all without having to stop your music every 30 seconds.

What is spatial audio?

This is an increasingly common feature in up-to-date headphones and earbuds. This technology places sound in different locations around you for a truly immersive, three-dimensional listening experience. If you're watching a movie, for instance, the placement of different sounds can put you right in the middle of the action. Some earbuds also have spatial audio head tracking, which anticipates your head movements and adjusts the spatial audio for optimum audio at all times. Most audio brands have their own version of spatial audio. The best known version is Dolby Atmos.

What are the best wireless earbuds?

All of these options can make for a tricky decision when it comes to finding the right pair of wireless earbuds in terms of fit, style, and intended use. That's why we've done the research to bring you the best wireless earbuds featuring the latest Bluetooth technology. There should be something for everyone at every budget on this list, including popular models from top brands. All you need to do is pick a pair.

These are the best wireless earbuds in 2025.

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.

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.

Rarely does a headphone release generate massive buzz off its design alone. The Nothing Headphone (1) did just that.

Combining old-school aesthetics with modern functionality, these wireless cans currently have the undivided attention of audiophiles and hypebeasts with an affinity for stylishly crafted audio products. Well, I strongly recommend tempering expectations.

The Headphone (1) reward you with strong active noise cancellation, battery life, and sound. Nothing’s see-through design isn’t for everyone, and those who find it intriguing will either be happy or disappointed when unboxed. These headphones are also rough around the edges in certain ways.

Come see what I’m talking about.

The author wearing the Nothing Headphone (1). Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Nothing Headphone (1) wireless headphones specs and setup

The Headphone (1) have an impressive spec sheet. See for yourself.

• Speaker Driver Unit: 40mm

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40,000 Hz

• Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation

• 4-mic AI-backed environmental noise cancellation

• KEF acoustic engineering

• Bluetooth 5.3 with Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and USB-C lossless playback

• IP52 dust and water resistance

• 35 hours of battery with ANC on / 80 hours with ANC off

• 5-minute quick charging equals 5 hours of listening time (ANC off)

• Colors: Black and white

Pairing is both simple and unique. These headphones have something I’ve never seen before — a Bluetooth button discreetly hidden inside the bottom right of the right earcup. Powering on the headphones will enable pairing mode to connect to iOS/macOS or Android devices; the latter takes advantage of one-tap Google Fast Pair. 

The Nothing app (iOS/Android) grants access to a variety of personalized features, and it supports firmware updates.

SEE ALSO: Our first impression of the Nothing Headphone (1): Their price tag makes sense

Nothing developed a singular control scheme for seamless operation. All controls are placed on the right earcup. There’s an action button on the front to assign advanced functions (e.g., digital assistance, EQ preset, mic mute). The real attraction is the roller that adjusts volume by scrolling left or right. It even serves as a multifunctional button to activate listening modes and playback. Below the roller is a paddle for call management and fast forward/rewind. Everything works exceptionally well.

A meticulous, yet polarizing design

This design isn’t for everyone. On top of that, the headphones don’t look as cool as they do in press images. That doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate Nothing’s artful ingenuity.

The retro look might not be everyone's cup of tea. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Details are everything, and the Headphone (1) don’t run short of them. The clean white box on the inside has an embossed imprint of the headphones that exudes minimalist art vibes. The oval cassette tape housings evoke Sony Walkman memories, while the rectangular earcups are a nice callback to vintage home audio headphones. Small touches like the angular arms and dot imprints showcase the brand’s chic craftsmanship. IP54 certification protects the headphones from dust, sweat, and water splashing.

Unfortunately, the Headphone (1) are clunky and heavy (11.6 ounces). They clank together when the earcups are swiveled, which chips the metallic paint job over time.

SEE ALSO: Dyson’s first stand-alone headphones look like a vacuum, but sound incredible Great sound and even greater noise cancellation

The Headphone (1) aren’t going to win any audiophile awards. Nonetheless, KEF tuned the soundstage to produce a satisfying mix of lows, mids, and highs. 

Sound was mostly pleasant right out of the box. Playing with the EQ improved it. There was the option to create a sound profile by manually adjusting frequencies or select from four presets: Balanced (default), More Bass, More Treble, and Voice. More Treble offered the most stable sound. 

You'll want to adjust the EQ. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The electric guitar riff and striking drums on Green Day’s “Walking Contradiction” were impactful and put me in headbanger mode. Run the Jewels’ “ooh la la” had tremendous reverberation, highlighted by monstrous bass that extended and decayed smoothly with each sporadic snare strike. Mids and highs were decent. Ballads like Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” delivered bright and crisp vocals that were accentuated when the singer exercised her pitch range in the outro.

Android devices provided the best listening experience via LDAC. The audio codec streams music at a high bitrate and maintains the nuance from original recordings. Spotify songs sounded compressed on my MacBook Pro, but they received a hi-res boost on my OnePlus 11 and Nothing Phone (3) smartphones. The same went for all other content. Enabling the low lag mode reduces latency when watching videos. 

It’s also fantastic that the headphones support lossless playback through USB-C connection. I noticed a huge difference in clarity on Apple Music tracks when plugged into my MacBook Pro. Nothing’s spatial audio mode won’t wow you like Apple’s or Bose’s 3D audio format, but it’s acceptable if you want theater-like acoustics. 

Nothing’s real-time adaptive ANC performed better than I anticipated. The technology suppressed various sounds across the frequency spectrum. Common distractions like chatty pedestrians and household appliances went unnoticed. High-pitched sounds (e.g., crying babies, sirens, whistles) were minimized. I used Transparency mode religiously at home, specifically when cooking. The mics picked up vocals clearly and made it easy to communicate with the missus from across the room. This feature was most useful outdoors; I could hear people walking behind me and cars coming from a block away.

ANC playtime is reasonable (35 hours), though you can get more than double the battery life when turning it off (up to 80 hours). Fast charging maximizes usage: a five-minute charge generates five hours of listening time (ANC off).

Unpolished areas and other concerns

The Headphone (1) demonstrated many flaws. Connectivity was wonky in multipoint mode (audio stuttered when several feet away from my primary device). The short 3.5mm and USB-C cables weren’t practical for desktop/laptop use. Wear detection barely worked, and when it did, there was always a three-second delay. 

Another issue that must be addressed is that the headphones aren’t foldable. This makes them less convenient to carry and exposes certain parts to damage.

Are the Nothing Headphone (1) worth it?

If you’re a brand enthusiast or a fan of retro-looking headphones who wants adequate ANC and sound at an attainable price, then the Nothing Headphone (1) will suffice. Everyone else will want to consider other premium options. 

KEF’s soundstage brings depth and richness to most tracks. Playing with the EQ gets you better results, and lossless playback boosts audio performance. I’m shocked by how effective ANC is on these headphones. The technology neutralizes unwanted noise at a high level and raises ambient awareness when in transparency mode. The extra-long playtimes also come in handy when traveling. 

My controversial take is that the Headphone (1) look better as a concept than an actual release. Their appearance is nostalgically appealing, and some elements are attractive, but they don’t have the same charm in person as they do in advertisements. Factor in their shortcomings and we’re talking about a questionable investment.

Nothing Headphone (1) $299 at Amazon
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The reviews are in, and fans and critics alike are charmed by The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This MCU reboot of this repeatedly failed superhero family franchise has wowed audiences with its enchanting retro-futuristic aesthetic, truly massive Big Bad, a thought-provoking trolley problem, and plenty of star power, courtesy of Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Pedro Pascal. But you know what it's missing? A thirst-trap moment that would have been a wickedly smart re-interpretation of early-days MCU spectacle. 

Remember back when part of the MCU's standard iconography was a random thirst trap moment, usually involving its titular male hero brandishing his muscles, bare-chested? 

SEE ALSO: Does Pedro Pascal die in this? We'll tell you!

Iron Man did it in his MCU kick-off while repairing his arc reactor. Captain America showcased his supersoldier serum transformation, chiefly through his freshly plumped pecs. Thor paired no shirt with black denim when he fish-out-of-watered in his eponymous intro film. The Hulk showed off Mark Ruffalo's manly chest hair in Avengers: Age of Ultron (and its green and beefy CGI recreation over and over). Ant-Man displayed washboard abs while cleaning some slyly placed scratches. It was a thing… that abruptly went away as the sequels stacked up and the movies grew more stern. (I distinctly remember the collective disappointment when, in Captain America: Civil War, Cap tried to stop a helicopter takeoff with his bare hands, jarringly shirt-on.) 

Maybe such unabashed ogling of dangerously dehydrated, fastidiously worked-out bodies has fallen out of fashion. But there was a very simple way for the MCU to reboot its thirst traps in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. And Pedro Pascal didn't even need to go shirtless for it. He would have simply needed to unbutton a bit.

Pedro Pascal should have rolled up his sleeves in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Literally.  Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic. Credit: Jay Maidment / © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL

Why? Because it's hot. And that's not just me saying that. 

In 2015, Buzzfeed recognized the effect that rolled-up shirt sleeves have on men-lovers with a listicle with only the subhead "Because he looks sexy with his ~sleeves~ pushed back" for context. There are Reddit posts on this topic, TikTok trends bursting with thirst. Men's Health covered the sexiness of rolled-up sleeves in 2021, saying, "It signifies strength, safety, and a metaphorical unbuttoning: Here, the forearms say, is a man who's willing to get his hands dirty and put in the work." 

It's just a biological fact that for those who lust after men, a man rolling up his shirt sleeves is sexy. The why might be debated. But there's something to the idea of it giving an otherwise academic-looking guy an illicit sense of ruggedness. Think Indiana Jones (who also tapped into the sexy trope of "slutty little glasses"). Sure. This professor/adventurer is dashing in his leather jacket. But when it came to the illustrated poster of Raiders of the Lost Arc, the marketing team knew what sells: rolled-up sleeves!  

The Fantastic Four: First Steps had the perfect (but missed opportunity) for a thirst trap.  Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman. Credit: Jay Maidment / © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.

Director Matt Shakman was so close to bringing this treasured trope into his Fantastic Four reboot. There's a scene where it would have totally made sense for the brilliant Mr. Fantastic to literally roll up his sleeves as he did so metaphorically. 

In this scene, Reed Richards, dressed in a blazer, slacks, dress shirt, and tie, strides before a blank chalkboard, ready to science up a solution for how to best Galactus. Then Reed removes his blazer, presumably to show he's getting down to business. It's an effective storytelling visual, sure. But Shakman could have added some sex appeal by simply directing Pascal to roll up those dress shirt sleeves! We'd take a long shot. We'd love an insert, just a flash of forearm as Reed scribbles on the chalkboard, Pascal's face in earnest profile. It could have been simple, sexy, and sublime. 

Now, there is a scene in which Reed and Sue are talking about their options regarding saving the life of their child, and in it, Reed's sleeves are rolled up. But First Steps' doesn't make a moment of it the way it did the bare-chest reveals. It's matter-of-fact, not thirst-trapping. And yeah, given the context of this dramatic scene, that's sensible. But as this movie overall proves, there's room for levity — and horniness! — in the MCU's new wave. So more of that, please.

With Fantastic Four: First Steps, there's a path to a new MCU. It need not offer the (arguably) cheap thrills of shirtless superheroes that the early waves gave us. But it could abandon the dourness and chasteness that's made the post-snap movies such a bummer. And maybe it could start with a thirst-trapping sleeve roll?

We'll next see Pascal as Reed in Avengers: Doomsday. Maybe then would be a good time to make up for this missed opportunity? Come on, Mr. Fantastic. Do it for the girls and the gays. 

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now in theaters.

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