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The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Dec. 8, 2025:

Across___ Mahal

• The answer is Taj.

"Everything must go!" event

• The answer is Sale.

Deadly snake with fangs that fold upward

• The answer is Viper.

Netflix crime drama set in the mountains of Missouri

• The answer is Ozark.

W, on a map

• The answer is West.

DownSpanish small plates

• The answer is Tapas

Ding on a phone, e.g.

• The answer is Alert.

Meanie face

• The answer is Jerk.

Shoebox number

• The answer is Size.

Oath

• The answer is Vow.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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.

SAVE $17.19: Pokémon TCG's Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle is down to $61.30 at TCGplayer including shipping, whilst Amazon is punching in at $78.49 in an astounding move even in this climate.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle $61.30 at TCGplayer
$78.49 Save $17.19   Get Deal

Pulling an Umbreon ex - 161/131 would be insane, not just because it's going for $1,050 right now near mint, but because pulling any chase card from Prismatic Evolution boosters is a mini nightmare. The set is jam packed with Pokéball and Masterball rares, which are pretty much reverse holo cards with a cool design. But it's mostly down to pot luck, so you very well could end up with a god pack.

If you really just want that Sunbreon artwork in your binder or on your shelf, you can pick up a Korean variant for $346.

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Everyone is focused on Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames right now, but Prismatic Evolutions has Eevee and every Eeveelution alongside epic Secret Illustration Rares of Roaring Moon ex, Ceruledge ex, and Dragapult ex. We're seeing the secondary market are undercutting big box online stores more often than not, and TCGplayer is the most trustworthy marketplace for just that.

Owned by eBay, sellers have their own reviews and feedback section, with power sellers getting the official TCGplayer recommendation. You can also see the value performance of your chosen chase card or sealed product over the last 12 months so that you're making a solid and informed purchase.

The best chase cards from Prismatic Evolutions Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

The top chase cards of Prismatic Evolutions are at some of the best prices they've ever seen right now, so here they are with that all important value information alongside a cheeky link to TCGplayer to catch one for yourself:

1. Umbreon ex - 161/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $1,050
   Market price: $1,033.59
   Most recent sale: $1,069.99

2. Sylveon ex - 156/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $311
   Market price: $326.11
   Most recent sale: $312.50

3. Leafeon ex - 144/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $254.83
   Market price: $258.76
   Most recent sale: $240

4. Glaceon ex - 150/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $189.18
   Market price: $193.56
   Most recent sale: $190

5. Vaporeon ex - 149/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $188.60
   Market price: $192.60
   Most recent sale: $188.01

SAVE $27.02: Pokémon TCG's Prismatic Evolutions Premium Figure Collection is down to $123.99 at TCGplayer, which includes shipping. Meanwhile Amazon is charging $151.01, which is fantastic if you love burning money.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Prismatic Evolutions Premium Figure Collection $123.99 at TCGplayer
$151.01 Save $27.02   Get Deal

Prismatic Evolutions is locking horns with 151 for the biggest Scarlet and Violet era Pokémon TCG Expansion, but if we're going off pure values right now, Prismatic is the most expensive set to collect. Yep, I'm talking about that Sunbreon, officially named Umbreon ex - 161/131 and going for $1,050 right now if you're seeking something minty.

If you just want the artwork on your wall and don't care about reading the card, you can pick up a Japanese card for $430 or Korean for $346. Regardless, Prismatic Evolutions is keeping up with the latest set release and first expansion, Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames respectively.

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Prismatic Evolutions has Eevee and every Eeveelution alongside some smashing Secret Illustration Rares of non-Eeveelution Pokémon in this set. Roaring Moon ex, Ceruledge ex, and Dragapult ex are just as awesome as elemental mutant foxes, especially when you consider their unique artwork.

Amazon being undercut by market sellers on TCGplayer is nothing new, and they're all rated sellers with feedback just like eBay. In fact, TCGplayer is owned by eBay, plus it's a great tool to track values of cards and sealed products over the last 12 months as it uses live market data.

The best chase cards from Prismatic Evolutions Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

No matter which way you look at Prismatic Evolutions, it's a very expensive set to collect either sealed or looking into single cards. It's also a very hard set to pull chase cards from, so the majority of the time it's going to be cheaper to buy the cards you want outright. Here's the top five including value data and links to TCGplayer to catch 'em all:

1. Umbreon ex - 161/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $1,050
   Market price: $1,033.59
   Most recent sale: $1,069.99

2. Sylveon ex - 156/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $311
   Market price: $326.11
   Most recent sale: $312.50

3. Leafeon ex - 144/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $254.83
   Market price: $258.76
   Most recent sale: $240

4. Glaceon ex - 150/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $189.18
   Market price: $193.56
   Most recent sale: $190

5. Vaporeon ex - 149/131
   Near Mint Holofoil: $188.60
   Market price: $192.60
   Most recent sale: $188.01

SAVE $16: As of Dec. 8, the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $18.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 46% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick HD $18.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal

Fire TV Sticks are one of Amazon's most famed products, and right now you can get a great deal on the HD model, currently down to under $20. As of Dec. 8, the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for just $18.99 at Amazon, a saving of $16. This is also just $1 off its best-ever price (the likes of which we saw at Black Friday and Prime Day), so it really is a cracking deal.

The Fire Stick HD is one of the most affordable in the lineup. It offers Fire OS streaming for any HD-compatible TV with an HDMI port. To get going, you plug the streaming device into your TV and connect it via the provided cable to an outlet. And that's all you need to do. When you turn your TV on (with the new Amazon remote) you will see all your apps and shows on one easy-to-use platform.

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It even comes with Alexa voice search. Use the blue Alexa button on the remote to ask questions, get movie recommendations, or crawl through different streaming services to find the show that you want. It also has compatibility with music streaming services too, including Amazon Music and Spotify, so you can listen from your TV.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

SAVE $20: As of Dec. 8, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20   Get Deal

If you've been waiting for the Fire Stick 4K Max to go back on sale, now is your time to pounce. The famed streaming device just got a $20 discount at Amazon, bringing it to its second cheapest price of the year (only slightly beaten by the recent Black Friday price). This discount brings the price down to $39.99.

The Amazon Fire Stick is always worth it, especially with a discount like this. With this specific model, not only are you getting to watch your favorite shows and movies in 4K Ultra HD, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio, but you're also getting 16GB of storage, which is double other models. So, if you plan to download lots of apps, games, and TV shows, this Fire TV Stick is the one for you.

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You can also use it to game without a console. Play Xbox games like Forza Motorsport, Starfield, Palworld, and hundreds more with the Xbox Game Pass via cloud gaming.

And it's all so easy to set up. Plug the Fire TV Stick into your TV's HDMI port and connect it to an outlet. Turn your TV on with your new, Amazon remote, and get ready to stream with the Fire OS. It couldn't be simpler. The box comes with everything you need, including batteries for the remote and an extension cable for the Fire Stick (so it can still fit even if your TV is secured tightly to the wall).

Grab this great deal from Amazon while it's still available.

SAVE $300: As of Dec. 8, the Google Pixel 9 is on sale for $499 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 9 $499 at Amazon
$799 Save $300   Get Deal

If you've been shopping around for a new smartphone, this latest Amazon deal on the Google Pixel 9 will see you taking home a great model for less than $500. As of Dec. 8, the impressive Pixel model is on sale for just $499, a saving of $300. According to camelcamelcamel, this is its lowest-ever price.

The Pixel 9 also comes unlocked, so it's an ideal choice for anyone who doesn't want to be stuck in a two-year contract with one network provider. It also comes with some of Google’s latest AI features through Gemini, Google's AI assistant. These are tools that can help with tasks, respond to voice prompts, and generally make your use of the phone feel seamless.

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The camera offers great quality. It's award-winning, in fact. It has a 50 MP main sensor and a new 48 MP ultrawide camera with Macro Focus for detailed, up close shots. And after you snap, the phone's AI photo tools let you edit in ways that can change composition, adjust scenes, or improve how people look in group shots. Features like Add Me and Best Take can merge or refine images, and Magic Editor allows you to reframe or alter scenery after shooting. Editing made nice and easy.

You can find this Google Pixel 9 deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 8, Best Buy has dropped the price of the AirPods 4 (without ANC) to $79.99 as part of its Deal of the Day. This is $50 off their list price of $129.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $79.99 at Best Buy
$129.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal

Big seasonal sale events may be behind us now, but if you're still hoping to save on tech ahead of the holidays, Best Buy's here to help. As part of its Deal of the Day, the retailer has dropped the price of the AirPods 4 (without ANC) to $79.99 on Dec. 8, so you can score these earbuds at a discounted price that's very close to the $69.99 point they hit over Cyber Monday.

This discount ultimately saves you $50 on the AirPods 4 (without ANC), as they usually retail for $129.99. This is a great price if you've had your eye on them, either for yourself or as a gift to give during the holiday season. Again, this is a one-day-only deal, so if you'd like to grab them for $79.99, you need to act quick.

SEE ALSO: From AirPods to espresso machines, everything the Mashable shopping team bought during Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025

With a battery life that can last up to 30 hours when you use the charging case, the AirPods 4 are an excellent companion to pack with you for any holiday travels. And though these versions don't have noise-cancellation, they still offer great sound quality thanks to the H2 chip and features like Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, which makes it feel as if the sound is coming from all around you as you listen.

Don't miss out on Best Buy's Deal of the Day on the AirPods 4 (without ANC), which has knocked them down to just $79.99.

If these have been on your holiday season shopping list but you're not quite done yet, check out our roundup of the 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025 to see even more items we'd recommend this year.

IT: Welcome to Derry episode 6 may have made us briefly wonder if Mrs Kersh (Madeleine Stowe) is Pennywise's daughter, but episode 7 has now given us the answer.

Opening with yet another flashback to 1908, the penultimate episode in Andy Muschietti's prequel series takes us back to the origin of not the monster itself, but the creature's infamous clown persona.

So what do we learn? We've unpacked it all below.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry': All the Stephen King Easter eggs so far What happens with Pennywise in episode 7?

In 1908, Ingrid Kersh (Madeleine Stowe) is working at the fun fair with her father Bob Gray (Bill Skarsgård), who performs as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. When he's in his costume he looks like a budget version of the evil Pennywise we've come to know all too well, and it's clear that the man himself isn't an evil, child-snatching entity.

Credit: HBO

So what's going on here?

The first clue comes when we see a creepy child watching Pennywise from a window with an unsmiling expression on his face. Later, that same child approaches a makeup-free Bob and tells him that "the children seem drawn to you." The kid then says he can't find his parents, before leading Bob into the woods towards the sound of screams.

The next thing we know Ingrid's father has disappeared, and all that remains of him is a blood-spattered handkerchief that's been found in the forest.

What does it tell us about Pennywise's origin?

Firstly, the episode rules out any possibility of Mrs Kersh being the monster's actual daughter (as she herself realises towards the episode's end). What it does tell us is that Pennywise was once a real, human clown, chosen by the creature due to his popularity with children. Essentially the clown is just another one of IT's many disguises — the form it reverts to when it wants to lure in children.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

IT: Welcome to Derry only has one episode left, and things seem to be going from bad to worse.

Because as well as a Pennywise origin story and a re-creation of one of the book's most disturbing historical chapters, episode 7 also ends with a twist that spells trouble for not just the main characters, but potentially the entire United States.

So what exactly happened, and what could it mean?

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry': All the Stephen King Easter eggs so far What happens at the end of IT: Welcome to Derry, episode 7?

After a horrific arson attack brings an apparent end to the creature's current killing cycle, the military — following the lead of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) — tracks down one of the ancient pillars that essentially acts as a cage to keep the monster in Derry. Major Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) thinks they'll be using this pillar to trap and kill the creature, but soon discovers the military actually intends to destroy it.

During a tense discussion with General Shaw (James Remar), the army's real plans become clear: They don't want to kill the creature, they want to free it.

Why is the army trying to free IT?

Given Pennywise has spent the past six episodes laying waste to 17 children, the army's plan to unleash IT into the U.S. seems misguided at best. But General Shaw seems convinced that IT is exactly what America needs. "This country is slowly fracturing into a thousand, jagged, ill-fitting pieces," he barks. "I am only trying to prevent another civil war."

The general believes that the only chance of controlling the population is through the kind of fear that a creature like Pennywise has the power to instil en masse.

"Look at this town. What happened last night, horrific," Shaw says. "But guess what? The streets are calm today. No rioting, no looting, no unrest. The fear — it settles on every living person it touches like a fog. Like a goddamned anaesthetic."

Despite the best efforts of Major Hanlon, the army succeeds in destroying the pillar. As we see from the final shots of the episode, this causes the creature to reawaken from its slumber.

Somehow we think the army may not have properly thought this little scheme through.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

SAVE $30: As of Dec. 8, the Echo Show 5 is on sale for $59.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 $59.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal

Smart home products are a great way to modernize your home; whether it's a robot vacuum, smart light bulbs, or even devices to control your heating, they truly do make life a little easier. And one simple way to streamline everything is through a smart home hub like the Echo Show 5, a compact display that brings Alexa and a handy control system to one location.

And as of Dec. 8, you can get the Echo Show 5 on sale at Amazon. Right now you'll save $30 on the device, bringing the price down to $59.99. That's just $5 off its Black Friday price.

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This smart home hub has a 5.5-inch display, so it's nifty but big enough to let you see things like news, weather, and music at a glance. It can also be used for video calls, streaming, and checking compatible cameras thanks to its 2MP camera. Despite its small size, the sound is impressive, with the speakers benefiting from a deeper bass and clearer vocals.

It can also control compatible smart home devices such as lights and thermostats, and the built-in camera can be used to check in on pets or view your front door through supported video doorbells. And when not in use, you can transform the screen into a digital photo frame, showing a carousel of your favorite images.

Pick up this Echo Show 5 deal from Amazon now.

Having a clean and tidy home is a joy. Cleaning and tidying said home is less of a joy. Though there are some elevated beings among us who find scrubbing their stovetop a meditative experience, most people consider such tasks exhausting, reviled chores only undertaken with reluctance.

Fortunately, the steady march of technological advancement continues to lighten the burden of domestic labour. The popularisation of washing machines and dishwashers revolutionised everyday chores in the '50s, freeing up precious time for millions of people. New devices are now furthering the cause, seeking to become the next ubiquitous household cleaning essential.

Here are seven gadgets to help keep your home clean with minimal effort.

SEE ALSO: How to clean your laptop screen Roborock F25 Ultra wet and dry vacuum cleaner Roborock claims it can even steam wood floors. Credit: Roborock

While robot vacuums are great at maintaining general floor cleanliness, sometimes a deeper manual clean is required. The Roborock F25 Ultra wet and dry vacuum cleaner is a versatile option for such occasions, offering mopping, steam cleaning, 187°F (86°C) hot water cleaning, and sponge functionality all in a convenient upright cordless gadget. It can also lay completely flat, allowing you to reach those difficult spots underneath furniture for a satisfyingly thorough clean.

Boasting 22,000Pa suction power, the F25 Ultra features tight edge-to-edge cleaning on either side, mopping right up next to furniture and walls without missing spots. While its auto and sponge modes are suitable for standard cleaning and sucking up spills, the F25 Ultra's hot water and steam modes deal with oiler, more stubborn stains. The F25 Ultra also has a separate onboard compartment for detergent, which automatically dispenses in appropriate modes. This means you can switch between the steam and non-steam functions on the fly without having to worry about detergent interfering with the internal mechanisms.

Significantly, Roborock claims that the F25 Ultra's steam mode safely be safely used on wood floors. Many other wet and dry vacuums advise against such use due to fears that the hot steam may cause the wood to warp. In contrast, Roborock states that tests on the F25 Ultra included using its steam mode on a solid wood floor, which didn't result in any damage even after 18,000 strokes.

The F25 Ultra comes with a charging base and self-cleaning mode, which makes maintenance fairly simple. All you need to do run the self-clean, then empty out the dirty water tank and brush away the accumulated debris. While clearing out a dirty water tank is never an enjoyable task, the convenient lever handle on the F25 Ultra's tank helps make it as quick and easy as possible.

Roborock F25 Ultra wet and dry vacuum $529.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $270   Shop Now at Amazon Wolfbox MegaFlow 200 compressed air duster Blow away dust with ease. Credit: Wolfbox

Dusting off your electronics is one of those cleaning chores that you know you technically should do, but it's just so easy to overlook. There's never a compressed air canister on hand when you want to clean, and going to buy one feels like a hassle. The Wolfbox MegaFlow 200 compressed air duster makes it much easier to keep your electronics clean, turning dusting from an occasional chore to a regular part of your routine.

Blasting air at a maximum speed of over 190mph, the MegaFlow 200 weighs less than 1lb and charges by USB-C, making it easy to keep on hand for a quick clean at any time. While its four interchangeable nozzles are too wide to really reach into the nooks and crannies of electronics, the MegaFlow also comes with two brushes to help with that job, allowing you to dislodge debris while the powerful fan blasts it away. 

The MegaFlow 200 isn't just intended for dusting off electronics either. It can also tackle tasks such as clearing away sawdust in your workshop, helping light campfires, or blowing up inflatable mattresses — basically any job that requires a concentrated blast of air. Instead of handling a myriad of disposable air canisters and air pumps, you can do it all with just one gadget.

It is worth noting that the MegaFlow 200's considerable power does come with a drawback. The fan is incredibly loud, enough that it may hurt users' ears while in operation. Mashable's testing found that the noise from the MegaFlow 200 was over 100dB, as measured by Apple Watch Ultra's environmental noise detection. According to Apple, just a few minutes of sound at this volume per day can cause temporary hearing loss. As such, you'll definitely want to wear earplugs or noise-cancelling earphones while using the MegaFlow 200.

Wolfbox MegaFlow 200 compressed air duster $99.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.00   Shop Now at Amazon Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum Credit: Dreame

A decade ago robot vacuums were considered novelties, more suitable as subjects of drunken shenanigans than reliable home helpers. They've developed significantly in the years since, with Dreame's Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum now offering a reasonable set-and-forget solution to keeping your floors clean with minimal effort, regardless of whether you have hard floors, carpet, or both.

The Aqua10 Ultra Roller is one of Dreame's first robot vacuums to have a roller mop, forgoing the spinning mop pads found on its previous models. Dreame has gone hard on this new design as well. Not only can the roller mop extend out by 40mm to reach along edges, the Aqua10 Ultra Roller also rinses it with clean water as it mops, ensuring you aren't spreading a mess across your floor. Further, the Aqua10 Ultra Roller has a roller guard which automatically deploys to shield the wet mop when it detects carpet, keeping soft flooring dry and stain-free. It's a boon to anyone who's ever chased after a robot vacuum dragging its dirty wet mop across their carpet.

Combined with 30,000 Pa of suction power, the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum leaves floors feeling noticeably cleaner and fresher — and does so remarkably quietly. The Aqua10 Ultra Roller operates at a low, relatively unobtrusive hum which is great for those who want to run their robot vacuum overnight while they sleep. 

Like Dreame's previous models, the Aqua10 Ultra Roller is capable of clearing 4cm thresholds, or 8cm if there's a ledge halfway for it to work with. While Dreame's robot vacuums still aren't climbing stairs just yet, they're certainly striving to get closer to that goal, offering some of the best threshold clearance on the market. The Aqua10 Ultra Roller also does practically everything else now expected of premium robot vacuums, including automatically washing its roller mop, emptying its dust bin, refilling its water tank, and topping up its detergent in its docking station.

Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum $1,199.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $400   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Kärcher SC 3 EasyFix steam cleaner A powerful and versatile cleaning gadget. Credit: Mashable composite: Kärcher

Steam cleaners are severely underrated cleaning gadgets, sanitising surfaces and blasting away grime that would otherwise take extensive scrubbing to remove. If the grout in your bathroom is perpetually mouldy or you hate scouring your stovetop, you should seriously consider investing in a steam cleaner.

The Kärcher SC 3 EasyFix steam cleaner is a versatile household steam cleaner which heats up in less than a minute, so you can quickly get to cleaning before your motivation evaporates. Relatively compact at around 14 inches long, the SC 3 EasyFix has a 33 oz (1L) water tank which can easily be topped up even during operation, no stopping and depressurising required. Its replaceable descaling cartridge removes limescale from the water to lengthen the steam cleaner's lifespan as well.

The SC 3 EasyFix comes bundled with several attachments and accessories, including a floor nozzle, cleaning cloth, and extension tubes so you can steam clean your floor without getting on all fours. Kärcher also has various other accessories to expand your unit's versatility, such as a carpet glider, handy replacement brush sets, and a power nozzle for reaching into narrow areas.

It isn't entirely magic — you will still have to scrub a little. But scrubbing with a steam cleaner as opposed to without one is like pushing a tricycle instead of a truck.

Kärcher SC 3 EasyFix steam cleaner $207.99 at Amazon
$259.99 Save $52   Shop Now at Amazon Dremel Versa electric scrubber Scrubbing made way easier. Credit: Dremel

Keeping a home clean unfortunately often necessitates scrubbing for hours on end until your fingers are permanently, painfully stuck in a clawed position. The Dremel Versa is an electric scrubbing device designed to make this chore much easier, replacing your elbow grease with 2,200 RPM.

The Versa has a slew of attachments available to suit a variety of scrubbing needs, whether you want to clean steel, grout, or glass. While its brushes screw in, the sponges adhere to the Versa via a Velcro-like pad, keeping them firmly attached while also making them ridiculously easy to swap out.

Dremel has a handy chart to help you determine the appropriate sponge for a variety of tasks, though it's still fairly nerve-wracking at first. As someone who has inadvertently scratched shower glass with a drill-powered scrubbing brush, you don't want to be applying such power unless you're absolutely sure you have the right attachment. You should consider wearing hearing protection as well, especially if you're using the Dremel Versa in an enclosed space such as a shower. After all, it is essentially a drill.

Though once you've figured it out, the Dremel Versa can go a long way to making home upkeep less taxing.

Dremel Versa electric scrubber $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Coway Airmega 200M air purifier A good air purifier can be vital to the comfort of a home. Credit: Coway

As someone who lives in a fairly suburban area, I used to think air purifiers were largely unnecessary gadgets. Having now been through several dire bushfire seasons which smothered my home in smoke, I now know better.

Whether you're dealing with wildfire smoke or city smog, a good air purifier can be vital to the comfort of a home. After all, it's difficult to relax if you can't even get a lungful of good, clean air. The Coway Airmega 200M is a relatively unobtrusive workhorse that can maintain clean air in a 361 square foot area, whether you're binge-watching Netflix in your living room or optimising your sleep in your bedroom. The result is an environment that feels undeniably fresher and more peaceful.

The Airmega 200M has four stages of filtration: a pre-filter for larger particles such as hair and dust; a deodorisation filter to capture smells; a True HEPA filter for ultra fine particles like pollen, viruses, and germs; and a vital ioniser to catch any ultra fine particles the previous filters missed. 

Operating at a whisper-quiet volume, Coway's air purifier has a timer which can be set to one, four, or eight hours, as well as three different fan speeds. It also has an Eco Mode, which will save you energy by turning the fan off if the Airmega 200M doesn't detect pollution for half an hour, then turning it back on when it does.

Coway Airmega 200M air purifier $229.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart Bosch GlassVAC Solo Plus window vacuum A gadget that aims to simplify window washing. Credit: Bosch

Having an abundance of windows can make a home feel refreshing and bright, allowing in natural light to transform an otherwise gloomy space. Unfortunately, these benefits are significantly diminished if you can't keep said windows clean.

Bosch's GlassVAC Solo Plus window vacuum aims to simplify this chore, squeegeeing and sucking up liquids for a tidy, streak-free finish. Bundled with a spray bottle affixed to a microfibre cloth head, this handheld gadget is designed to clean windows, mirrors, shower screens, tiles, and other such surfaces. Just turn it on, squeegee as usual, and watch as dirty water collects in its 100mL tank instead of on your window sill. 

The vacuum isn't quite as effective when running the GlassVAC Solo Plus horizontally across surfaces as opposed to vertically, and it may not get every last drop. Depending on how wet your window was, you may still need to give the sill a quick wipe. Even so, the GlassVAC Solo Plus does an excellent job of substantially minimising mess, and is particularly handy when dealing with morning condensation on bedroom windows.

The Bosch's GlassVAC Solo Plus also doesn't make that grating squeaking sound that most standard squeegees do, which is an undeniable bonus.

Bosch Glass VAC Battery Cordless Vacuum Cleaner $92 at Walmart
$110 Save $18   Shop Now at Walmart

UPDATE: Dec. 8, 2025, 4:43 p.m. AEDT This article was originally published July 2024, and has since been updated in December 2025.

This week’s tips are adapted from Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner’s new book, The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation (HBR Press). An “Octopus Organization” is flexible, decentralized, and built for change. The journey to becoming one begins with identifying “antipatterns”: formulaic responses to complex challenges that can set […]

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I'm not a fan of gaming headsets, so for the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro to impress me enough for me to recommend it to you is no small feat.

Tonight marks day 18 of the lunar cycle, meaning the Moon is in its waning gibbous phase. More than half of its surface is still illuminated, but it’s slowly shrinking each night as it moves toward the New Moon. Keep reading to find out what this means.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Dec. 8, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. This means 83% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There's still more than half of the moon on display, so with just you naked eye you can see the Mare Tranquillitatis, Tycho Crater, and Copernicus Crater. If have binoculars to hand, pull these out to see the Gassendi Crater, Endymion Crater, and the Alps Mountains. And a telescope will help you see the you can catch a glimpse of the Apollo 16 landing spot, Rima Ariadaeus, and the Linne Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3.

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the lunar cycle (which is about 29.5 days long) is made up of the Moon’s phases, which describe how the Moon looks from Earth as it travels around us. We view the same side of the Moon at all times, but the sunlight hitting its surface shifts as it moves through its orbit. That changing illumination is what makes the Moon appear full, half-lit, or not visible at all. The cycle includes eight distinct phases:

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. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last 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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 6, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 6, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 8 Pips

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 8 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this orange space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this green space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 8 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this green space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (21): Everything in this space must add up to 21. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 21. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you live in the Mile High City.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Mile High sports

• Green: Levels of football

• Blue: Billionaires

• Purple: MACtion

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Denver Teams

• Green: Words That Come Before "Football"

• Blue: NFL Owners

• Purple: MAC Team Nicknames

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 #441 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Denver Teams - AVALANCHE, BRONCOS, NUGGETS, ROCKIES

• Words That Come Before "Football" - AMERICAN, COLLEGE, FANTASY, FLAG

• NFL Owners - BLANK, HUNT, KRAFT, YORK

• MAC Team Nicknames - GOLDEN FLASHES, MINUTEMEN, ROCKETS, ZIPS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Subscriptions are the new cable, and if you're not careful, you might find that your subscription costs wind up creeping higher than any cable subscription ever did.

Linux is generally less prone to malware than Windows, and so long as you're careful about the commands you enter, Linux systems tend to age much more gracefully than Windows systems. However, no system is truly immune to malware, and blindly following instructions online can easily break something on your system if you're not cautious. That is where immutable distros can save the day.

Windows has a vast ecosystem of its own apps, but many of my current favorite apps for Windows actually started their digital lives on Linux. If you're looking for a few free or open-source alternatives to your conventional Windows apps, some of these options are a great place to start.

Hot take: 1TB SSDs are fine for some people, but not for most people. Not anymore.