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Samsung's most affordable flip phone ever, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to buy their first foldable. However, so is Motorola's Razr 2025. So, if you're on the market with a limited budget, which one should you choose? Let's figure it out.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. 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 today's 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?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 24 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Huge

• Green: A swift departure

• Blue: Discussed with a realtor

• Purple: Two-in-one

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Colossal

• Green: Leave quickly

• Blue: Parts of a basketball hoop

• Purple: Homophones of synonyms for "Nab"

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 #774 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Colossal: GIANT, GREAT, MAMMOTH, TITANIC

• Leave quickly: BOUNCE, DIP, JET, SPLIT

• Parts of a basketball hoop: BACKBOARD, NET, POLE, RIM

• Homophones of synonyms for "Nab:" KNICK, LUTE, RABE, STEEL

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 24

Are you also playing NYT 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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 24 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 24 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Back away slowly

The words are animal-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are animal gestures.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Warning.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for July 24

• Snarl

• Growl

• Hiss

• Warning

• Stomp

• Screech

• Spray

• Huff

• Rattle

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 Strands.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for July 24 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 24, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Tremble.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter Q.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

QUAKE.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 24

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

HDMI cables are an integral part of any home theater or modern display setup. However, shopping for the best HDMI cables for you can become overwhelming due to the sheer number of choices and marketing fluff surrounding them.

Tesla's Robotaxi autonomous taxi service is currently serving only one, penis-shaped area of Austin, but the company's ambitions are much, much bigger than that.

Speaking during the company's earnings call on Wednesday, CEO Elon Musk said he thinks the company will "have Robotaxi in half the population of the US by the end of the year," while noting that this is subject to regulatory approvals.

"We're getting the regulatory permission to launch in the Bay Area, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, and a number of other places," said Musk.

During the call, Musk did also say that the company is being "very cautious" with Robotaxi expansion, but that the service areas and the number of vehicles in operation will increase at a "hyper-exponential rate."

Musk previously said the Robotaxi service would expand to the Bay Area in a "month or two", but this new plan is ambitious, even for Musk's own (often unrealistic) standards. Tesla is currently offering its Robotaxi service in a reported 10-20 Model Y vehicles (the number might have increased since launch), and only to a limited number of participants.

Alphabet's Waymo is currently available in several major U.S. cities, including Austin, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Atlanta. The company also plans to launch its self-driving service in Miami and Washington D.C. in 2026.

SEE ALSO: Tesla Diner & Drive-In opens in California

Tesla does have a big advantage over other self-driving taxi services — it uses stock Model Y cars as its Robotaxis, while Waymo, Zoox and other competitors use highly modified cars with added sensors such as cameras, radars, and lidars. This means that Tesla could technically expand a lot faster than its competitors, though none of it will happen until regulators give it the green light.

SAVE $230: For a limited time, Amazon has the Samsung 27-inch S80UA 4K monitor for just $219.99 — 51% off its regular $449.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 27-inch ViewFinity S80UA 4K Monitor $219.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $230 Get Deal

As of July 24, the 27-inch Samsung ViewFinity S80UA 27-inch 4K UHD monitor is a powerhouse for creatives, professionals, gamers, and anyone craving pixel-perfect visuals whilst upgrading their setup. And at just $219.99, it’s officially a no-brainer.

With four times the resolution of Full HD, this monitor’s 4K display offers stunning detail and ample screen real estate for multitasking across multiple apps or documents. The IPS panel in particular promises to deliver bold, accurate colours with a 178-degree wide viewing angle, making it ideal for design work, spreadsheets, and binge-watching Netflix and Disney+ shows alike.

SEE ALSO: The best monitors in 2025

And it's not just about the looks; the S80UA also boasts comfort and connectivity. With USB-C, this monitor can charge your laptop (up to 90W) while sending video and data — all through a single cable. That’s less clutter on your desk and fewer headaches when switching between devices, thanks to Automatic Source Switch.

Colour lovers will appreciate its HDR10 support and over a billion colours, while long workdays feel a little easier on the eyes thanks to Eye Saver Mode and flicker-free tech. Adjustable height, tilt, swivel, and pivot options round out the ergonomic perks — plus, it’s VESA-compatible for clean wall or arm mounting.

While its max 60Hz refresh rate doesn’t make it the best gaming monitor in the world, it should still make for jaw-dropping 4K-resolution displays when playing Cyberpunk 2077 and Stellar Blade — as long as you’re not bothered about a max FPS of 60.

Nevertheless, energy-efficient and future-proofed with a three-year warranty, the S80UA is built for work, play, and everything in between.

And while you're in upgrade mode, check out our guide advising on the other best monitors for upgrading your visuals. And take a look at our overall list of best monitors in 2025 — covering all budgets.

4K gaming monitors are often touted as the ultimate way to experience games by reviewers, but I’m not convinced. While 4K objectively looks better, I don’t think the difference matters to most gamers, and there are some real downsides to it. Allow me to explain.

Despite Trump wanting everyone to talk about Obama, the main story of the moment continues to be the president's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, with a recent Wall Street Journal report claiming that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump that his name appears in the Epstein files back in May, and a CNN report digging up new photos and video footage of the two men together in the '90s and '00s.

During his second day hosting The Daily Show, Josh Johnson goes through these damning new stories one by one.

"It's getting to the point where it's harder and harder to find a photo of Donald Trump without Jeffrey Epstein in it. As Donald Trump, your only hope is to be like, 'Hey, I take pictures with lots of people! Alright?'" says Johnson, before bringing up a grim image carousel of the president with other disgraced celebrities. "I'm in pictures with OJ, Diddy, I'm in pictures with Harvey Weinstein. That's not helping, I'm gonna stop!"

Johnson isn't the only late night host talking about this, either. Over on the Late Show, Stephen Colbert is continuing with his scorched earth coverage of the president.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for July 23, 2025 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: Refreshments

• Green: Competitor

• Blue: Same team

• Purple: Same second word

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Equal

• Green: Sporting towns

• Blue: Same last name

• Purple: Sounds like

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 #304 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• All square - DEADLOCKED, EVEN, LEVEL, TIED

• Tennis Grand Slam locations - LONDON, MELBOURNE, NEW YORK, PARIS

• Sports figures with the surname Rivers - AUSTIN, DOC, PHILIP, SANIYA

• Homophones of NFL QBs - BOROUGH, HERTZ, KNICKS, MAY

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

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

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

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

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 Thursday, July 24, 2025:

AcrossOverhead tennis shot

• The answer is Smash.

Dish over which Lady and Tramp share a kiss

• The answer is Pasta.

How some solve print crosswords

• The answer is InPen.

Work with dough

• The answer is Knead.

The Bronx Bombers, informally

• The answer is Yanks.

DownLike hair in a mohawk, often

• The answer is Spiky.

Miraculous "bread from heaven" in the Book of Exodus

• The answer is Manna.

Colorado ski town

• The answer is Aspen.

Entrée that comes with its own knife

• The answer is Steak.

They have five digits each, typically

• The answer is Hands.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Stephen Colbert may be getting canceled, but that doesn't mean he's going to slow down on his scorched earth coverage of Trump and Epstein. Quite the opposite, in fact.

In the clip above Colbert kicks off his Late Show monologue by discussing a Wall Street Journal report that claims Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump his name was in the Epstein files back in May.

"He's in the files," says Colbert. "You know how they say there's no such thing as bad publicity? They're not talking about this."

Colbert goes on to mention some newly discovered photos published by CNN of Trump and Epstein from the '90s and '00s.

"That's how tight these guys were. Their friendship outlasted Trump's marriage to Marla Maples," says Colbert, before launching into his Trump impression. "'Till death do us part, Jeffrey. 'Till mysterious, unexplained death."

Colbert then moves on to the news that Trump will apparently be getting an extra $20 million from Skydance, the company planning to merge with his parent company Paramount, on top of the $16 million already being paid as part of a lawsuit settlement.

"That means by bending the knee, they lost like $40 million this year. They better watch out, they might get canceled. For purely financial reasons."

TL;DR: Find a wide range of free AI courses on Udemy. Learn about ChatGPT, Copilot, DeepSeek, and more without spending anything.

We know by now that AI is going to take over the world. We don't know exactly when AI will make its move, but it's coming. And all we can do until that point is try to better understand this technology. We might even be able to persuade it to go easy on us.

Fortunately, a wide range of free online courses on AI can be found on Udemy. We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout courses to get you started. These are the best online AI courses you can take for free this month:

• A Gentle Introduction to Generative AI

• AI Art Generation Guide: Create AI Images For Free

• AI for Beginners: Learn The Basics of ChatGPT

• AI for Business and Personal Productivity: A Practical Guide

• AI for Everyone

• AI for Students: Boost Learning & Research with Gen AI

• AI Fundamentals: From Basics to Generative AI

• AI in Agriculture: Practical Introductory Course

• AI Literacy Essentials: Working Responsibly with AI

• Become an AI-Powered Engineer: Cursor, the AI-First IDE

• Become an OpenAI ChatGPT Master: Start Earning with AI

• ChatGPT Prompt Engineering

• ChatGPT, Midjourney, Firefly, Bard, DALL-E, AI Crash Course

• Generative AI For Leaders

• How Smart People Use AI to Think, Lead, and Grow

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

• Master Generative AI for Developer Productivity With Pieces

• Master Generative AI: GPT, LLMs, Agents and Use Cases

• Training AI with Human Data, Explained for Annotators

• Worldbuilding AI Futures

These free online courses don't include certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but you still get unrestricted access to all the video content.

Find the best free AI courses on Udemy.

SAVE $250: For a limited time, Amazon has the Eufy C10 robot vacuum on sale for $229.99 — its lowest price since launch.

Opens in a new window Credit: eufy Eufy Robot Vacuum C10 $229.99 at Amazon
$479.99 Save $250 Get Deal

For anyone whose floors are begging for a break and tired of playing housekeeper, Eufy’s C10 robot vacuum might be exactly what your cleaning routine needs — and it just hit its lowest price yet.

As of July 24, the Eufy C10 robot vacuum is still on sale for $229.99 at Amazon, marked down from its original price of $479.99. That’s a 52% discount, and the biggest price drop since the model launched according to camelcamelcamel. It’s a limited-time deal, so if you’ve been waiting to upgrade to a robot vacuum that actually empties itself, now’s the time to make your move.

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

This vacuum does more than just roam around and hope for the best. With advanced LiDAR navigation and real-time smart mapping, the C10 creates efficient cleaning paths and avoids random bump-and-go chaos. 

Its standout feature is the self-emptying station. The built-in 3L dust bag holds up to eight weeks of debris, meaning you can go hands-free for two whole months without even thinking about emptying a dust bin. The C10 delivers 4,000Pa of suction, which — along with its rolling brush — makes short work of pet hair, crumbs, and daily debris. The slim 2.85-inch profile helps it squeeze under beds and furniture, and the CornerRover Arm extends to grab hair and dust in those frustrating hard-to-reach corners.

Eufy offers full control over scheduling, zone cleaning, and cleaning modes right from your phone.

Between its smart tech, serious suction, and low-effort upkeep, the Eufy C10 is a solid pick for anyone looking to automate the more annoying parts of cleaning. At just $229.99, this deal won’t stay around for long — and neither will the dust.

For more solid Eufy models, check out the best 25 overall robot vacuums in 2025. For some good old-fashioned ‘do it yourself’ cleaning, we’ve got some cordless stick vacuums in our selection of best general vacuum cleaners in 2025 as well.

Running essentials you can find on Amazon Best Running Watch Garmin Forerunner 955 $429 (save $70.99) Get Deal Best running earbuds Beats Fit Pro $179 (save $20.95) Get Deal Best Massage Gun TOLOCO Massage Gun $39.98 (save $20.01) Get Deal Best running torch InnoFox Running Light $13.99 (save $9) Get Deal

My favorite thing about running is that it's totally accessible. You don't need expensive equipment or memberships to get going. You just need a pair of trainers and the willingness to actually get out there.

That being said, there are a few things that make running more enjoyable, more comfortable, and sometimes even a little more consistent. Over time, I’ve found a handful of affordable running accessories on Amazon that genuinely make a difference. Here are some of my favorites that I actually use and love.

Garmin Forerunner 955 Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Foreunner 955 $429 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $70.99 Get Deal Why I like it

A watch is an essential accessory for running, and the Garmin Forerunner 955 is my absolute favorite. Yes, you can track runs on your phone apps if you don't want to fork out for a dedicated tracker. But for accurate pacing, GPS, and advanced stats, a fitness tracker is the way to go. It supports full GPS tracking and has a 5 ATM water resistance. This, combined with a stellar battery life, makes this smartwatch ideal for any kind of endurance running.

It benefits from metrics like Garmin's Training Readiness, Body Battery, and Training Status, all helping to support and improve your training.

Beats Fit Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $179 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $20.95 Get Deal Why I like it

Running without music seems like a horrible idea, but so does running without being aware of your surroundings. Enter the Beats Fit Pro. With noise cancellation modes that allow you to hear your music but also passing sounds (transparency mode), these are my go to for runs of all lengths.

My standout features are the battery life (they've survived marathons, accidentally being left on for days in my bag, and still live to tell the tale) and durability. I've used these for over two years and remain impressed with how well they still work. Not to mention, the sound quality is unbelievable. These are my first pair of Beats earbuds, and I can safely say I won't be going with anything else anytime soon.

TOLOCO Massage Gun Opens in a new window Credit: TOLOCO TOLOCO Massage Gun $39.98 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.01 Get Deal Why I like it

There's nothing quite like the sweet misery that comes from using a massage gun; it truly is beautiful torture. Using a massage gun offers a whole host of benefits for physical recovery and overall wellness. It helps alleviate muscle soreness and stiffness by promoting blood circulation and reducing lactic acid buildup. After a tough workout, using a muscle gun can speed up your recovery, and it's a step I never skip.

This budget option from Amazon is just as good as the expensive models, in my opinion. It has 10 changeable heads and low, medium, and high speed options.

InnoFox Running Light Opens in a new window Credit: ACEPHILY InnoFox Running Light $13.99 at Amazon
$22.99 Save $9.00 Get Deal Why I like it

Safety is paramount for runners, and whether we want to admit it or not, the long, bright nights will be coming to an end soon. We'll be back to morning and evening runs in the dark. A lightweight running light is one of the easiest ways to stay visible and safe; it helps you see, but more importantly, helps others see you.

This budget option from Amazon can clip onto your clothes or running belt. It's USB charged, so it's easy to have ready for when you want to head out the door.

Astronomers suspect the giant black hole at the heart of the Milky Way may have collided with another black hole in just the past 10 million years.

At the core of the galaxy, about 26,000 light-years away in space, is Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole about 4 million times more massive than the sun. The idea is that Sgr A* scarfed down another smaller black hole, potentially solving a longheld mystery about a strange group of stars near the galaxy's center.

These so-called S-stars orbit in wild, tilted, and stretched-out paths, in stark contrast with other nearby stars that move in a neat, orderly rotation. No one knows how the S-stars got where they are or why their orbits are so chaotic, especially given they're young and whatever caused their motion had to have happened fast.

A team of researchers used computer simulations to try to retrace the steps of previous cosmic events. The scientists found if a smaller black hole merged with Sgr A*, the event could have triggered a kickback similar to that of a firing gun. The recoil could have then scrambled the orbits of nearby stars without flinging the black hole far from the center. The researchers' results appear in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

SEE ALSO: Two black holes merged in outer space and created something colossal An image of Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's galactic center. Credit: Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration

Black holes are some of the most inscrutable phenomena in outer space. About 50 years ago, they were little more than a theory — a kooky mathematical answer to a physics problem. Even astronomers at the top of their field weren't entirely convinced they existed. 

Today, not only are black holes accepted science, they're getting their pictures taken by a collection of enormous, synced-up radio dishes on Earth. Humanity saw a clear view of Sgr A* for the first time in 2022. 

Unlike a planet or star, black holes don't have surfaces. Instead, they have a boundary called an "event horizon," or a point of no return. If anything swoops too close, it will fall in, never to escape the hole's gravitational clutch.

The most common kind, called a stellar black hole, is thought to be the result of an enormous star dying in a supernova explosion. The star's material then collapses onto itself, condensing into a relatively tiny area. How supermassive black holes form is even more elusive. Astrophysicists believe these invisible giants lurk at the center of virtually all galaxies. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope observations have bolstered the theory that they begin in the dusty cores of starburst galaxies, where new stars are rapidly assembled, but scientists are still teasing that out.

Scientists propose that a massive black hole fell toward Sgr A*, taking with it gas and stars, causing the black holes to eventually merge. The merger remnant would get a recoil kick, which over a few million years could cause the strange tilted orbits of the S-star cluster. Credit: Tatsuya Akiba et al. / doi:10.3847/2041-8213/addc5d diagram

The Milky Way is ancient — over 13 billion years old — and over that time, it has likely absorbed many smaller galaxies. Some of those galaxies may have contained their own black holes. If one of these smaller black holes spiraled into Sgr A*, it would have released a blast of gravitational waves, pushing Sgr A* slightly off-center. Over time, the gravity of this lopsided disk could have pulled some stars closer and tilted their orbits, turning them into the S-star cluster seen today.

To test this hypothesis, researchers used computer simulations that mimic how stars and black holes interact. In their model, a smaller black hole — about 200,000 times the mass of the sun — falls into Sgr A*. Fast-forward 2 million years, and the simulation produces a group of stars whose orbits look a lot like the S-stars. 

Though the model isn't perfect — the stars' orbits were a bit less extreme than the real ones — future studies could tweak it. Researchers say the model not only offers a new way to study the history of the Milky Way's central black hole but sheds light on how galaxies evolve.

With The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel's First Family finally arrives in the MCU. But does their MCU debut follow in the franchise's tradition of including mid-credits and end-credits scenes?

SEE ALSO: ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ review: One of the best MCU films in years

The MCU's other 2025 film offerings have been somewhat inconsistent with their post-credits scenes. Captain America: Brave New World skipped a mid-credits scene entirely, instead offering up a vague end-credits scene that felt like the product of a rushed rewrite and reshoot. Elsewhere, Thunderbolts* delivered a more satisfying look at what's to come from Marvel, teasing the New Avengers and the arrival of the Fantastic Four in their dimension.

Is there more Pedro Pascal in the post-credits of The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

Luckily for MCU fans, The Fantastic Four: First Steps follows in Thunderbolts* footsteps as opposed to Captain America: Brave New World. The film features both a mid-credits scene and an end-credits scene, so get ready to stay in the theater even after Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) wrap up their adventures.

No spoilers, but the mid-credits scene offers a major tease of the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, while the end-credits scene pays off a fun gag from the rest of the film, with a bit of nostalgia thrown in for good measure. Only one member of the film's Fantastic Four actually shows up in these scenes, but no spoilers yet on who it is. For that, you'll have to watch through the credits, which also offer the opportunity to appreciate the gargantuan crew that brought The Fantastic Four: First Steps to life.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters July 24.

SAVE $10.95: As of July 23, get the LifeStraw Go for $49 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $59.95. That's a discount of 18%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon LifeStraw Go $49 at Amazon
$59.95 Save $10.95 Get Deal

If you're someone who travels often, a LifeStraw should be a necessity. It's a personal water filter that comes in the form of a straw, so you can drink from virtually any water source. It filters out bacteria, microplastics, and just about everything you can think of so you can drink without worrying about the consequences. LifeStraw has added this technology to water bottles as part of its LifeStraw Go water bottle line. And if you want one to take around with you, you can score a discount on one of the water bottles right now at Amazon.

As of July 23, get the LifeStraw Go for $49 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $59.95. That's $10.95 off for a discount of 18%.

SEE ALSO: One-and-done deal: Get MS Office 2021 for life

This stainless steel bottle can filter out all the grossness you might get from water sourced from less-than-savory areas. It claims to protect against E. coli, salmonella, parasites, microplastics, sand, cloudiness, and more with its Membrane microfilter. The filter lasts up to 1,000 gallons, or about five years of daily use.

It comes in multiple hues, though not all of them are currently on sale. However, the Cactus Green is discounted, and it's a sprightly color that you'll love toting around with you. This can be a necessary and worthwhile sidekick, whether you're staying in the States or traveling abroad.

Best tech deals

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

SAVE $15.01: As of July 23, get the Renpho Smart Scale for $19.98 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $34.99. That's a discount of 43%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Renpho Smart Scale $19.98 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $15.01 Get Deal

Whether you're just setting out on your fitness journey or you're well into an established routine, keeping track of your biometrics can be a helpful part of working your way to a fitter, healthier you. A smart scale is an excellent way to track all of this data, and super easy at that. And there's an extremely affordable one on offer right now at Amazon.

As of July 23, get the Renpho Smart Scale for $19.98 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $34.99. That's $15.01 off and a discount of 43%.

SEE ALSO: We tested the top fitness trackers of 2025: See our favorite wearables and smart rings

This is a digital scale with Bluetooth connectivity that has 13 body metrics to help you track: BMI, muscle mass, body fat percentage, metabolic age, and more. It can sync your data with Apple Health, Samsung Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit and offers a hub that you can refer to if you're looking to keep track of your progress.

You can set it up by way of the companion Renpho app and log your data across multiple devices. Plus, you can swap out users via app, so anyone in your household can have their own account without having to worry about muddling up someone else's health data.

There's a lot to love about this scale, but mostly the fact that it's about $20. For the amount you might spend on a few coffees, you're getting a fully functional smart scale that can help you track important data points.

Best tech deals

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

I'm a firm believer that a solid pair of earbuds is always worth the investment. No matter if you're staying at home and simply want to tune out the world or you've got big travel plans, they're great to have on-hand to keep you entertained at all times. As someone who spends a lot of time listening to music or podcasts on my own, my AirPods Pro 2 earbuds are something I always keep close at hand. They're an especially good pick for their noise-canceling features.

I recently raved about the AirPods Pro 2's noise-canceling features and how they made a long flight a lot more comfortable. Being able to tune out the sounds of the engines or a baby crying makes a huge difference to your overall comfort.

Quality noise-canceling features often come with a higher price tag, but thankfully Apple has another, cheaper option for shoppers to check out. The newer AirPods 4 model with ANC offers noise-canceling features at a lower price point. So I was curious to know which AirPods model is worth picking up for regular travelers.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best earbuds to buy in 2025, selected by Mashable audio experts

Here at Mashable, we think very highly of both models. Our glowing review of the AirPods 4 with ANC gave them a solid 4.6/5, with Mashable's Kimberly Gedeon saying, "they have replaced my AirPods Pro as my new daily driver earbuds." And the AirPods Pro 2 have secured a spot on our overall list of the best earbuds.

If you're on the fence, we're here to help you find the best AirPods to use on your next trip.

The battle of noise-cancelation: AirPods 4 vs. AirPods Pro 2

When it comes to noise-cancelation features, both the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 share Conversation Awareness, Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio, and Active Noise Cancelation. Our review of the AirPods 4 said that the "active noise cancellation is elite" and similarly our review of the AirPods Pro 2 had high praise for their noise-cancelation, with Mashable's Stan Schroeder saying, "They sound wonderful and have almost uncanny active noise cancelation." It's worth noting that Apple says AirPods Pro 2 remove up to 2x more background noise than the AirPods 4.

The AirPods 4 feature a one-size-fits-most design that, according to our AirPods 4 review, is "surprisingly snug." The AirPods Pro 2 offer just a little bit extra in the design department, though. The Pros are fitted with silicone tips that create an extra seal to help block out external sounds. This is a helpful addition as a tight seal ensures the active noise-cancellation works to the best of its ability. Without such a seal, external noise can still sneak into your ears, no matter how good the ANC is. In our comparison of AirPods 4 vs. Airpods Pro 2, Mashable's Bethany Allard said of the silicone tips that they offer "a more secure fit," which is also helpful if you're worried about your earbuds falling out.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals this week: MacBooks, AirPods, and more

Battery life is another key difference between the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2. With noise-canceling features enabled, the AirPods 4 can get up to four hours of listening on a single charge. When combined with the case, you can stretch the battery life up to 20 hours. This can even stretch up to 30 hours if you don't enable ANC. The AirPods Pro 2, on the other hand, get just a little bit extra listening time — up to six hours with ANC enabled, or up to 30 hours when you're using the case. In the case of a longer trip, the AirPods Pro 2 nudge out the AirPods 4.

Which AirPods are worth buying?

The AirPods Pro 2 are usually listed for $249 while the AirPods 4 with ANC come in at $179. And while these models can often be found discounted during sale events, it's still a lot of money to drop on earbuds.

Both models offer great noise-cancelation, but if you're looking for a more secure fit and a longer battery life, the AirPods Pro 2 are worth the investment. The AirPods 4 still get you the noise-canceling features you're looking for and offer solid sound quality for less cash, but if you want to most comfortable travel experience, the AirPods Pro 2 will get you there in first class.

Where to buy the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

If you're looking to pick up the AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4, we've included links on where to buy below. The good news is both of these models are discounted at the moment after Prime Day. There are more major sale events still to come this year — another Prime Day usually pops up in October and Black Friday takes place in November — so there will be more chances to secure record-low prices.

Where to buy the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Best AirPods Pro 2 Deal AirPods Pro 2 $199 (save $50) Get Deal Best AirPods 4 deal AirPods 4 $168.99 (save $10.01) Get Deal