The New York Times Mini Crossword is a fun and simple younger sibling to the newspaper’s legendary regular daily crossword. The Mini Crossword (we publish the answers daily) usually has only about six across-clues and six down-clues, and you can finish it in less than a minute if all goes well. 

It makes me feel smart, unlike the big crossword, which sometimes makes me throw things.

But this Wednesday, some Mini Crossword players were met with a paywall. Going forward, anyone who doesn’t pay for a Times subscription with a Games package will be required to subscribe if they want to continue solving the Mini Crossword.

Naturally, players were… well, what’s a five-letter word for bummed out? UPSET?

Read more: CNET’s daily answer page for Wordle, Connections, Strands, the Mini Crossword and Connections: Sports Edition

«Each day that passes, a bit of happiness is placed behind a paywall,» wrote one Reddit user.

Another wrote, «Doing this crossword on the way home each day from work was my little ritual.»

Pay to play: Games subscription for full access

Even if you have a digital subscription to the New York Times, you might not have full Games access. The Times has priced a Games subscription separate from its news, which costs $6 a month. There are annual sign-up options that could save you money, totaling about $50 a year. You also might see different promotional options or introductory sales on occasion. 

Some puzzles are still free

Though some puzzles are still free (see below), the fee for full Games access comes shortly after the New York Times added another online game, Pips, a form of dominoes.

«We now offer 10 distinct puzzles, a rich and diverse portfolio that reflects both the breadth of gameplay and the depth of experiences our team of puzzle editors and constructors has built,» a spokesperson for the Times told me in a statement. «With several games remaining free to play for all, our portfolio features a dynamic mix of free puzzles and subscriber-only offerings, creating opportunities for every kind of solver to engage with us, every day of the week.»

Obviously, the newspaper has to pay its puzzle constructors, editors and journalists. The old saying about how there’s no free lunch applies to games as well.

«Subscribers not only support our journalism but help us keep making the high-quality puzzles people love to play,» the statement said. «While we hope solvers will see the value in subscribing, we’re committed to ensuring there’s still a rich and enjoyable experience for those who don’t.»

These New York Times puzzles are still free to nonsubscribers:

• Sudoku
• Strands
• Pips
• Connections
• Wordle
• Connections: Sports Edition

Also, nonsubscribers have limited access to Spelling Bee, the puzzle that lets you make words out of certain letters. That puzzle allows non-Games subscribers to play up to a certain point number, then requires a subscription to keep playing.

Your library is your friend

If you just can’t afford a Games subscription, log in to your local public library.

I’m in Seattle, and the Seattle Public Library offers library cardholders free online access to its expanded New York Times subscription, which includes Games access and access to other Times divisions, such as Cooking and The Athletic.

If you’re still packing separate chargers for your iPhone and Apple Watch, this Labor Day deal might be your cue to simplify. The LISEN MagSafe Charger Stand is down to $11 on Amazon, half off its usual $22 price. It folds flat, fits in your palm and works with MagSafe-compatible iPhones and Apple Watches.

You’ll need to apply the on-page coupon to get the full discount, but once you do, you’re looking at a charger that doesn’t hog desk space or weigh down your bag.

This charger stand supports iPhone 12 through iPhone 16 models and Apple Watch Series 1 through 9, including Ultra. It includes a detachable 5-foot USB-C cable made of soft braided nylon, which feels more durable than the usual plastic cords.

There’s only one USB port, so it’s built for single-device charging at a time. The LED indicator lights confirm charging status, and the silver finish keeps things subtle. It’s not a full desktop dock, but for quick top-ups or overnight charging, it’s more than enough.

Inside the box, you’ll get the foldable MagSafe charger stand, a 5-foot nylon braided USB-C cable, and a user manual. LISEN also offers three-year brand support, which is a nice touch if you’re planning to use this daily. Just note: There’s no wall adapter included, so you’ll need your own USB-C power brick.

While this specific model hasn’t been reviewed by CNET yet, LISEN’s charging accessories have appeared in CNET’s MagSafe accessory coverage and seasonal deal roundups. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t take up half your desk and still gets the job done, this charger stand is a clean, travel-friendly pick.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

For more Labor Day tech markdowns, check out our full roundup of mobile accessory deals.

Why this deal matters

It’s rare to find a MagSafe-compatible charger under $15 that supports both iPhone and Apple Watch, especially one that folds flat and includes a braided cable. If you move between workspaces or travel often, this deal checks the boxes for portability, compatibility and value.

That said, if you’re looking to charge multiple devices at once (like your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously), this isn’t the charger for you. It’s built for one device at a time, and you’ll need to bring your own adapter. But if you’re after something simple, compact and reliable, this one’s worth a look.