IT General

SAVE $30: As of Feb. 14, get Super Mario RPG for Nintendo Switch for $29.99, down from its price of $59.99 at Woot. That's a discount of 50%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Super Mario RPG $29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Need a little more whimsy in your life right now? We could all use some cheering up for one reason or another lately, and a great Nintendo Switch game starring everyone's favorite plumber is the perfect thing to do it.

As of Feb. 14, you can get a physical copy of Super Mario RPG for Nintendo Switch at Woot for $29.99. That's $30 off its normal price of $59.99, and a discount fo 50%.

Super Mario RPG is a remake of the SNES original Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. It's a much different adventure for Mario and the gang as it swaps platforming for role-playing as Mario works to track down the Smithy Gang. After crashing into the Mushroom Kingdom and stealing pieces of Star Road, someone has to bring the to justice, and that's going to be Mario, obviously.

Instead of running through level after level smashing question blocks and collecting coins, you'll work with a party of characters as you battle through the game and learn skills while fighting off colorful enemies. It's a challenging and addictive twist on the typical Mario formula, and a fantastic remake at that.

If you're ready to jump in with a fun alternative to Mario's greatest platforming hits, don't miss grabbing this remake. It's a surefire way to put a grin on your face if you're going through dark times.

OpenAI has removed the ChatGPT orange warning boxes that indicate whether a user may have violated its content policy.

Model behavior product manager Laurentia Romaniuk shared in a post on X that they "we got rid of 'warnings' (orange boxes sometimes appended to your prompts)."

Romaniuk also put the word out for "other cases of gratuitous / unexplainable denials [users have] come across," regarding ChatGPT's tendency to play it safe with content moderation.

Tweet may have been deleted

Joanne Jang, who leads model behavior, added to this request, asking "has chatgpt ever refused to give you what you want for no good reason? or reasons you disagree with?" This further addresses the issue that ChatGPT would previously stay away from controversial topics, but also flag chats that seemed innocuous, like one Redditor who said their chat was removed for including a swearword in their prompt.

Tweet may have been deleted

Earlier this week, OpenAI overhauled its Model Spec, which details its approach to how the model safely responds to users. Compared to the much shorter earlier version, the new Model Spec is a huge document, outlining its approach to current controversies like denying a request to share copyrighted content and allowing discussion that supports or criticizes politicians.

ChatGPT has been accused of censorship, with President Trump's "AI Czar" David Sacks saying in a 2023 All-In podcast episode that ChatGPT "was programmed to be woke."

However, both the previous and current Model Specs say, "OpenAI believes in intellectual freedom which includes the freedom to have, hear, and discuss ideas." Yet removing the warnings raised questions about whether this is related to an implicit change in ChatGPT's responses.

An OpenAI spokesperson said this is not a reflection of the updated Model Spec and the change doesn't impact the model responses. Instead, it was a decision to update how they communicate its content policies to users. Newer models like o3 are more capable of reasoning through a request and therefore hypothetically better at responding to controversial or sensitive topics instead of defaulting to refuse a query.

The spokesperson also said OpenAI will continue to show the warning sign in certain cases that violate its content policy.

SAVE 25%: As of Feb. 14, you can get up to 25% off some of their bestselling sleep essentials. Plus, get an additional 10% off with code WELCOME10.

Opens in a new window Credit: FluffCo Up to 25% off at FluffCo Get an extra 10% off with code WELCOME10 Shop Now

Investing in high-quality bedding is one of the easiest ways to get a better night’s sleep. A quick swap from cheap, scratchy sheets and a pancake pillow set to luxe, hotel-grade linens, and a dreamy, down-filled comforter pillow combo can make all the difference. The only problem? Upgrading your sleep setup can get expensive fast, especially if you're looking to bring home that five-star hotel feel.

Luckily, FluffCo's Presidents’ Day Sale is offering shoppers up to 25% off some of their bestselling sleep essentials, including the ever-popular Down Feather Pillow and Down Blended Comforter. You can also get an additional 10% off with the code WELCOME10. And, if you spend $150, you’ll score a free pair of hotel slippers. (Spending $200 will get you a free linen spray, and $300 scores a free robe.)

SEE ALSO: Sleepmaxxing is TikTok's latest wellness trend, but does it really work?

So, whether you're in the market for a whole new bedding set or want to treat yourself to an extra-cozy pillow, now’s the time to shop.

Here are some of our top picks from the FluffCo Presidents' Day Sale:

• Down Alternative Pillow — $69 $115 (save $46)

• Hotel Lounge Robe — $119 $200 (save $81)

• Flat & Fitted Sheet — $149 $499 (save $350)

• Down Alternative Comforter — $149 $325 (save $176)

SAVE $159.01: As of Feb. 14, get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $639.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and its lowest price yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple Watch Ultra 2 $639.99 at Amazon
$799.00 Save $159.01 Get Deal

If you've been trying to decide on a new smartwatch, now's the time to lock one in. The Apple Watch is a great all-rounder of a pick that works well for just about everyone. But if you're looking for something more rugged and feature-rich that can do just about anything, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is your best bet, and it's on sale right now for its lowest price yet.

As of Feb. 14, get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $639.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $799. That's a discount of 20% and the lowest price we've seen so far. This price applies to the GPS + Cellular model with a Rugged Titanium case and Indigo Alpine Loop band.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the perfect companion for active users, thanks to its ability to withstand a variety of conditions while you run, cycle, hike, dive, and get out there and see the world. It has a 3000-nit display and a rugged build that you can take anywhere without having to worry about the repercussions. Bad weather? No problem. It keeps on ticking.

You get a whole suite of advanced tracking features, sleep analysis, and much more in addition to health features like fall detection and ECG monitoring as well. And if you don't want to use it for those things, it's still great for using for making calls, texting, and using your favorite wrist-based apps. And with up to 72 hours of battery life on Low Power Mode? You've got plenty of time to use it.

Time to lock your Ultra 2 in if you want to get it for the cheapest we've seen.

SAVE $350 As of February 14, the Lenovo Yoga 7i is on sale for just $549.99 ($350 off the usual price). It's our favorite Windows laptop under $1,000, so snag this deal while you can.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Yoga 7i (Intel Core Ultra 5 125U, Intel Graphics, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $549.99 at Best Buy
$899.99 Save $350.00 Get Deal

Convertible laptops are the best of both worlds. Why buy a laptop and a tablet separately when you can have both at the same time? Buying one is a no-brainer, in our opinion.

And it just so turns out that one of our favorite convertible laptops is sitting at a deep discount right now — the Lenovo Yoga 7i is just $549.99, which is $350 off the original price. It's one of our favorite budget laptops in general, as well as our top pick for Windows laptops under $1,000, so we definitely recommend snagging this deal while you still can.

SEE ALSO: Best MacBooks 2025: Which model would we buy?

In our review, we highlighted the Yoga 7i's satisfying, responsive keyboard, port variety, and performance for the price. "If you want a convertible laptop that can double as a tablet, handle basic tasks with ease, last a decent while on a single charge, and you don’t mind a dim display or occasionally glitchy trackpad, the Yoga 7i 14 is a great deal at $899. If it’s on sale, it’s a fantastic deal," wrote Mashable Freelancer Sarah Chaney. While the hinges could be stronger and the display could be brighter, they definitely aren't dealbreakers, especially at this price. If you're currently in the market for a new laptop and want the most bang for your buck, the Lenovo Yoga 7i is a great option while it's on sale for just $549.99 ($350 off). Grab yours while the deal is still live.

It's Valentine's Day, and what's more romantic than Pornhub? (Don't answer that.)

The ubiquitous tube site sent Mashable a map of the top relative searches across the U.S. in the week leading up to Love Day. The term is that searched more often in each state than in others.

Credit: Pornhub

In New York, searches wanted more "emotional" videos, and Wyoming was wholesome with "hugging." Contrast that with BDSM in Oregon and strap-on in Georgia.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free

You'll notice that many states are grayed out. Pornhub blocked 17 U.S. states (so far) due to age-verification laws, which are oftentimes requirements to submit ID to view websites with over a third of explicit content. The Supreme Court recently heard a case about age verification, but we'll have to wait a few months for the verdict.

For now, if Pornhub is blocked in your state, you won't know what terms make your fellow statespeople's hearts flutter, but you can use a VPN to access the site.

SAVE 20%: Get up to 20% off sitewide during Ruggable's Presidents' Day Sale. Use the code STARS.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable 20% off sitewide with promo code STARS Ruggable's Presidents' Day Sale Get Deal

As the weekend gets closer, more and more retailers are gearing up for the first big shopping event of the year — Presidents' Day. While this federal holiday is supposed to be a time to reflect on the legacy of America's founding fathers, it’s also become synonymous with some of the biggest sales and discounts of the year (especially on mattresses and other home goods — you can check out our full list of the best Presidents' Day sales).

One sale we were pleasantly surprised to see this year is Ruggable's Presidents' Day sale, where shoppers can get up to 20% off sitewide (select rugs are 15% off) on all of the brand's popular washable and stain-resistant rugs. Just be sure to use the code STARS at checkout to take advantage of the savings.

SEE ALSO: Honest review of Ruggable: Are the washable rugs worth the price?

Shop large area rugs, doormats, runners, and more at a discounted price to refresh your floors just in time for spring.

Rug deals to Shop at Ruggable:

• Desert Sumac Rug (3'x5') — $103.20 $129 (save $25.80)

• Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief Indigo & Ivory Rug (3'x5') — $143.20 $179 (save $35.80)

• Justina Blakeney Josephine Midnight Rug (3'x5') — $143.20 $179 (save $35.80)

• Linear Striped Multicolor Rug (4'x6') — $151.20 $189 (save $37.80)

• goop Salerno Soft Black Re-Jute Rug (3'x5') — $186.15 $219 (save $32.85)

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Feb. 14: OUR TOP PICK Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $639.99 (save $159.01) Get Deal BEST LAPTOP DEAL Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro $699.99 (save $650) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH TRACKER DEAL Tile Sticker (2-pack) $33.99 (save $11) Get Deal BEST SOUNDBAR DEAL Roku TV wireless soundbar $99.99 (save $50) Get Deal BEST BEAUTY DEAL Shark FlexStyle HD430 $209.99 (save $90 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

If you love discount shopping, we've got just the thing for you this Valentine's Day. We've rounded up five of the best deals we could find at Amazon, with standouts from top brands like Apple and Samsung. While Valentine's Day isn't exactly known for its great sales, Presidents' Day is. And since it's right around the corner as well, consider these deals a gift.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Feb. 14. Be sure to take a peek at our picks from Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 as well — many of those are still live, including a $38 pair of Sony wireless headphones and 23% off the Apple Pencil Pro.

Our top pick: Apple Watch Ultra 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $639.99 at Amazon
$799.00 Save $159.01 Get Deal

While it may not be the best choice for everyone, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is better than the basic Series 9 (and the Series 10, for that matter) in every way. It features a more durable titanium case, a programmable action button on the side, built-in LTE, a depth gauge and water temperature sensor, an emergency siren, and twice the battery life at up to 36 hours (up to 72 in low power mode). If you're a hiker, runner, swimmer, or diver, it packs advanced features the other Apple Watches lack. Snag the 49mm version on sale for just $639.99 at Amazon as of Feb. 14. That's 20% off and its lowest price on record.

Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro (Intel Core Ultra 5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $699.99 at Amazon
$1,349.99 Save $650.00 Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new laptop, you could do a lot worse than the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro. It packs an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor with Intel Arc Graphics, a 3K AMOLED 2x touchscreen, AKG Quad speaker, a new Knox security chip, and up to 18 hours of battery life. The 14-inch model weighs only 2.71 pounds and packs 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage — all for a grand total of $1,349.99. If you pick it up at Amazon as of Feb. 14, however, you'll pay just $699.99. That's 48% off and its best price to date. You'll also get Assassin's Creed for free.

Tile Sticker (2-pack) Opens in a new window Credit: Life360 Tile Stick (2-pack) $33.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $11.00 Get Deal

Tile's smallest Bluetooth trackers are best for finding household objects like your remote, glasses, keys, and other stuff that regularly goes missing. It sticks onto items (hence the name) to allow you to keep tabs on things around the house. Connect your device to the app and tap the tracking button to locate your lost items. Your Tile Sticker will sound off a loud ring when it's within Bluetooth range (up to 250 feet) or show you its most recent location on a map when it's outside that range. As of Feb. 14, you can grab a two-pack of these helpful trackers for only $33.99. That's 24% in savings and the lowest price on record.

Roku TV wireless soundbar Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku TV wireless soundbar $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Pair this Roku soundbar with your Roku TV sans cables and "drastically improve the sound," as our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) put it in their review. While it's not hefty on extra features, it's inexpensive and can add big, mostly balanced sound to your cinematic setup. There are even simple sound settings that lower loud commercials, boost voices, and optimize night listening. Already pretty affordable at $149.99, it's on sale at Amazon for just $99.99 as of Feb. 14. That's 33% in savings.

Shark FlexStyle HD430 Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle HD430 $209.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $90.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

The Shark FlexStyle is our favorite dupe of the ultra-expensive Dyson Airwrap. Mashable Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard found that it offered a nearly one-to-one experience with the Airwrap, noting that she couldn't imagine a reason why you'd choose Dyson's more expensive option instead. The HD430 system includes the auto-wrap curlers, a styling concentrator, an oval brush, and a paddle brush, making it ideal for straight and wavy hair. It's usually $299.99, but thanks to an on-page coupon, it's on sale for just $209.99. Just be sure to apply the coupon to get the discount.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

If there's a masked ball in a Regency romance, there's always going to be mistaken identities and secret trysts aplenty. And that's what's in store for Bridgerton Season 4, as you can see in this new behind-the-scenes teaser from Netflix.

Netflix has released a glimpse of the coming season that's all about Benedict Bridgerton, shown as part of a Valentine's Day panel with showrunner Jess Brownell, stars Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha (Sophie Baek), and Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte).

In the clip, you'll spy all your favourites back in their costumes and elaborate wigs, but there's particular focus on a masked ball and the line "Don't worry, I will not tell my mother." Is it warm in here?

The first three seasons of Bridgerton are now streaming on Netflix. Season 4's release date is TBC.

UPDATE: Feb. 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m. EST This article has been updated with the latest mattress deals for Presidents' Day 2025.

SAVE HUNDREDS ON A NEW MATTRESS: Presidents' Day sales offer some of the best savings of the year when it comes to buying a new mattress. Check out our top picks below.

The best Presidents' Day mattress deals already live Best mattress deal overall Purple Mattress $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal Best organic mattress deal Avocado Green Mattress $1,699 (save $300) Get Deal Best budget-friendly mattress deal Bear Original $649 (save $349) Get Deal Best bedroom-refresh deal Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress with free pillows, sheet set, and mattress protector $649 (save $1,015) Get Deal

Presidents' Day sales are here, offering awesome discounts on electronics, housewares, and something incredibly important to our wellbeing — mattresses. Presidents' Day sales in the mattress world tend to be some of the lowest prices available all year, which means this is an opportune time to upgrade.

While mattresses tend to incite an initial sticker shock reaction, they're important to our overall health. Our sleep quality impacts mood, cognition, the immune system, muscle recovery, and so much more. A good mattress offers comfort to lull you into a good night's rest while giving support to keep the spine and neck in proper ergonomic alignment.

SEE ALSO: Save up to $900 on a new mattress with the Purple Presidents' Day sale

You'll want to shop for a mattress that strikes this ideal balance between comfort and support. Since every sleeper has different preferences and ideal sleeping positions, choose a mattress that's designed for your particulars.

For example, side sleepers tend to sleep best with a mattress that offers a high amount of pressure-relief, supporting the hips and shoulders with no pain. Stomach sleepers might want something firmer to make sure the hips don't sink below the rest of the body.

If you tend to wake up with pains that weren't there when you went to bed or you can't remember the last time you slept on a new mattress, it's likely time for an upgrade. Shop these Presidents' Day mattress deals to score a big savings in price while ensuring you get restorative sleep each night.

Best mattress deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple Mattress (queen) $1,299.00 at Purple
$1,499.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Purple Mattress is unique in its use of the brand's GelFlex Grid. This two-inch layer is made with a hyper-elastic polymer that contours to the body. Boiled down, the material is great for relieving pressure and adding comfort. Since it's not a traditional foam material, it's also great for hot sleepers since its design allows for better airflow and it resists holding in heat.

Overall, the Purple Mattress has a medium-firm feel and includes a layer of the GelFlex Grid and two foam layers, in addition to a breathable cover. Plus, Purple offers a 100 night sleep trial, so you can sleep on the mattress in the comfort of your own bedroom for over three months to make sure it's the right bed for your sleep preferences.

Best organic mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Avocado Avocado Green Mattress (queen) $1,699.00 at Avocado
$1,999.00 Save $300.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Avocado Green Mattress focuses on organic materials, and the brand carries the certifications you'd want to see when paying that premium. The Avocado Green Mattress uses organic wool, cotton, and latex to construct the bed, in addition to supportive steel coils. In addition to the benefits of organic materials, latex is considered one of the most durable and long-lasting mattress materials.

The Avocado Green Mattress is a great option for anyone looking for a cooling and breathable mattress, since the coils naturally allow for heat to escape from the mattress. The standard version of the Avocado Green has a firmer feel, which is nice for back and stomach sleepers. But those who like a more cushioned feel or side sleepers can upgrade to the Medium version which introduces a pillow top or go with the Plush option.

Best budget-friendly mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bear Bear Original Mattress (queen) $649.00 at Bear
$998.00 Save $349.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Great sleep doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. If you're in a need of a new mattress that costs under $1,000, the Bear Original mattress in a queen size is on sale for just $649 during the brand's Presidents Day sale. The sale price also includes two free pillows for a whole bedroom refresh.

The all-foam Bear Original used three layers of foam support, with several layers focusing on breathability. The foam layers are designed to support to body while offering ergonomic alignment, making it less likely you'll wake up with neck, back, or hip pain. Bear considers the Bear Original to come with a medium-firm feel and it measures 10-inches in height.

Best bedroom-refresh deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nectar Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress (queen) + Accessories $649.00 at Nectar
$1,664.00 Save $1,015.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Nothing says spring more than a home refresh and if your mattress is over 10 years old, it's highly likely you need a new one. Since Presidents' Day sales offer some of the lowest prices of the year when it comes to mattresses, this is the perfect time to get an entirely new bedroom setup and the Nectar bundle offers an incredible deal. For just $649, the deal includes a queen-size Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress, two cooling pillows, a mattress protector, and a set of sheets. Typically, those items total $1,664 which means this bundle deal saves you over $1,000.

The Nectar Classic is an all-foam bed with three layers of foam, all below a cooling cover. The bed includes memory foam which is ideal for comfort and pressure relief. It's also one of the best materials for isolating motion, perfect if you share the bed with a partner who tosses and turns.

Another big benefit of shopping with Nectar is the brand's 365-night home trial for new mattresses which means you have an entire year to make sure you're truly sleeping well on the Nectar Classic.

More Presidents' Day mattress sales worth shopping:

• Amerisleep — save $500 on any mattress

• Awara — save 50% on select mattresses

• Beautyrest — save up to $900 on select mattress and adjustable base sets

• Big Fig — save $500 on any mattress with code PRES

• Birch — save 25% sitewide with code PRES25

• Brooklyn Bedding — save 30% sitewide wide with code PRESDAY30

• Casper — take up to 35% off sitewide

• Coop Sleep Goods — save up to 40% sitewide

• DreamCloud — save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles

• Helix — take 25% off sitewide and get three free products with Helix Luxe or Elite mattress

• Layla — take up to $200 off mattresses and get two free Layla Pillows

• Leesa — take 25% off mattress plus get two free pillows

• Lull — 50% off all mattresses

• Mattress Firm — up to 70% off all mattresses

• Naturepedic — take 20% off organic mattresses and bedding sitewide

• Nectar — save up to 50% on mattresses

• Nest — save up to 50% on mattresses and get a free bundle

• Nolah — take 35% off sitewide plus get two free pillows

• Parachute — save up to $650 on select mattresses

• Puffy — save up to $1,350 with code PRESIDENT

• Saatva — save up to $600 on mattresses

• Sealy — save up to $200 on select mattresses

• Silk & Snow — buy a new mattresses and get a free classic bedding bundle

• Sleep Number — save up to 50% on select mattresses

• Tempur-Pedic — save up to $300 on select adjustable mattress sets or qualifying mattress sets

• Tuft & Needle — save 20% on all mattresses

• WinkBeds — take $300 off mattresses

• Zinus — spend $750 and get an extra 10% off

Have you ever been frustrated by a friend or family member who never remembers things you've told them? That shouldn't happen with Google's Gemini chat bot anymore.

Google announced in a company blog post that Gemini can now recall past conversations you've had with it in order to enhance its responses in future ones.

It can summarize previous conversations or at least reference them when relevant to your current query. This should reduce the need to search through old chats you've had with Gemini, according to Google.

SEE ALSO: How to turn off Gemini in Gmail

You can also delete your chat history, if you'd prefer. Right now, this feature is only available to Gemini Advanced subscribers, and only in English.

Google says it will roll out to Google Workspace Business and Enterprise customers, as well as those who speak unspecified other languages, soon.

That's all fine, just as long as it doesn't use your previous conversations to fabricate facts about cheese.

The best deals from Samsung's Presidents' Day sale at a glance: Best TV deal Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K LS03D TV $899.99 (save $600 + save up to an extra $200 when you bundle with select speakers) Get Deal Best unlocked smartphone deal Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 (256GB) $1,599.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best earbud deal Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro $199.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (Bluetooth/WiFi, 40mm) $239.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best laptop deal Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best gaming monitor deal Samsung 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen. Mini-LED Curved Gaming Screen $1,749.99 (save $950 with on-page upgrade credit) Get Deal Best soundbar deal Samsung Q-series 5.1.2 ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar (HW-Q800D) $699.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best SSD deal Samsung Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 (1TB) $109.99 (save $20 + free EVO Select + Adapter microSDXC (64GB)) Get Deal

Presidents' Day (Feb. 17) is the first major shopping holiday of the year, and in the days ahead, retailers are chomping at the bit: Many of their sales have started well ahead of the long weekend, so there's really no need to wait to shop. That includes Samsung's Presidents' Day event, which has packed its online storefront chock full of deals on TVs, smartphones, wearables, laptops, and other premium gadgets from its roster — to the tune of up to $2,000 off.

SEE ALSO: Best Presidents' Day mattress deals in 2025: Shop Purple, Avocado, Nectar, and more

After poring over every single offer in Samsung's sale, which runs through March 1, I've rounded up the best offers in a list below. I've noted competing deals at other tech retailers if they've matched (or one-upped) any of my top picks — Best Buy and Amazon are definitely giving Samsung a run for its money, for what it's worth, so don't limit yourself to one retailer. I've also only included deals that don't require trade-ins, which can save you even more money if you're willing to fork over an old device. For the full list of deals from Samsung's Presidents' Day sale, head to its event landing page.

For even more savings, check out Mashable's master list of Presidents' Day deals around the web, plus our individual breakouts for Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart's programming. All of their holiday sales are already live, too.

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K LS03D TV $899.99 at Samsung.com
$1,499.99 Save $600.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The 2024 edition of the internet's favorite "art piece when it's off" TV earned a Pantone Validated ArtfulColor certification, a first for The Frame series. Translation: Its colors look super realistic. The larger sizes (55 inches and up) can also switch from a 120Hz refresh rate to a 60Hz refresh rate when in Art Mode, making them more energy-efficient than previous iterations. During Samsung's Presidents' Day sale, the 55-inch model is on sale for just $899.99 — an impressive 40% discount on its $1,499.99 MSRP. (If you want to go slightly bigger, the 65-inch model is marked down to $1,299.99, or 35% off.) Shoppers have the option of bundling their TV with their choice of two soundbars or Samsung's Music Frame speaker for an additional savings of $50 to $200.

For comparison's sake, the 55-inch The Frame was on sale at Amazon for $2 less at the time of writing (bringing it to an all-time low), but those bundle options weren't available there.

More TV deals48 inches and under

• Samsung 42-inch OLED S90D Gaming TV — $899.99 $1,399.99 (save $500)

• Samsung 43-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $1,099.99 $1,499.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 48-inch OLED S90D Gaming TV — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)

50 to 55 inches

• Samsung 50-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• Samsung 50-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $1,299.99 $1,599.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 55-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $849.99 $1,199.99 (save $350)

• Samsung 55-inch OLED S90D TV — $1,199.99 $1,999.99 (save $800)

• Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $1,499.99 $1,999.99 (save $500)

65 inches

• Samsung 65-inch Crystal UHD DU7200 TV — $399.99 $469.99 (save $70)

• Samsung 65-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K LS03D TV — $1,299.99 $1,999.99 (save $700)

• Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 4K QNX1D TV — $1,449.99 $2,199.99 (save $750) + free TV mounting and wall mount

• Samsung 65-inch OLED S90D TV — $1,499.99 $2,699.99 (save $1,200)

• Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $1,799.99 $2,699.99 (save $900)

• Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 8K QN900D TV — $3,999.99 $4,999.99 (save $1,000)

75 inches and up

• Samsung 75-inch Crystal UHD DU7200 TV — $599.99 $649.99 (save $50)

• Samsung 75-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $1,399.99 $2,199.99 (save $800)

• Samsung 75-inch Neo QLED 4K QNX1D TV — $1,649.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,350) + free TV mounting and wall mount

• Samsung 75-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $2,399.99 $3,299.99 (save $900)

• Samsung 77-inch OLED S90D TV — $2,199.99 $3,699.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 85-inch Crystal UHD DU7200 TV — $799.99 $1,099.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 85-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $1,999.99 $3,299.99 (save $1,300)

• Samsung 85-inch Neo QLED 4K QNX1D TV — $2,149.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,850) + free TV mounting and wall mount

• Samsung 85-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $2,799.99 $4,799.99 (save $2,000)

Best unlocked smartphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 (256GB) $1,599.99 at Samsung.com
$1,899.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We haven't reviewed last year's Galaxy Z Fold6, but our sister site PCMag deemed it "the best foldable phone money can buy, thanks to its refined design, powerful internals, top-notch cameras, and superb screens." Compared to the previous-generation Galaxy Z Fold5 (which we did try and love), it's a tad thinner, lighter, brighter, matte instead of glossy, and equipped with a newer CPU. The base model with 256GB of storage is now on sale on Samsung's website for $1,599.99, or 16% off its $1,899.99 sticker price — a solid $300 savings. You can bump it up to 512GB of storage for $120 more.

Samsung's Presidents' Day deal is matched at Best Buy during its own holiday sale, but their available colorways differ. Samsung's exclusive white and crafted black finishes are the options it's discounted, while Best Buy has the standard navy, pink, and silver shadow variants on sale.

More unlocked smartphone deals

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (256GB) — $809.99 $859.99 (save $50)

• Samsung Galaxy S25+ (512GB) — $1,019.99 $1,119.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB) — $1,299.99 $1,419.99 (save $120)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (1TB) — $1,419.99 $1,659.99 (save $240)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 (512GB) — $1,719.99 $2,019.99 (save $300)

Best earbud deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro $199.99 at Samsung.com
$249.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

PCMag also has the scoop on Samsung's latest noise-cancelling earbuds, praising their "comfortable fit, quality sound, and clever AI features," but knocking their battery life and limited compatibility with iPhones. You won't be able to use all of their features if you don't have a Samsung phone, so I'd probably only consider them if you're already nestled in the brand's ecosystem (same as their predecessors). Available in silver and white, they're on sale for $199.99 during Samsung's Presidents' Day sale — a 20% discount.

Some important fine print: Amazon and Best Buy are both offering the same deal, and the latter will give you an extra $10 off if you're a paid My Best Buy (Plus or Total) member.

More earbud deals

• Samsung Galaxy Buds3 — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

Smartwatch deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (Bluetooth/WiFi, 40mm) — $239.99 $299.99 (save $60)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (Bluetooth/WiFi, 44mm) — $269.99 $329.99 (save $60)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (Bluetooth/WiFi + 4G LTE, 40mm) — $269.99 $349.99 (save $80)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (Bluetooth/WiFi + 4G LTE, 44mm) — $299.99 $379.99 (save $80)

Laptop deals

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB eUFS) — $799.99 $899.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499.99 $1,699.99 (save $200)

Gaming monitor deals

• Samsung 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen. Mini-LED Curved Gaming Screen — $1,799.99 $2,699.99 (save $900)

Soundbar deals

• Samsung Q-series 3.1.2 ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar (HW-QS730D) — $649.99 $799.99 (save $150)

• Samsung Q-series 5.1.2 ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar (HW-Q800D) — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300)

• Samsung Q-series 9.1.2 ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Rear Speakers (HW-Q910D) — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $300)

• Samsung Q-series 11.1.4 ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Rear Speakers (HW-Q990D) — $1,699.99 $1,999.99 (save $300)

SSD dealsInternal SSDs

• Samsung 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (1TB) — $119.99 $139.99 (save $20)

• Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (1TB) — $129.99 $149.99 (save $20)

• Samsung 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (2TB) — $169.99 $219.99 (save $50)

• Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (2TB) — $179.99 $229.99 (save $50)

• Samsung 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (4TB) — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (4TB) — $319.99 $409.99 (save $90)

Portable SSDS

• Samsung Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 (1TB) — $109.99 $129.99 (save $20) + free EVO Select + Adapter microSDXC (64GB)

• Samsung Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 (2TB) — $139.99 $219.99 (save $80) + free EVO Select + Adapter microSDXC (64GB)

• Samsung Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 (4TB) — $259.99 $369.99 (save $110) + free EVO Select + Adapter microSDXC (64GB)

UPDATE: Feb. 14, 2025, 9:57 a.m. EST Updated with additional streaming deals as of Friday. Feb. 14.

The best Presidents' Day streaming deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Peacock Premium $29.99 for one year with code WINTERSAVINGS (save $50) Get Deal BEST LIVE TV STREAMING DEAL YouTube TV free 10-day trial, then $69.99/month for 6 months (save $78) Get Deal ANOTHER STREAMING DEAL Starz $5 per month for 3 months (save $17.97) Get Deal ANOTHER STREAMING DEAL Sling TV anniversary deal $10 off your first month, plus free AMC+ for 1 year and free Max for 1 month Get Deal

While Black Friday is undoubtedly the best time of the year to score epic streaming deals, it's not the only time. With Presidents' Day around the corner, we're keeping our eyes on our favorite streamers to round up any deals that pop up. Fortunately, a few have already surfaced.

Sure, these deals aren't technically labeled Presidents' Day streaming deals, but they're around for a limited time around the holiday, so why not call them what they are? The prices aren't quite as good as Black Friday season, but a deal is a deal. If you're looking to sign up for a new streamer this winter, snag these subscriptions before they disappear.

If any more streaming deals surface, we'll be sure to update this with the latest additions. For now, here are all the best Presidents' Day streaming deals live.

Best Presidents' Day streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premiuim $29.99 for one year with code WINTERSAVINGS (save 63%) Get Deal

Through Feb. 18, new and returning subscribers can sign up for an entire year of Peacock Premium (the tier with ads) for only $29.99 instead of $79.99 with the code WINTERSAVINGS. That's 63% in savings and undeniably the best streaming deal we've seen since Black Friday. Peacock is, in my humble opinion, the most slept-on streaming service around. Not only is it home to modern classic TV shows like New Girl, The Office, and Parks and Recreation, but also Peacock Originals that are definitely worth watching — including Poker Face, Based on a True Story, Love Island USA, and We Are Lady Parts. And because it's owned by NBC Universal, it's also where you'll find theatrical releases like Conclave, The Wild Robot, and Twisters. At just $30 for the whole year — only about $2.50 per month — it's practically a no-brainer.

More Presidents' Day streaming deals

• YouTube TV — free 10-day trial, then $69.99 per month for 6 months ($82.99 per month thereafter)

• Starz — $5 per month for 3 months ($10.99 per month thereafter)

• Sling TV 10-year anniversary deal — $10 off first month, free AMC+ for 1 year, and free Max for 1 month

• Fubo TV — Save $25 on Essential plan and $20 off Pro and Elite plans

• DirecTV Stream MySports — Save $50 on MySports Beta package for first three months

Evergreen streaming deals

• MGM+ — $58.99 per year $83.88 (save $24.89 per year)

• Paramount+ Essential — $59.99 per year $95.88 (save $35.89 per year)

• Paramount+ with Showtime — $119.99 per year $155.88 (save $35.89 per year)

• Hulu (with ads) — $99.99 per year $119.88 (save $19.89 per year)

• Disney+, Hulu, Max (with ads) — $16.99 per month $29.97 (save $12.98 per month)

• Disney+, Hulu, Max (no ads) — $29.99 per month $51.97 (save $21.98 per month)

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ (with ads) — $16.99 per month $31.97 (save $14.98 per month)

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ (no ads) — $26.99 per month $46.97 (save $19.98 per month)

PRESIDENTS' DAY DEALS: Presidents' Day 2025 is on Feb. 17, but Walmart has already started publishing great deals on products like the Samsung 65-inch DU6900 Crystal UHD TV. Don't miss out, shop now.

The best Presidents' Day deals at Walmart Best TV deal Samsung 65-inch Crystal UHD TV $348 (Save $121.99) Get Deal Best tablet deals 2022 Apple 10.9-inch iPad (WiFi, 64GB) $299 (Save $50) Get Deal Best headphone deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169.00 (Save $80) Get Deal Best laptop deal Asus Vivobook 15.6-inch Intel Core i5-1235U 8GB RAM 256GB SSD $299 (Save $100) Get Deal Best home deal Nutribullet PRO Single Serve Blender $49 (Save $29) Get Deal

Presidents' Day always seems to strike out of the blue. It's the first big shopping holiday of the year, with major deals across all categories. With savings on such a wide range of products, Walmart is a great place to shop. Walmart's Presidents' Day deals are already going live with sales on iPads, smart TVs, and much, much more.

Here are the Walmart Presidents' Day deals we're most excited about:

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch Crystal UHD TV $348.00 at Walmart
$469.99 Save $121.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If you need a new TV, you won't want to miss this smart TV deal. The Samsung 65-inch Crystal UHD TV is built for streaming and easy connectivity. Samsung Tizen OS makes it simple to flip between steaming services, Samsung TV Plus, and on-demand media.

SEE ALSO: The best Presidents' Day deals from Best Buy that are already live

Right now, the Samsung 65-inch DU6900 Crystal UHD TV is on sale for $348, saving you $121.99, or 25% off.

More TV deals

• onn. 65-inch UHD (2160P) LED Roku Smart TV — $298 $348 (save $50)

• Hisense 58-inch UHD LED LCD Roku TV — $248 $298 (save $50)

• Vizio 65-inch UHD LED HDR TV — $328 $428 (save $100)

Best tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2022 Apple 10.9-inch iPad (WiFi, 64GB) $299.00 at Walmart
$349.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

What can't you do with an iPad? Whether you're looking for a device on which to run art apps like Procreate, a game hub for your kids (or your parents), or a convenient productivity tool for studying on, an iPad is a great buy.

Right now, the 2022 Apple 10.9-inch iPad (WiFi, 64GB) is on sale for $299, for a savings of $50. That's 15% off.

More tablet deals

• onn. 10.4-inch Tablet Pro, 64GB (2023 Model) — $79 $129 (save $50)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE 10.9-inch 128GB — $298.99 $449 (save $150.01)

Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169.00 at Walmart
$249.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We're big AirPods fans. With Apple headphones staying largely similar edition after edition, it's easy to remain fans. These headphones retain a comfortable design. They'll follow you to the gym, onto the subway, and onto your couch at night.

In Apple AirPods Pro 2, excellent sound quality mixes with some high-end features like active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and a hearing aid feature. Get them now for $169.00 to save $80, or 33% off.

More headphone deals

• Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $99 $127 (save $28)

• JBL Tune 520BT — $37.99 $49.95 (save $11.96)

• Apple AirPods Max — $449 $549 (save $100)

Best laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Vivobook 15.6-inch Intel Core i5-1235U 8GB RAM 256GB SSD $299.00 at Walmart
$399.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a simple laptop for daily tasks, then the Asus Vivobook 15.6-inch Intel Core i5-1235U 8GB RAM 256GB SSD might be just the laptop you need. This affordable laptop won't have a ton of power for demanding tasks, but it's more than capable of surfing the web and streaming films, and might be able to keep up with less demanding games.

Currently, the Asus Vivobook 15.6-inch Intel Core i5-1235U 8GB RAM 256GB SSD is on sale for Presidents' Day for $299, saving you $100, or 25%.

More laptop deals

• Acer Chromebook 315 15.6-inch Intel N4500 4GB RAM 64GB eMMC — $139 $179 (save $40)

• Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch M1 Chip 8GB RAM 256GB — $629 $699 (save $70)

• MSI Thin 15.6-inch Intel Core i5 Nvidia GeForce 3050 16GB RAM 512B SSD — $628.90 $839 (save $210.10)

Best home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nutribullet nutribullet PRO Single Serve Blender $49.00 at Walmart
$78.00 Save $29.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Sometimes, one purchase can make all the difference in our health and well-being. An investment in healthier eating can do just that. The Nutribullet PRO Single Serve Blender is a countertop blender that could innovate your nutrition routine. Use it for quick, delicious smoothies in the morning or lavish pesto in the evening.

The Nutribullet blends with a press. It's safe, quick, and intuitive. Right now, the Nutribullet PRO Single Serve Blender is on sale for Presidents' Day at Walmart. Get it for $49 and save $29.

More home deals

• Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner 3369 — $87.94 $123.59 (save $35.65)

• Black+Decker 6-Slice Crisp 'N Bake Air Fry Toaster Oven — $59 $69 (save $10)

• Ninja Foodi 4-in-1 8-Quart 2-Basket Air Fryer with DualZone Technology — $129 $169 (save $40)

• Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum — $466.39 $649.99 (save $183.60)

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's World Network recently reported more than one in four people admit to flirting with a chatbot "either for fun or unknowingly." What constitutes unknowingly flirting? We have no idea, but Mashable's senior culture reporter Christianna Silva and tech reporter Cecily Mauran sat down to debate the modern-age-old question: Is dating an AI chatbot considered cheating?

AI @ Heart explores how AI is finding its way into our relationships, our dates, and our hearts.

On dating apps, everyone is trying to put their best face forward. For some, that's easy — maybe they're genetically gifted, have a knack for taking great selfies, or have friends who are photographers. But for many, filters and editing apps have become a go-to, even if they only use them for minor touch-ups. Now, with AI photo generators rising in popularity, I'm worried we're getting too far from reality.

At a dinner with friends last month, the conversation turned from AI to the fact that photos on dating apps don't always match a person's appearance. Sometimes, it's easy to tell, as they look different in every shot. Other times, it's much more challenging. That gave me an idea. What if I were to take an AI-generated headshot of myself and add it to my dating profile? After all, it's me — but also not me. Would people notice or call me out for it? 

The use of AI-generated photos on dating apps is not a new one, there’s an AI tool that creates photos specifically for dating apps, and people have started noticing AI-generated photos on other people’s profiles. Hinge's parent company Match Group declined an interview about whether it's aware of AI-generated photos being used on profiles and if it's doing anything about it. Instead, a representative said that Tinder, which is also owned by Match Group, is working on "an AI-powered tool to help select photos for profiles," which sounds similar to the one Bumble already uses.

To understand the appeal of using AI-generated photos in dating profiles, I decided to give it a try. And the result was soul-crushing. I, naively, never thought that the AI photo would be so popular compared to my other, real photos.

The rise of body dysmorphia

One of my favorite subreddits to peruse is r/InstagramReality. Redditors post edited or filtered photos and videos of other people — celebrities, influencers, and normal folks — they have found on social media, usually next to ones of what the person looks like in real life. 

Often, the editing or filtering is comically overdone and obvious. But, sometimes, Redditors have to point out where things warp or changes have been made to show that it’s not real.

It’s scary how rampant and excessive editing is getting. The comments in the subreddit often touch on body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) because, really, how else could people put some of these photos out there and think they look normal?

“It is actually a pretty common psychiatric disorder,” Evan Rieder, a board-certified psychiatrist and dermatologist in New York City, told Mashable of BDD.

About two to three percent of the population has BDD, said Rieder, and it is most likely under-diagnosed because people don’t always bring up their concerns to a mental health practitioner — and aestheticians don’t always ask why someone wants to change something. “They will basically fixate on something that is invisible or barely perceptible to the outside observer,” Rieder said. Mostly, this is the skin and hair; muscles are also significant for men. 

BDD isn’t just about poor body image, either — which is often influenced by societal ideals or because of how a person has been treated. It is a serious condition that is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. At some point, an individual with BDD has performed a repetitive behavior such as mirror checking or reassurance seeking, according to the manual’s fifth and most recent edition, or a mental act such as comparing their appearance with that of others.

“In the ‘90s, the only person that was able to give filtered images was, say, the art director at Vogue magazine, and they would make everybody look perfect.

“Now you have these apps, and you can swipe away all your imperfections and give this hyper-idealized version of yourself that's there for public consumption,” said Rieder. “People often make themselves look unrealistic or cartoony. And they think that some of these things are possible.”

How I generated my AI photos

You may have already heard about Remini, an app that was popular earlier this year when its AI-generated photos of people's potential future children started popping up on Instagram and TikTok. People have been using it this past week to generate '90s-style yearbook photos, as the EPIK app that originated the trend has sometimes been overloaded.

I decided to use Remini for my experiment rather than an app like Lensa, as the AI photos it produces look more realistic (albeit edited). It also has a ton of options for different backgrounds and clothes. To start, I had to sign up for a 1-week free trial, pick my gender: female, male, or other, and upload at least eight photos of myself. I chose two pictures from the past few years, then took the rest over the next few days in various locations and outfits from different angles.

These are four of the photos I used to train the AI model and generate the AI headshots in Remini. Credit: Saira Mueller

Once the photos were uploaded, I chose my first “model image” — the style the AI bases its generated pictures on — and had to wait about 17 minutes for it to work (the first time you generate after uploading photos takes longer, after that it drops down to about three minutes each time).

SEE ALSO: Hinge reveals the top 25 successful prompts

Then, it was a case of repetition to get photos that were anatomically and physically correct — the AI is bad at things like hands and generating necklaces, sometimes completely changed my body shape and weight, and one time even put my arm through a wall — and that also didn’t alter my facial features too much. I spent an embarrassing amount of time generating these photos. Ultimately, I chose four I wanted to use on my dating profile.

The four AI-generated headshots from Remini that I picked to use on my Hinge profile. Credit: Saira Mueller

The experiment, I decided, would be done on the dating app Hinge, as commenting on people’s photos and written prompts is at its core, and users still do so regularly. I put the images on my profile for one week each, rotating them out every Monday, alongside five of my actual, non-AI generated photos to see how they would stack up — tallying every like and comment.

The reality (pun intended) of the situation

I uploaded the first photo with the blue turtleneck at 10 p.m. Within 14 hours, I had five likes — all for that photo. Two days later, 60 percent of my likes were for that photo (the remaining 40 being split between my other five shots). By the end of that first week, the AI image had 17 likes and two comments. My non-AI photos, together, got 14 likes and two comments.

These are the five non-AI photos from my Hinge dating profile. Credit: Saira Mueller

That trend continued for the next three weeks, with the AI photos consistently performing better than (or at least equal to) the other photos collectively. If anyone noticed something off about the AI photos (for example, my ears disappear, and the irises aren't spherical in any of them), they didn't comment on it.

Here are six of the comments from men on Hinge about some of my AI-generated headshots. Credit: Saira Mueller

It was, frankly, off-putting to see these generic photos outperform the ones that show the real me — that show my personality, my interests, and my life. Yes, my written prompts got a healthy dose of likes and comments throughout those weeks. Still, it’s hard to remove the physical aspect of a dating profile from that equation — even on an app that foregoes swiping.

The reason the AI photos were likely so well received was summed up perfectly by ChatGPT.

I asked ChatGPT what the four AI-generated headshots have in common. This was its answer. Credit: Saira Mueller

When I asked it to point out the two AI-generated images out of four photos from my dating profile, ChatGPT said that it can be "challenging to definitively ascertain which ones are AI-generated based purely on visual inspection" but that "some common indicators of AI-generated photos can include perfect symmetry or too-perfect features."

The struggle between seeing perfect features all around you and looking in the mirror and only noticing all of your perceived imperfections is something I've dealt with since I was young. Perhaps it was because I began reading women's magazines at 12. Maybe it's because I was bullied endlessly around the same time due to my skin color, height, and acne, thanks to puberty. It could also be due to my Asian mother, who commented on everything from my hips to my eyebrows for as long as I can remember. Part of it is probably due to social media.

There’s nothing worse for a perfectionist with diagnosed anxiety than having a running tally of all the ways you fall short of your ideal physical self. I asked my housemate about three of the perceived issues on my list, things I’ve struggled to accept for a long time, and she said she has never noticed them — and couldn't see the issues even at the moment when I was sitting in front of her telling her about them.

Looking at the same thing over and over has an effect on you. Rieder explained it as the Mere Exposure Effect. While repeatedly noticing your perceived imperfections in the mirror can have a negative impact, so can the social media you consume.

“The more you see something, the more you find it to be attractive,” said Rieder of the Mere Exposure Effect. “The more images I see of glass skin, the more I’m going to be desensitized to it, and the more I'm going to think it's less strange, and the more I'm going to find it attractive.” Glass skin, for those who are unfamiliar, is a Korean beauty trend in which an individual’s skin has the appearance of glass due to how even-toned, poreless, and luminous it looks.

“Imagine this sort of information overload, showing you what you want to see or what you're thinking about — and then you're clicking on an image, and [social media is] showing you more and more and more of that,” Rieder said. “That can actually warp what you find to be attractive. And we see that all the time in the aesthetic fields.”

The recent shift towards magazines, brands, and shows like Naked Attraction putting natural, unedited bodies out there is a good step. And while I don’t recommend putting AI-generated photos on social media, let alone dating apps (seriously, don’t do it), I can understand why it’s an appealing concept.

It’s taken me a long time to love myself for who I am — something I’m still working on. And while I often wish we lived in a world where editing apps and filters didn’t exist, it’s our reality, and we have to be more aware of how it affects us.

Now that the AI-generated photos are off my dating profile, I get excited every time I see a notification. I know that the person who is interested likes me for who I am — no filters, no editing, and no AI.

You know that feeling of anguish when you’re trying to think of the perfect opening line on a dating app? Or when a match replies but you’re stressing at work and simply don’t have the capacity to think of something witty-but-chill-but-hilarious? Well, there’s an app for that now.

Welcome to the world of AI dating assistant apps. No, this isn't about fake photos or virtual girlfriends. Instead, apps like Rizz and WingAI are generating opening lines and conversation replies – all you have to do is upload screenshots of the profiles or messages. You can select different conversation tones from "NSFW" to "casual", and the aim is to remove some of the burden of modern dating.

Feeling uneasy? Think this marks the end of authenticity in the sorry minefield that is already the online dating scene? That it’ll never take off? Well, actually, a 2024 report by dating app Flirtini shows that a whopping 55 percent of people have already used AI, such as ChatGPT, to generate messages to send to dates. A 2024 study by McAfee shows that over one in four Americans (30 percent of men, 27 percent of women) also already use AI to enhance their dating profile – the next venture for Rizz and WingAI, and a feature already available on YourMoveAI.

Why are people using AI dating assistant apps?

So, who’s actually using these apps then? Have you been reeled in by AI without knowing? And is it really as creepy as it seems? I speak to regular AI dating app users and other daters to find out whether it’s the next frontier of modern dating. 

Artem, a 35-year-old accountant from Miami has been on Rizz for around eight months and uses it to replace pestering the group chat. "My friends are much funnier than me, so I’d often workshop clever responses with them for a match," he says. "But obviously, I can’t lean on them all the time and the AI app is available 24/7."

SEE ALSO: Why some people on dating apps just want to be 'pen pals'

As for how it works, for memorable openers he uploads a screenshot of his match’s dating profile and chooses the tone of "Rizz" – a relatively spicy, cheeky mode. The app suggests a selection of opening lines relating to the profile and Artem hits refresh, or adds in key words to focus on, until he finds one that suits. For help with conversations already on the go, he uploads a screenshot of the exchange and receives suggestions for his reply. Artem rarely copies and pastes directly, instead he uses the suggestions to get his own creative juices flowing.

"The other day it gave me the opening line of, 'If you had a third nipple, where would it be?' which I obviously didn't use, but it got me thinking," he says. "The girl I was talking to had loads of tattoos, so I asked her, 'If you had a tattoo and you could never show anyone, what would it be?'" Another reportedly successful opener – this time, for a woman who worked for a non-profit – reads: "Hey, so I'm hosting this charity event next week for people who can't reach orgasm. If you can't cum, please let me know."

I’ll just let that sit for a bit. 

I really did try to keep an open mind, but both of those lines pretty much turned my stomach. The cringe factor is toe curling, obviously, but the sexual innuendo side is just downright uncomfortable – a consistent problem I noticed when messing about on the apps myself. Practically 99 percent of the suggestions I got were unsendable, and if I’d received them from someone else, it’d likely be an immediate block . (Notably: "Hey there, amazing mind! Your intellect is arousing, but so is that naughty tongue of yours. wink") The apps claim to be trained with the help of male and female dating coaches, but surely no woman would sign that off?

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps for introverts who prefer books to bars

Artem insists it pays off with practice, though. His main reason for loving the app is down to dating fatigue – basically burnout and exhaustion from meeting new people and it going nowhere. "There's an element of exhaustion, for sure,” he says. “Chatting with one person is cool and fun, but it can be emotionally draining when you end up speaking to five or eight people at once while you try to decide who to choose to focus on." Using Rizz means he can devote less bandwidth to coming up with the kind of clever one-liners that reap success in the Tinder world.

This echoes a wider sentiment from app daters these days – that the process has somewhat lost its sheen and is now just a means to an end. A 2024 study by Forbes Health found that 79 percent of Gen Z report dating app burnout, with women feeling it more at 80 percent compared to 74 percent of males.

"If I have one more, ‘Hey, what's up? How are you?’ conversation I'm done."

That’s why Taylor, a 30-year-old vet from Florida, uses WingAI. "If I have one more, ‘Hey, what's up? How are you?’ conversation I'm done," she says. "Using the app opens the conversation up more, in a fun way. It helps with the fatigue and makes it more interesting."

Doesn’t all of this just create more admin in the dating process, though? Apparently not. "I was already going back and forth on Google, searching for fun openers relating to certain jobs," she says, a method Artem also used to use. Taylor uses WingAI to inspire her first lines on Bumble but, like Artem, always edits the suggestion to make it sound more like her personality. "I don’t always like the ideas, but they give me an idea of where to go with it," she says. "I make sure it’s a bit of a hybrid between me and the app."

As for the authenticity of it all, Taylor thinks it’s only as inauthentic as the rest of online dating. "Dating on the apps is always fake and superficial to begin with. You match based on what someone looks like and the highly curated persona they put out there," she says. "As long as AI isn’t having the entire conversation for you, I don’t see the problem."

It's a fair point. Polishing your profile can take hours, weeks and more friends than you’ve had dates. The witty Hinge prompt that sold you on someone could easily be their bezzie mate’s humour, not theirs. There are the outright liars to consider, too: According to a recent Forbes Health survey, close to one in five adults polled claim to lie about their age, with men even more likely to tweak their numbers at 23 percent compared to 19 percentof women. Other reported fibs include income (14 percent), height (12 percent), as well as hobbies and interests (14 percent). Think of all the people paying for premium dating app accounts as well, which offer various leg-ups like sorting your potential matches by who’s most likely to be responsive – whether that’s a new member or someone active today.

"If I completely relied on the app suggestions and didn’t work in my personality then, yes, it would be an inauthentic representation of myself."

Bangalore-based Dhruv, 25, agrees with Taylor. "If I completely relied on the app suggestions and didn’t work in my personality then, yes, it would be an inauthentic representation of myself," says the UX designer who’s been using DatingAI.pro regularly for the past three months. “But I’d also screw up big time when it comes to actually meeting in-person.” He believes you can hardly trick someone into a relationship through using an AI app because texting is such a small part of building that spark – you have to meet them or speak to them at some point.

"The app is more about effective initial exchanges and assisting me to be my best self," adds Artem. "Each user is still making the decisions about what to send and what not to send. For every line I use, there might be 12 that I throw away."

Are dating AI assistants any good?

So how successful is it, actually? Dhruv claims he’s already seen drastic results: "I used to receive one to two matches per week, but after using DatingAI I’ve started receiving six or seven." This success rate is even higher than the hefty promise WingAI makes of increasing your reply rate by 250 percent. Artem feels like his success has stayed the same, but the app has grown his confidence and lowered his stress levels. He sees no shame in using the app, either. "I'm 35, so when I was in high school dating apps didn’t exist and people meeting on the internet was a huge stigma," he continues. "But now the internet and dating on the internet is our default. I don’t see why these apps wouldn’t become a normal part of the process."

But what do daters who’ve never heard of these apps think of all this? London-based Talia, 31, thought it sounded like a slippery slope in the already confusing dating game at first. "If this becomes the norm, surely it means so much extra time wasted going on dates only to find they’re nothing like they came across in their messages?" she says. After more consideration, though, she was thrilled at the prospect of more interesting conversations, but actually testing the apps left her disappointed. "If they gave genuinely good suggestions, I’d be all over it. 

I find myself in Talia’s camp. Frankly, I’m a convert to the actual concept in theory. But the current offerings just don’t hit well enough yet. There’s the price point to consider, too: YourMoveAI is £4.99 per week (scaling cheaper per month and year), WingAI and Rizz are flat fees of £6.99 and a whopping £9.99 per week, respectively.

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps and sites in August 2024

And the biggest point of all still looms large: asking a non-sentient computer program that isn’t capable of love or sex is simply not the same as asking a friend you know and trust, a real-life person who’s actually been on dates before. Plus, could these apps be teaching a whole generation of men with poor flirting or social skills that it’s normal to start off conversations with such inappropriate sexual innuendos? And it is mostly men. Rizz members are currently 66 percent male, while YourMove.AI’s rises to 85 percent and DatingAI.pro a whopping 99 percent.

If the apps can get cheaper and better, they could change the dating game. But more women, and perhaps young people who actually have game, need to be brought in to help programme the software. What do women want? Well, it’s certainly not to be asked about third nipples.

The Art of Unix Programming (TAoUP), by Eric S. Raymond, is not a tutorial or how-to book. Instead, it is a book about the history and philosophy of Unix. But no other book has had a greater influence on my approach to Linux/macOS, or my everyday use of it. Here are just a few of the things it has taught me.

Need more proof that Elon Musk's DOGE team, apparently in charge of making the U.S. government more efficient, has no idea what they're doing?

Here goes: The DOGE.gov website, created to document the findings and changes implemented by DOGE, can apparently be edited by anyone, as the database access has been left wide open.

The first to report this was 404Media, who spoke with two unnamed security researchers confirming the security flaw — if it indeed can be called that, as it appears that there's no "security" of any kind implemented here.

SEE ALSO: Cybersecurity group sues DOGE over data access

As of this writing, two pages on the DOGE.gov site have been defaced, with one saying "THESE "EXPERTS" LEFT THEIR DATABASE OPEN - roro" and the other "This is a joke of a .gov site."

Sigh. Credit: DOGE.gov/unknown hacker

404Media's sources say that the DOGE.gov site was seemingly built on a Cloudflare Pages site that's not hosted on government servers. The examples listed above were created by one of the outlet's sources as to illustrate how insecure the site is.

"Feels like it was completely slapped together. Tons of errors and details leaked in the page source code," they said.

DOGE is a new initiative, started by Trump's administration and led by Musk, tasked to reduce inefficiencies and modernize the federal government. Despite the complex and delicate nature of this task, DOGE has apparently been staffed by college grads with little to no government experience.

Just a few days ago, the newly created Waste.gov site was hidden behind a password after going live with a default WordPress template. Great going so far, dudes.

Featured Video For You 7 ways Mark Zuckerberg changed Meta ahead of Trump’s inauguration

The National Park Service has removed all mentions of the words "transgender" and "queer" from its web page dedicated to the Stonewall National Monument, a site that marks a landmark moment for LGBTQ rights quite literally led by transgender and gender non-conforming people.

The site's online hub for the New York visitor centre and park honouring the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a turning point for LGBTQ activism and civil rights in America, now only makes reference to "LGB civil rights," omitting the T and Q representing transgender and queer people in the acronym.

The changes come after anti-LGBTQ executive orders signed by President Donald Trump upon his inauguration, one stating that the federal government now only recognises two sexes, male and female, which medical and legal experts have criticised for biological inaccuracy and ignorance of sexual and gender diversity, and erasure of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people in America. The Trump administration has been systematically erasing LGBTQ mentions and content from the White House website and federal agency websites.

SEE ALSO: Resources for people worried about Trump's anti-LGBTQ executive orders

Using the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, Mashable can see the NPS' Stonewall National Monument site has been updated within the last two days.

Here's what it used to look like on Feb. 12:

Credit: Mashable screenshot: National Park Service

And here's what it looks like after Feb. 13:

Credit: Mashable screenshot: National Park Service

The removal of mentions of transgender and queer people from the NPS' Stonewall National Monument website marks a dark, infuriating, unjust day for LGBTQ rights and representation in America. It's a cruel, calculated move that quite literally erases transgender and queer people from a site dedicated to a historical moment of resistance led by trans people of colour and genderfluid people including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.

"This blatant act of erasure not only distorts the truth of our history, but it also dishonors the immense contributions of transgender individuals — especially transgender women of color — who were at the forefront of the Stonewall Riots and the broader fight for LGBTQ+ rights," said organisers at NYC non-profit Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative and the Stonewall Inn (which is physically part of the National Monument) in a statement.

"This decision to erase the word ‘transgender’ is a deliberate attempt to erase our history and marginalize the very people who paved the way for many victories we have achieved as a community. It is a direct attack on transgender people, especially transgender women of color, who continue to face violence, discrimination, and erasure at every turn."

"This decision to erase the word ‘transgender’ is a deliberate attempt to erase our history and marginalize the very people who paved the way for many victories we have achieved as a community." - Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative and the Stonewall Inn

GLAAD also published a statement, describing the decision as "yet another example of the Trump administration’s blatant attempts to discriminate against and erase the legacies of transgender and queer Americans."

"The Stonewall Uprising – a monumental moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights – would not have happened without the leadership of transgender and gender non-conforming people," the statement continued. "The tireless work of Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and countless other trans women of color paved the way and continue to inspire us. You can try to erase our history, but we will never forget those who came before us and we will continue to fight for all those who will come after us.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul took to Twitter to call the move "cruel and pettty."

Tweet may have been deleted

"Transgender people play a critical role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights — and New York will never allow their contributions to be erased," she wrote.