Technology

Netflix's release slate for 2026 is full of surprises and new faces, but there are also some returning titles and characters that come with a side of nostalgia. The year is a great one if you're a cinephile, and whether you're looking for a good laugh, cry, or adrenaline pump, the platform has something for every mood.

When you think of dating apps, you probably think about Tinder. Approximately 50 million people use the app each month, according to its website, and it's been downloaded over 630 million times. So it makes sense if you've heard of it before — but you might still have questions about what Tinder is and how it works. 

You've come to the right place. Scroll through for the answers to the top questions about Tinder.

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt What is Tinder?

Tinder is a dating app that launched in 2012. Once you make an account, you swipe right to "like" someone's profile — trying to match — and swipe left to "skip" it. In 2026, the swipe model is everywhere on dating apps, but over a decade ago, it was pretty novel. Tinder has evolved over the years from a "hot or not" copy, though, installing safety checks, facial recognition, and robust bio features like adding what you're looking for and personality traits. 

Is Tinder free?

Yes, there is a free version of Tinder — but, like every dating app, there are paid versions that offer more features. For example, if you accidentally swipe left on someone and want to reverse the decision, you'll have to pay Tinder to do so. 

It's free to match and message on Tinder, but free users have limited swipes per day. You also can't see a list of who has liked you, nor can you go incognito or use the Passport feature to swipe in another location. For those features, you'll have to pay for one of three Tinder subscriptions (Plus, Gold, or Platinum).

Here's what every tier gets you:

Tinder Plus

• Unlimited likes

• Unlimited rewinds (reversing a left swipe)

• Passport to any location

• Hide ads

• Incognito mode

Tinder Gold

All Plus features, and:

• See who likes you first

• "Top picks" every day, or curated matches

• Weekly Super Likes (the potential match will know you liked them before they swipe_

• One free Boost a month (this puts you at the top of profiles)

Tinder Platinum

All the aforementioned features, and:

• Message before matching

• Prioritized likes

• See the likes you've sent in the last week

How to get unbanned from Tinder

How to get unbanned from a dating app is a question that users on social media have been asking for years because it's so elusive. While we can't guarantee you'll get your account back, you can appeal the decision if you believe you were banned in error or unfairly. Go to Tinder's Appeals Center, find the violation you want to appeal, and select it. Begin the appeal, and then submit it. You can appeal multiple violations if you wish.

According to Tinder's Help Center article, you'll then receive one of two outcomes to the appeal: approved, meaning the violation was reversed, or denied, meaning the violation was reinforced. 

How to delete your Tinder account

Had enough of the dating app? You can delete your Tinder account by signing into the app or browser version, tapping your profile icon, going to Settings, scrolling to the bottom, and tapping Delete Account.

You can also use the Manage My Account tool. Sign in, tap Delete Account, and confirm.

How to cancel Tinder Gold

Mashable has a whole guide on how to cancel Tinder Gold or other paid Tinder subscriptions if you no longer want to pay for them.

How does Tinder work? How do you use Tinder?

Tinder users are presented a "stack" of profiles. It's your job to swipe through them. If someone seems appealing, swipe right — you might match. You can only message people if you match (unless you have a Tinder Platinum subscription). If you're not feeling the conversation or vibe, you can unmatch someone; they can unmatch you, too.

How to pause your Tinder account

While not called "pause," you can hide your Tinder profile from other people. To do this, tap on your profile icon on the Tinder app or browser, go to Settings, scroll to Enable Discovery, and toggle it off.

You won't be shown to new profiles, but people you already swiped right on will be able to see you, and you can still see and chat with existing matches.

Amazon Alexa and Google Home are two of the most popular smart home ecosystems. They're simple to set up and use and work fine for basic automations. While these systems have their place, there are multiple ways in which the free and open-source Home Assistant smart home software is better.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Feb. 4, Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones have dropped to $39.98 at Amazon. This deal saves you $30.01 off the list price of $69.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore by Anker Q20i Headphones $39.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $30.01   Get Deal

Are you on the hunt for new headphones that don't come with a hefty price tag? The Soundcore by Anker Q20i have a much more affordable price tag than higher-end models and yet still offer quality. This is especially true right now, as select models of the Q20i have dropped below $40 at Amazon.

Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones are on sale for $39.98 at Amazon. This is just over $30 off their list price of $69.99, and also incredibly close to their lowest-ever price of $37.99.

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Whether you plan for the Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones to keep you company on your next flight or on a long commute into work, they feature Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling that helps to reduce up to 90% of noises around you. That certainly helps to keep chatty people or loud sounds from interrupting what you're listening to. Pair that with high-quality sound from 40mm dynamic drivers and up to 40 hours of battery life when the noise-cancellation feature is on, and you're all set for a solo listening party.

Keep in mind that both the black and white headphones are marked as limited-time deals right now, so act fast to grab these Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones on sale.

There's plenty more budget-friendly headphones worth your time and money. If you're curious what else is worth a look, check out our rundown of the best budget headphones for more recommendations.

For most of my working life, Outlook hasn’t really been optional. It’s been the default, tied to work accounts and expectations, and over time it’s grown heavier. More features, more panels, more badges, and more interruptions, many of them designed to keep email front and center at all times. Instead of helping me manage my email, Outlook started to feel like it was managing my attention, constantly reminding me that there was something new, something unread, or something I should probably deal with right now.

Fears that Donald Trump may interfere with — or even cancel — the midterms are growing, and The Daily Show host Michael Kosta isn't taking the comments lightly.

"Forgive me for being serious for a moment, but the president suggesting that he might cancel the midterms appears to be the inflection point toward a dictatorship that our nation cannot return," he says. "This is serious."

Cue footage from January of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responding to a reporter's question about the comments by saying that Trump was "simply joking".

"Oh hahahah, it's a joke!" says Kosta. "Forget it, it was a joke! Phew, that is a relief, oh my God. I guess I was worried that it wasn't a joke, because it's a little unusual for a president to joke about cancelling an election. And also this particular president actually did try to overturn an election, so I guess I don't get the joke?"

Kosta goes on to discuss Trump's recent suggestion that Republicans should "take over the voting", as well as the FBI's recent raid of Georgia's election office.

"I think it's pretty clear that Trump is not joking about meddling in the election this year," says Kosta. "And the only way we can prevent it is if everyone stands up to stop it. Especially Republican."

Running your smart home with Home Assistant requires a bit more of a hands-on approach than using a rival system from the likes of Google or Amazon. Sometimes, it’s hard to quantify how well you’re doing, but one third-party integration aims to make that a little easier with a numerical score.

Three, two, one...it's Fallout: New Vegas remastered a penthouse.

Prime Video's hit Fallout TV series generated buzz around the future of the Fallout video game series with a tantalising countdown on the Amazon show's website. Promising a reveal to coincide with the Season 2 finale on Tuesday, the site had fans speculating about the arrival of a new Fallout game or a remaster of either Fallout 3 or Fallout: New Vegas.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2 is full of game details. Here's a handy guide.

Alas, it was neither, but was instead revealed to be a small Easter egg on the website's map, which includes key Fallout locations featured in the show. This we saw coming — as Mashable's Alex Perry wrote on Jan. 8, "If you scroll to the upper right corner of the map, there's a mysterious countdown timer that ends on Feb. 4, the day that the final episode of Season 2 airs. Of course, everyone is wondering what will happen when that timer expires."

Now, that part of the map includes antagonist Robert House's penthouse atop his New Vegas casino Lucky 38. It's a key location both in Fallout: New Vegas and the Fallout series' second season.

See the penthouse in the upper right corner? That's new. Credit: Amazon / Mashable screenshot

Like the other locations on the map, you can click on the penthouse and explore some behind-the-scenes set photos and interviews with the production team of Fallout and star Justin Theroux, who plays Mr. House.

Credit: Amazon / Mashable screenshot

So, the only Fallout future buzz is that Amazon has already confirmed Season 3 of the series, Nintendo Switch 2 is getting the Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition sometime in 2026, Fallout 76 has a Valentine's release, and Fallout 5 set for...yeah, that's not going to happen for an age.

For now, enjoy the Fallout series game Easter eggs and bring me a bottle of Bobrov's Best Moonshine.

Featured Video For You People are freaking out about 'Fallout' — but are they right?

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection is down to $169.91 at Amazon. That's $80 off its $249.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection $169.91 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80.08   Get Deal

Since launching during the Phantasmal Flames era of Pokémon TCG, the Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection has rarely dipped far below $200, but sellers on Amazon have been delivering some great discounts lately. 

As of early February, the collection is listed for $169.91, representing a 32% discount on its standard $249.99 list price. While it has not reached market price just yet, it still massively undercuts TCGplayer when shipping costs are taken into account.

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Inside, buyers get 18 booster packs spanning multiple modern sets (Phantasmal Flames, Mega Evolution, Destined Rivals, Journey Together, and Surging Sparks), along with two foil promo cards: Mega Charizard X ex and Oricorio ex. The box also includes a full suite of premium accessories, such as 65 themed card sleeves, a Mega Charizard X playmat, deck box, metal coin, six damage-counter dice, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

If you’re hoping to buy more Pokémon TCG product from Amazon, you can also get the Pokémon TCG: Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box for $15 off. You can also get the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Booster Bundle at around $7 off. 

SAVE $50: As of Feb. 4, every color of the Fitbit Sense 2 is discounted to $199.9 at Amazon. This is $50 off its list price of $249.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Sense 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.95 Save $50   Get Deal

A fitness tracker is a worthy investment for those looking to see how they're progressing with their fitness goals or trying to keep a close eye on aspects of their health. If you've been thinking about making a move into the world of fitness trackers and smartwatches, it's always nice to pick one up on sale rather than pay full price. Thankfully, Amazon is offering some nice discounts at the moment, including on the Fitbit Sense 2.

As of Feb. 4, Amazon has dropped the price of the Fitbit Sense 2 to $199.95 from its list price of $249.95. This saves you a grand total of $50. Plus, every color is on sale right now. Choose between the shadow grey/graphite, lunar white/platinum, or blue mist/pale gold tracker, which are all at the same price.

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This is a great tracker for those with workout goals, with features like all-day activity tracking, 24/7 heart rate tracking, over 40 exercise modes, and more. The Fitbit Sense 2 also has a variety of wellness features that are just as helpful. Some of these include all-day stress detection, irregular heart rhythm notifications, a sleep score, and mindfulness content to help you feel a bit healthier in every aspect of life.

These are some of the features that intrigued writer Lois Mackenzie, who wrote in a breakdown of the Fitbit Sense 2 that, "It prioritizes things like stress, sleep, and recovery just as much as steps and heart rate, which makes it stand out in a market that often focuses purely on smashing PRs."

If it's caught your attention, now is your chance to grab the Fitbit Sense 2 for $50 off at Amazon

SAVE $30: As of Feb. 4, the Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) is on sale for $219 at Amazon. Normally it's listed for $249, so this 12% discount saves you $30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 $219 at Amazon
$249 Save $30   Get Deal

If you're part of the Apple ecosystem and want one of the brand's smartwatches, now is a great time to invest. The Apple Watch SE 3 — our pick for the best smartwatch for most people — has dropped down to $219 at Amazon.

Considering it's usually listed for $249, this deal on the Apple Watch SE 3 saves you $30 in total. Not to mention, both the starlight and midnight smartwatches have dropped to this price, so you can pick whichever model suits you best.

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For those who aren't looking to drop a lot of money on a fancy, feature-dense smartwatch, the Apple Watch SE 3 covers the health and fitness basics. It includes plenty of different features, such as an activity tracker, heart rate monitor, temperature sensing, a daily sleep score, and sleep apnea notifications, alongside safety features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS. On top of that, it boasts a battery life of up to 18 hours.

As for why we consider it the best smartwatch for most people, Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth notes in our roundup of the best smartwatches that "You get 98 percent of what you need from an Apple Watch or fitness tracker, and at a much better price." So why not grab it when it's even lower than usual?

Don't miss out on the Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) down to $219 at Amazon. And if you're hoping to get its more high-tech sibling, the Apple Watch Series 11 is also on sale right now at Amazon.

Popular YouTuber and filmmaker Markiplier confirmed his blood ocean submarining horror movie Iron Lung is getting an extended run after nearly taking the top spot at the weekend domestic box office.

In a stream late Monday night, Markiplier broke down Iron Lung's performance to his followers, which competed neck-and-neck with Sam Raimi's castway horror Send Help before falling to second place for the weekend in the domestic box office.

At the end of the weekend, Send Help earned $19.1 million at the domestic box office while Iron Lung earned $17.8 million, according to Box Office Mojo.

SEE ALSO: 'Send Help' review: GLOP! You're not ready for Rachel McAdams' latest... but I love it

The difference with Iron Lung is that it didn't have a studio-backed marketing strategy. Instead, it was mostly Markiplier speaking directly to his fans and those curious about his independent project.

"Your audacity should be stopped," Markiplier said. "Not by me, I’m not gonna stop you."

Markiplier, whose real name is Mark Fischbach, was named to our Mashable 101 list in 2025 for building a massive audience as a gaming streamer whose fanbase have continuously supported his growing creative endeavors.

"This wouldn’t have happened without you guys," Markiplier said. "It’s fundamentally astonishing."

In addition to an extended theatrical run, Markiplier confirmed he is working out the details for home release, including DVD, Blu-ray, and digital.

"That is all being worked," Markiplier said. "We’re still doing it independently from start to finish."

Markiplier covered a lot of ground over the course of the video, describing the process of making and release Iron Lung as "another step to learn" as he looked to the future.

"Finally, I can feel like I can feel like I can have a foothold to start climbing again," Markiplier said.

Iron Lung is now showing in cinemas.

Not every great app costs hundreds of dollars a year in subscription fees. Whether you're looking to edit photos or work with PDFs, here are some of the best free Windows apps available.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Sleeved Booster Pack Lot is down to $66.96 at Amazon. That's $23 shaved off its usual $89.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Sleeved Booster Pack Lot $66.96 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $23.03   Get Deal

Amazon has surprisingly dropped the price on one of the most sought-after Mega Evolution-era Pokémon TCG bundles, making now a great time to stock up if Phantasmal Flames is still on your hit list. As of Feb. 4, the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Sleeved Booster Pack Lot is down to $66.96 at Amazon, saving you $23 off its $89.99 list price. 

This sealed lot includes eight sleeved Phantasmal Flames booster packs, each containing 10 cards, for a total of 80 trading cards pulled directly from the expansion. This bundle works out to just over $8.37 per pack. With individual Phantasmal Flames boosters on Amazon going for $9.87 right now, you’re saving $12 compared to buying eight separately.

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Released as part of the Mega Evolution era, Phantasmal Flames features over 120 cards and introduces more Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, along with a lineup of Trainer cards and more than 15 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations. It’s an expansion of the Mega Evolution set that’s proven popular with collectors chasing flashy pulls, particularly those drawn to the darker, more vivid art style this collection is known for — like the Special Illustration Rare Mega Charizard X ex worth $644 or the golden Mega Hyper Rare version.

Amazon is also offering free delivery, with faster shipping available depending on your location. Given how quickly sealed Mega Evolution stock tends to dry up once prices dip, this is the kind of deal that may not stick around for long.

For more Pokémon TCG deals from this expansion, you can also get the Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box for $15 off at Amazon. Meanwhile, the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is still available for around $7 off.

Another day, another press conference in which the U.S. president insults a female reporter.

In the clip above, Jimmy Kimmel recaps a recent interaction in which Donald Trump told CNN news anchor and chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins "I don't think I've ever seen you smile" after she asked him a question about the latest batch of Epstein files.

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"We are now at the 'women should smile more' stage of his presidency," says Kimmel. "I'm trying to think of a worse time to tell a woman to smile more than when that person is a reporter asking about the Epstein victims — I can't."

Elsewhere, Kimmel also responds to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche telling Fox News' Laura Ingraham that "it is not a crime to party with Mr Epstein."

"That's right. It's also not a crime to borrow a bottle of baby oil from Diddy," says Kimmel. "They're not crimes. Stop being such a buzzkill, everybody."

SAVE $160: As of Feb. 4, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 is on sale for $499.95 at Amazon. That's a 24% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 $559.95 at Amazon
$659.99 Save $100.04   Get Deal

If you're a chronic allergy sufferer, an air purifier can make a noticeable difference around the home. It can help ease allergy symptoms, but also help cut down on pet hair and dust before they become an issue. It can also tackle cooking smells and generally improve how clean and fresh the air in your home feels.

The Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 is one of the best purifiers on the market, and it's on sale right now. As of Feb. 4, this unit is down to its lowest-ever price, now just $499.95. That's a saving of $160 on list price.

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This Dyson purifier works by using a fully sealed filter system that combines a HEPA filter with an activated carbon layer to trap tiny particles, allergens, and pollutants, while also removing gases and everyday odors. The entire unit is sealed to HEPA H13 standards, so anything it captures stays inside the machine; nothing sneaks back out into the air.

And it also works as a fan and heater, circulating clean air throughout the room, perfect for cooling in summer and warming spaces in winter. You can even see how good (or bad) the air quality is through the MyDyson app.

Get this Dyson deal from Amazon now.

LibreOffice is one of the best alternatives to Microsoft Office and Google Docs, and now it's rolling out a major update. LibreOffice 26.2 has arrived with some new features, compatibility improvements with Microsoft Office, and faster performance.

I haven't charged the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 wireless keyboard once since set-up, and that's the point. While its solar charging is nearly its only special feature, it does what it does well, delivering an excellent typing experience, long-lasting battery life, portability, and multi-device support.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a sports fan.

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.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 4, 2026 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: A dispute

• Green: Possibility

• Blue: Estimated

• Purple: Basketball clubs

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Contention

• Green: Games of chance

• Blue: More or less, colloquially

• Purple: Starting with NBA teams

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 #969 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Contention: CONFLICT, DISCORD, FRICTION, RIVALRY

• Games of chance: BINGO, CRAPS, LOTTERY, WAR

• More or less, colloquially: APPROX, BOUT, LIKE, ROUND

• Starting with NBA teams: BULLSEYE, HEATED, MAGICAL, NETSCAPE

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 February 4, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you have a side passion.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 4, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 4, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: For the enthusiast

The words are related to pasttimes

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe leisure activities.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Hobby Shop

NYT Strands word list for February 4

• Miniature

• Puzzle

• Model

• Hobby Shop

• Collectible

• Game

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.