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SAVE $70: As of Feb. 11, the Amazon Fire TV 40-Inch 2-Series is on sale for $179.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you 28% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 40-Inch 2-Series $179.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Do you want a new TV but don't want to spend a fortune? Well, we've found the deal for you. As of Feb. 11, the Amazon Fire TV 40-inch 2-Series is discounted at Amazon. Down by 28%, you can make it yours for $179.99. This deal is specific to the TV-only option. To add the four-year protection plan you'll need to pay a bit more.

As with most Amazon devices, the Amazon Fire TV 40-inch 2-Series has Alexa voice control. An incredibly handy feature when you need to search through multiple streaming platforms for your favorite show. You can also use Alexa to search the internet and control smart home devices like speakers or robot vacuums.

SEE ALSO: The best Presidents' Day deals from Best Buy that are live now, from TVs to laptop accessories

For entertainment, the TV runs on Amazon's Fire OS, so you'll have access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more. It also features two standard HDMI inputs and one ARC input, making it easy to connect gaming devices. And it supports Dolby Audio for even better sound quality. Image quality is great too, with an HD 1080p resolution to enjoy.

And if you have another Fire TV device in your home, you'll be able to watch seamlessly between each, as all stay synced to each other.

This deal is only around for a limited time, so head to Amazon now.

SAVE $80: As of Feb. 11, the Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro 5 is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a 21% discount off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Braun Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro 5 $299.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

Braun is well recognized for its high-end hair removal devices, and as of Feb. 11, the Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro 5 is reduced at Amazon for a limited time.

As of Feb. 11, the handy device is down to $299.99, saving you 21% on list price. The package includes the device in question, a Venus razor, two changeable caps, and a vanity travel case. But that's not all, currently you can get an additional $15 off the sale price with an Amazon coupon. Simply click the orange box below the price to add the coupon, and see your discount applied at the checkout. This extra price cut makes the product the cheapest it has ever been.

SEE ALSO: I tried 5 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are actually worth the hype

IPL is one of the best long-term solutions for hair removal that can be done at home. It stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is a hair removal process that uses light pulses to target hair follicles, so it reduces hair growth over time. It's not a laser, but works similarly by focusing on the pigment in hair. It's a relatively painless, long-term solution for hair removal.

Laser hair removal uses a concentrated single wavelength of light, making it more precise and powerful. IPL, on the other hand, uses a broad spectrum of light, covering a larger area but with less intensity. IPL is slightly less effective than laser but is much gentler on the skin, and can be done from home, which is always a bonus.

This Braun device also benefits from skin tone sensors, a handy tool that optimizes the power of every flash to your skin tone.

Head to Amazon to grab this deal before it runs out.

SAVE $45: As of Feb. 11, the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro headphones are on sale for $134.95 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: SHOKZ SHOKZ OpenRun Pro $134.95 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $45.00 Get Deal

Deals on headphones aren't in short supply at Amazon with deals currently live on Bose, Anker, and many more top brands. But the latest deal to catch our eye is on the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro bone-conducting headphones. As of Feb. 11, you can find them on sale at Amazon for just $134.95, saving you 25% on the list price.

Bone conduction technology does what it says on the tin. It's a technology that transmits sound through vibrations directly to the inner ear via the cheekbones, bypassing the eardrum, and increasing your spatial awareness.

SEE ALSO: For gym rats and picky audiophiles alike, these are the 7 best headphones of 2025

The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro headphones are an earbud-free design with a lightweight, wraparound frame and open-ear fit. They utilize 9th-generation bone conduction technology to deliver high-quality audio while keeping your ears open to your surroundings for safety and connection during workouts. This is one we recommend for runners — a great way to listen to music and stay safe.

It has an IP55 waterproof rating, so they’re sweatproof and work for runs or walks in the rain. However, these are not suitable for swimming. The battery life will keep you listening for up to 10 hours, and a quick five-minute charge will top you up with an hour and a half of extra playtime.

This is a limited-time deal, so head to Amazon now.

Apple's iOS and iPadOS have been updated to new versions, and you should update your iPhone and iPad as soon as possible.

The new versions – iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1, respectively – have a security fix for a flaw that's actively exploited in the wild.

The good news is that this isn't one of those attacks that can be done remotely. Instead, the hacker would have to obtain physical access to your device. From Apple's release notes for iOS 18.3.1: "A physical attack may disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked device." This means that someone with access to your iPhone or iPad could bypass Apple's security and grab all your data.

Apple didn't share a lot of details about how the flaw is being exploited, but the company's wording is interesting. "Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals," the release notes say.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new iPhone SE is coming very soon, report claims

The new iOS version is available for iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

To update, go to Settings - General - Software Update on your device and tap on "Update Now."

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Parts of a court

• Green: Very close

• Blue: Start to a game or competition

• Purple: Characters on a sports TV show

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

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

• Yellow: Areas on a basketball court

• Green: Close margin

• Blue: Things that begin a game

• Purple: Characters on "Ted Lasso"

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #141 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Areas on a basketball court - BASELINE, CORNER, ELBOW, PAINT

• Close margin - HAIR, NOSE, SPLIT SECOND, WHISKER

• Things that begin a game - FACEOFF, FIRST PITCH, JUMP BALL, KICKOFF

• Characters on "Ted Lasso" - BEARD, KENT, LASSO, ROJAS

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

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

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

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

New York has banned DeepSeek's AI app from government devices, citing security concerns about the Chinese-owned company. It's the TikTok ban discourse all over again.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the statewide DeepSeek ban on Monday, stating that "New York will continue fighting to combat cyber threats, ensure the privacy and safety of our data, and safeguard against state-sponsored censorship."

SEE ALSO: Bill threatens to make using DeepSeek a crime for Americans

Though DeepSeek has been around for a while, the company made a huge splash in January when it released a chatbot app based on its DeepSeek R-1 model. DeepSeek's new AI assistant swiftly shot to the top of Apple's App Store, impressing users with its superiority over rival OpenAI's ChatGPT when it comes to technical tasks. It's also free, unlike ChatGPT.

Unsurprisingly, DeepSeek's meteoric success alarmed the U.S. tech industry, particularly as it claimed its AI chatbot was developed at a fraction of the cost of OpenAI's models. Nvidia's stock plummeted in response, with investors realising that future development of AI technology may not require as many GPUs as U.S. companies have been using.

Questions also quickly arose regarding DeepSeek's security, and what the company might do with users' inputted data. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about whether the Chinese government might censor content or use the app to surveil users. Some users have reported censorship on DeepSeek, particularly regarding criticism of the Chinese government.

"Serious concerns have been raised concerning DeepSeek AI’s connection to foreign government surveillance and censorship, including how DeepSeek can be used to harvest user data and steal technology secrets," read Hochul's announcement.

New York isn't the only U.S. state which has prohibited government employees from downloading DeepSeek. In late January, Texas Governor Greg Abbott banned Chinese social media and AI apps on government devices, including DeepSeek, RedNote, and Lemon8. Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood also introduced the unambiguous bipartisan bill "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act" to the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, which would impact all federal employees.

Though DeepSeek is only prohibited on U.S. government devices for now, and only in a few states, such bans may be a precursor to wider restrictions. Last Monday, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley introduced a bill that would "prohibit the import from or export to China of artificial intelligence technology," regardless of whether the user is a government employee or not. While the proposed "Decoupling America’s Artificial Intelligence Capabilities from China Act" doesn't specifically single out DeepSeek by name, it's clear that the AI company is of significant concern to the U.S. government.

The U.S. government's concern about DeepSeek mirrors its attention toward TikTok, the video sharing app having also been accused of surveilling users and spreading propaganda at the behest of the Chinese government. Though TikTok was prohibited on all U.S. government devices in early 2023, by Jan. 2025 the app was legally banned across the entire country. President Donald Trump temporarily delayed the ban so he can "negotiate a resolution" to officials' national security concerns, however TikTok could very well exit the U.S. entirely if one is not agreed to by April.

Google has officially updated Maps to label the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," following U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order renaming the sea. Fortunately, the tech giant is also retaining the gulf's internationally recognised name which it has held since at least 1552 — at least, for non-American users.

Late last month, Google confirmed that it would update Maps to reflect Trump's directive, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, as well as Denali to Mount McKinley. The tech giant stated that it was only holding off on the changes because of its "longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources."

The relevant government source in this case is the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which hadn't yet been updated with the gulf's new American name. Trump's executive order gave a 30-day deadline for name changes to be made, including removing all references to the Gulf of Mexico from the GNIS.

SEE ALSO: Google Maps will rename Gulf of Mexico to America following Trump's order

Now the GNIS has executed at least one of Trump's name changes, labelling the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." As such, Google Maps has followed suit.

People within the U.S. who search Google for "Gulf of Mexico" will now be presented with bold text reading "Gulf of America" instead. Searching Google Maps for the phrase will do the same, changing the search term to "Gulf of America" and directing them to the body of water now completely relabelled "Gulf of America."

U.S. Google Search results for "Gulf of Mexico," showing text reading "Gulf of America." Credit: Mashable screenshot / Google

In contrast, inputting "Gulf of Mexico" into Google from Australia results in text reading "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)." Similarly, Google Maps retains the name Gulf of Mexico, but adds Gulf of America in parenthesis to both the search term and the map's labelling. Searching "Gulf of America" does bring up the relevant sea as the first result (labelled as such with no mention of Mexico), however the map is not centered on it, and several American businesses are suggested as well.

Australian Google Search results for "Gulf of Mexico," showing text reading "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)." Credit: Mashable screenshot / Google Australian Google Maps results for "Gulf of Mexico," automatically changed to "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)" and with the location's label reading as such. Credit: Mashable screenshot / Google Australian Google Maps results for "Gulf of America," including the relevant gulf as well as several American businesses featuring the word "gulf." Credit: Mashable screenshot / Google

Last Sunday, Trump proclaimed Feb. 9 the "first ever Gulf of America Day" to commemorate his renaming of the gulf. The president further called upon "public officials and all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities." It isn't clear exactly what activities Trump might think are appropriate for this occasion, but it probably won't be a public holiday.

Interestingly, Denali has still retained its name on Google Maps for now, rather than its new Trump-mandated label of Mount McKinley. The GNIS hasn't changed the mountain's name yet, so it appears that Google is still waiting for it to be official.

TL;DR: For only £28.32, you can grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019, 84% off the usual price of £185.47.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows £28.32 at the Mashable Shop
£185.47 Save £157.15 Get Deal

Ready to make 2025 your most productive year yet? Start strong with Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019, now available for just £28.32 (reg. £185.47). This no-nonsense version of Microsoft Office is the ideal solution for professionals, small business owners, and budget-conscious freelancers who want premium productivity tools without spending a fortune.

If you don’t need the latest cloud-based features, Office 2019 is your ideal companion. It offers powerful tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more — all with features that help you work smarter. With advanced inking and editing capabilities, new data analysis tools in Excel, and dynamic presentation options in PowerPoint, Office 2019 provides many of the tools needed to streamline your tasks.

Unlike Office 365, this version is a one-time purchase. No subscriptions, no surprise renewal fees—just a lifetime license that lets you focus on your work. And one of the best features is that offline functionality allows you to work anytime, anywhere, even without an internet connection.

Although Office 2019 isn’t the newest version, it still delivers excellent value. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019, it’s fully compatible and ready to meet your needs. If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable productivity suite to boost your efficiency, you've come to the right place.

Why wait? With instant delivery, you’ll receive your license key and download link as soon as you complete your purchase so you can dive into your work right away. Plus, with free customer support, help is always just a click away.

Get Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for just £28.32 (reg. £185.47) for a limited time.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows - $24.97 | Get It Here

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A group of investors led by Elon Musk made a bid to buy out the leading artificial intelligence company, OpenAI. However, it appears that the offer has already been rejected.

According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, Musk and his investor group submitted an unsolicited offer of $97.4 billion to acquire the nonprofit group that controls OpenAI.

Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman both originally co-founded OpenAI. However, Musk later cut ties with the organization. Since then, the two have butted heads over the direction OpenAI has gone in. At its founding, OpenAI was initially meant to operate as a not-for-profit group with an open-source ethos. However, since ChatGPT exploded on the tech scene, Altman has sought to turn OpenAI into a for-profit company.

Musk, who has since started his own AI company, xAI, has often publicly criticized OpenAI and Altman for its direction.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk’s xAI receives another $6B in funding as Grok app looms

"It's time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was," Musk's lawyer said to WSJ in a statement. "We will make sure that happens."

In a contextless post on Musk's X, Altman seems to have rejected Musk's bid. OpenAI has already raised billions of dollars from companies like Microsoft and was last valued at $157 billion.

Tweet may have been deleted

On X, Altman posted, "no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want." Altman's quip about buying Twitter was a not-so-subtle jab at Musk. 

Musk acquired X, formerly known as Twitter, for $44 billion in 2022. Musk's purchase price for the company was well beyond what the social media platform was worth. Since Musk's takeover, X has only dropped further in value.

Musk replied to Altman's rejection with a single word: "Swindler."

Not even Elmo, the beloved Sesame Street puppet, is safe from the internet's ire. The little red monster got roasted for a tweet about the Super Bowl.

Ahead of Sunday's big game, Elmo's X/Twitter account posted: "Elmo just hopes both teams have fun!"

Seems innocuous enough, no? Not to the internet, apparently.

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There were countless posts demanding Elmo stop riding the fence in the matchup between the Chiefs and Eagles.

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There were also a number of jokes about sports gambling to Elmo, who, canonically, is 3.5 years old.

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Pretty much everyone got in on the joke, even the Philadelphia Eagles' account, as the team cruised to a championship.

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This just goes to show that the internet will come after anyone at any time, including beloved children's puppets.

Meta is joining other tech industry giants slimming down their workforces, as it begins a massive round of job cuts that reflect a priority shift towards AI.

In an internal memo sent to employees today (Feb. 10), Meta announced it would begin notifying "low performing" employees singled out for lay offs based on manager reviews and attrition rates of the previous year. The layoffs will affect almost 4,000 Meta workers across the United States, Europe, and Asia — U.S. employees are expected to be hit first.

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg doubles down on Meta's submission to Trump

In January, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said the company was planning to lay off more than 5 percent of its workforce based on an anticipated "intense year" for the tech giant, according to a leaked Workplace memo. The leader previously explained that Meta is doubling down on its "year of efficiency" and has been reorganizing the company's divisions to free up resources for its AI and AGI push. According to other internal documents, Meta is fast-tracking hiring for machine learning engineers and recently transferred some of the company's leadership to its generative AI group.

"Mark is creating fear. He's creating a culture where you have to be loyal to him or else," an anonymous Meta worker told Business Insider. "Self-censorship is rampant. At a company supposedly dedicated to connecting people, the human side of our work is disappearing, and everyone is acting more robotic."

Zuckerberg was recently spotted exiting the White House following his public support for President Donald Trump. A few weeks before Trump took office, Meta announced it was axing its in-house DEI policies and changing its Hateful Conduct policy.

Android 16 could soon get a feature that would be a lifesaver for frequent travelers: an alert for time zone changes. 

If you've ever traveled across a time zone change, you know it can be confusing if you're not paying attention. Your phone will automatically shift into the new time zone, whether you're paying attention or not. A new potential feature from Android 16 would send users an alert to alleviate that confusion.

Android Authority spotted a potential new feature in the beta for Android 16. It wrote that in Settings > System > Date & Time, there is a new "time zone change" feature that will let users "receive a notification when their time zone is automatically updated."

SEE ALSO: Android 16 public beta arrives: 3 new features, how to try it now

As of this writing, the new feature appears to be available only to folks running the Android 16 beta, but it could very well be a part of the final operating system that rolls out to users.

It's a small change, but one that could be pretty helpful for travelers. Changing time zones during a drive, in particular, can be a bit disorienting. With this potential new feature, you might never have to worry about that again.

SAVE UP TO $900: The Purple Presidents' Day sale takes up to $900 off mattress and base bundles, up to 30% off bedding, and 20% off Purple pillows.

Best Purple Presidents' Day Sale deals Best mattress deal Purple Mattress $1299 (save $200) Get Deal Best Purple bedding deal Purple SoftStretch Sheet Set $183 (save $46) Get Deal Best Purple pillow deal Harmony Anywhere Travel Bundle $150 (save $53) Get Deal

Sleep is one of life's essentials. If you've ever gone through a period in life where sleep was hard to come by, you understand the impact poor sleep has on memory, cognition, mood, the immune system, and overall vibes.

On the other hand, if you've been getting great sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and ready for each new day, congratulations because you've unlocked one of life's most significant hacks.

A huge component of whether you're getting the best sleep of your life or slogging through each night to clock just five hours of rest is your mattress and bedding setup. You deserve something comfortable and supportive, from the mattress itself to your sheets and pillows.

Thankfully, one of the leading mattress companies is offering some great discounts during Presidents' Day. Purple has taken up to $900 off mattress and base bundles while also offering discounts on sheet sets and pillows. If you're in need of a bedroom refresh, check out some of our favorite deals at Purple during Presidents' Day.

Best mattress deal 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

Mattresses vary significantly in materials and construction and the Purple Mattress is unique in the use of the brand's GelFlex Grid. This upper comfort layer is a hyper-elastic polymer material that aims to offer great pressure relief with excellent cooling. This makes the Purple Mattress great for anyone who's looking for a comfortable night's rest without overheating.

It's also great when it come to motion isolation which is something sleepers should look for if they're easily awaken by a partner's movements of if the dog tends to jump up on the bed at 3 a.m. The material is also hypoallergenic which is great for those who deal with allergies.

In a queen size, the Purple Mattress usually costs $1,499 but the Presidents' Day Sale brings it down to $1,299. You also get a 100-night sleep trial to test out the mattress at home.

Best bedding deal Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple SoftStretch Sheet Set (queen) $183.00 at Purple
$229.00 Save $46.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A good mattress deserves to be dressed in nice sheets, and you deserve to sleep well in cozy bedding. The queen-size Purple SoftStretch Sheet Set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it's on sale for $183 at part of the Purple Presidents' Day sale, down from the normal price of $229.

Purple makes these soft sheets with a bamboo-blend fabric that feels silky and smooth, draping over the body. The material is also nice for hot sleepers since it's both moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating. The StretchSecure elastic band on the fitted sheet helps it stay snugly in place over your mattress.

Best pillow deal Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Harmony Anywhere Travel Bundle $150.00 at Purple
$203.00 Save $53.00 Get Deal Why we like it

There's nothing worse that getting bad sleep on vacation. While some hotels are genuinely a dream come true when it comes to mattress and bedding comfort, others could use some serious help. Instead of playing roulette with sleep while traveling, grab the Purple Harmony Anywhere Travel Bundle. It includes the Purple Harmony Travel Pillow, Purple SoftStretch Pillowcase, and the Harmony Anywhere Travel Case. Together, the bundle is discounted to $150 instead of the typical price of $203.

The Harmony Anywhere Pillow is a smaller version of the brand's Harmony Pillow and both use the brand's signature GelFlex Grid for ultimate cooling and pressure relief. The core of the pillow is made with ventilated latex for even more comfort.

Not only is the pillow great for planes, it's great for when your Airbnb only has pillows that feel worthy of getting tossed out.

More Purple Presidents' Day deals:

• Purple Mattress Protector — $79 $99 (save $20)

• Purple Harmony Pillow — $179 $199 (save $20)

• Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress (queen) — $2,099 $2,399 (save $300)

• Purple Rejuvenate Mattress (queen) — $4,995 $5,495 (save $500)

T-Mobile's Starlink satellite messaging service is free for everyone to try — even AT&T and Verizon customers.

During the Super Bowl on Sunday, T-Mobile announced the public beta launch of its direct-to-cell program with Starlink. Customers can sign up, free of charge, until it moves out of beta in July. And you don't have to be a T-Mobile subscriber to try it out.

SEE ALSO: FCC approves T-Mobile's Starlink cell coverage plans

"When your service is amazing and different, you want as many people to try it as possible," reads the announcement. "T-Mobile is giving AT&T and Verizon customers the opportunity to try out T-Mobile Starlink satellite service on their existing phones."

When T-Mobile Starlink is released from beta, it will be included in the Go5G plan at no extra charge. T-Mobile customers on other plans can opt for the Starlink add-on for $15 a month per line. AT&T and Verizon customers can also add T-Mobile Starlink's satellite text messaging for $20 a month per line. All they need is a compatible smartphone.

While anyone with a compatible phone can sign up for T-Mobile Starlink, this does not mean it's automatically "installed" on iPhones, contrary to a rumor on TikTok. There's no direct partnership between Apple and Starlink, and Elon Musk, who owns Starlink, cannot access iPhone user data. 

All this means is that the iPhones have the Starlink connectivity option through T-Mobile since the iPhone has 1900MHz (band 25) spectrum support. This is not automatically included as part of the iPhone's iOS 18.3 update; users must opt to add Starlink coverage as part of their plan.

For the record, Apple has had satellite messaging support since the iPhone 14 via its Globalstar partnership. You can opt out of any satellite messaging by going to Settings > Cellular > your carrier > then turn off Satellite.

SAVE $700: As of Feb. 10, you can get the NordicTrack T Series treadmill for just $599 at Amazon. That's a 54% discount and a $700 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: NordicTrack NordicTrack T Series treadmill $599.00 at Amazon
$1,299.00 Save $700.00 Get Deal

Presidents’ Day isn’t until next week, but Amazon’s already cutting prices on everything from tech to fitness equipment, and one of the best deals we've spotted so far is on the NordicTrack T Series treadmill, which is currently 54% off its regular price.

As of Feb. 10, you can get the NordicTrack T Series 10 treadmill for just $599 — that’s $700 off the sticker price and a solid deal for a treadmill with 34K reviews and a 4.3-star average rating on Amazon.

This treadmill has a large 10-inch display so you can stream live and on-demand workouts, connect with the iFit app, and access a library of over 17,000 studio classes and scenic runs. (The iFit membership is sold separately.) The SmartAdjust feature adapts to your fitness level and auto-adjusts the intensity during your workout. And thanks to its syncing option, you can access your fitness data and stats right on your connected device (Google Fit, STRAVA, Apple Health, etc.).

PlayStation Network went down at the worst possible time for gamers this past weekend.

Around 9 p.m. ET on Friday night, PlayStation users found themselves unable to connect to PSN. The network was down for a still unspecified outage, meaning users could not connect to play online games. In addition, users were unable to buy some digitally purchased games that require an online connection.

If you're a paying member of the PlayStation Plus premium subscription and had your weekend gaming plans interrupted, things aren't all bad. PlayStation has announced that they will make it up to you.

"All PlayStation Plus members will automatically receive an additional 5 days of service," reads a post on X from the official PlayStation support account @AskPlayStation.

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Five free days of service isn't a bad trade for an issue that lasted around half a day.

PlayStation Network downtime was a big topic of conversation across the internet over the weekend. Although a complete network outage resulting in downtime is not unheard of, these issues are usually fixed quickly. That's why gamers were surprised to wake up on Saturday morning and find that PlayStation Network was still down.

In fact, the first reports about PSN being back up didn't start to trickle in until Saturday afternoon, roughly 15 hours later.

"Network services have fully recovered from an operational issue," PlayStation's support account posted on Sunday. "We apologize for the inconvenience and thank the community for their patience."

Picture this: you’re dating someone new, and, not for nothing, you’re excited about them. They do things like chat to you all the time, texting and checking in with how your day is going. They take you on thoughtfully planned dates, talk about introducing you to their friends, kiss your forehead after sex, and cuddle you all night — in short, they’re waving lots of green flags and you think there’s a real future here.

But then you blink and suddenly, even though this person put so much of their time and emotional energy into signposting at every turn that they were serious about you, and never once saying they just wanted to keep things casual, they drop you without so much as an "it's not you, it’s me."

This is what I’ve dubbed the Relationship Experience. I’ve seen it play out time and time again, and it’s liable to make even the most sure-footed singleton stumble. 

With a name borrowed from the niche of sex work commonly referred to as 'the Girlfriend Experience,' a Relationship Experience is about enjoying the perks of having a partner for a little while without any actual commitment.

In a way, it’s a tale as old as time. How many times have you, dear reader, felt like you’ve been led down the garden path by someone who was giving off all the signs of wanting something serious with you, only to be unceremoniously ditched without any explanation?

Not quite a situationship, not quite love bombing

A situationship, for instance, is an umbrella term that can define all manner of casual dating scenarios like this one, but not all of them have to be bad. Meanwhile, ghosting can be at play in how they end things with you, but there are plenty of other insensitive ways someone can call time on a Relationship Experience.

As for love bombing, that behaviour is done with seriously nefarious intent, often by narcissists. It’s a means of controlling you later down the line. By drowning you in how good their overabundance of ‘love’ feels early on, their affection becomes the carrot they dangle to get you to do what they want, while their emotional distance and/or cruelty become the stick.

SEE ALSO: How does orientation affect the dating app experience?

Yes, it’s possible to date a person with the best of long-term intentions only to change your mind about wanting to commit to them. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes, and it’s nobody’s fault. 

But the crux of the Relationship Experience is that one party may very well never have intended to commit in the first place. Meanwhile, all the green flags a Relationship Experience-seeker waves can trip up even the most seasoned singleton. This is what makes it so nefarious. 

And when they take their leave of you, they do so noncommittal-y rather than sensitively ending things.

Hurt people hurting people

But all this still raises the question: why do they put so much time and energy into romancing you, even though they have zero plans to take the ‘relationship’ further? 

Dr. Wendy Walsh, a relationship expert and psychology professor, thinks the answer is simple. "An unspoken rule has been observed by evolutionary psychologists around the world; the easiest way to obtain a short-term relationship is by pretending to want a long-term relationship."

"An unspoken rule has been observed by evolutionary psychologists around the world; the easiest way to obtain a short-term relationship is by pretending to want a long-term relationship."

However, psychotherapist Dr. Gisele Caseiras, of Likeminds psychotherapy, wonders if the whole thing isn’t more to do with fear and self-sabotage. She explains that the seeker of a Relationship Experience may well be conflicted about having a genuinely close and committed relationship. "While they seem to desire intimacy, crave connection, and pursue it intensely," she adds, "their underlying fear of intimacy leads them to sabotage the relationship."

And why not be upfront about their feelings? Again, the answer may stem from fear — of rejection and of intimacy — combined with a desire to protect themselves.

Caseiras says: "They may worry that opening up will make them seem unattractive or uninteresting. To avoid feeling rejected, they might show a lot of affection early on, fostering a sense of dependency in their partners."

"This strategy enables them to end the relationship on their terms before facing rejection, often leaving their partner confused and overwhelmed. By not explicitly stating their intentions, individuals might try to avoid becoming emotionally involved and maintain a sense of power."

Thus they can more easily leave the whole situation in the dust if they feel like things are getting "too intense" on either side. 

Even if they’re actively seeking out a connection, they could still fear that intimacy deep down. "By keeping things ambiguous," Caseiras adds, "they can avoid getting too close and risking the emotional pain that inevitably comes with rejection or vulnerability."

This fear can stem from previous love life traumas the Relationship Experience-seeker went through. "Sometimes," Dr. Caseiras says, "people can reenact past experiences, repeating unconscious patterns of behaviour."

"As painful as heartbreak can be, it often teaches us a lot about ourselves."

Ultimately, if you’ve been hurt by someone who was only looking for the Relationship Experience, it’s largely not your business to fully understand why. Or, heaven forbid, try to fix them. Instead, it’s a lot wiser to focus on yourself.

Walsh, whose PhD is in clinical psychology and who works closely with DatingAdvice, suggests: "Use the experience as research on human behavior. Learn from it without beating yourself up for not seeing the red flags."

Caseiras agrees, suggesting you reflect, process, and note what you’ve learned from the whole thing.

"It would be natural to feel rejected but also confused, angry, and frustrated at being misled," she says. "Allow yourself time to reflect on those painful feelings. Explore your experience with a trusted friend — we often make better sense of experiences when we begin to think and put them into a context that others might understand. Those important conversations might help you not only to process your feelings but also lead you to some ‘aha’ moments."

You might also want to think about what exactly drew you to this Relationship Experience-seeker in the first place. "As painful as heartbreak can be," Caseiras says, "it often teaches us a lot about ourselves and what we are looking for in a relationship. Be curious about what kind of partner you are attracted to and whether that pattern is healthy for you. Keep that in mind when you feel ready to start dating again."

SEE ALSO: 10 free dating apps worth trying in 2025

As for new red flags to take away, you should watch out for things like a lack of truly deep conversations and a focus on physical attraction.

As Caseiras explains: “While chemistry and physical attraction are important, if the focus of the relationship seems solely on physical intimacy without any deeper connection, it could be a warning sign. You can tell if the person is interested in you by noticing if they are curious about you, your hobbies, and your interests. They might want to know about your views of the world and your goals. If the conversation is superficial and lacks depth, it could be a sign that the person is not interested in getting to know you on a deeper level.”

Emotional intensity early doors is another thing to be wary of, because, as the good doctor Caseiras says: “While feeling passionate is good, showing strong emotions and declaring love too soon can be a warning sign. If someone makes big gestures, wants constant contact, or makes big promises early on, it can leave you feeling vulnerable and dependent.”

And remember, cliché though it may be, actions speak louder than words. If someone consistently backs up what they say by making an effort to spend quality time with you and is there for you emotionally as well as physically, those are pretty big green flags.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Feb. 10: OUR TOP PICK Kindle Paperwhite Kids $139.99 (save $40) Get Deal BEST SMARTHOME DEAL Amazon Echo Show 5 $69.99 (save $20) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Bose QuietComfort headphones $249 (save $100) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Amazon Echo Buds $34.99 (save $15) Get Deal

Another week, another slew of deals at Amazon. We've rounded up the best discounts we could find today amongst the lengthy list of President's Day deals at the mega retailer. From Kindle to Bose, some of our favorite gadgets are down to impressive lows.

Here are our picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Feb. 10. If these aren't sparking your interest, stay tuned this week as we select new deals each day.

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The Paperwhite Kids is a heftier kids version of the standard Kindle Paperwhite, weighing in at 11.6 ounces compared to the adult version's 7.4 ounces. That means it's sturdier and can withstand most things a kid throws at it. It comes with built-in parental controls so you can monitor the content your kiddo is consuming. Plus, it comes with six free months of Amazon kids+, which is packed with tons of age-appropriate books. As of Feb. 10, you can snag it on sale for just $139.99 instead of the usual $179.99. That's a savings of 22% and matches its best price ever from Black Friday.

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The third-generation Echo Show 5 upgraded its speaker system with double the bass, more clarity for calls, music, audiobooks, podcasts, video content, and more. Not to mention, its reengineered microphone array makes for better Alexa responsiveness and its AZ2 Neural Edge processor makes for a speedier experience overall. While the display is small at 5.5 inches, it's a great fit for a nightstand or desktop. Usually $89.99, it's on sale for just $69.99. That's 22% off.

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The Bose QuietComfort headphones check all the right boxes: top-notch noise cancellation, rich audio, comfortable fit, and affordable price tag. They're not quite as impressive as their more expensive sibling, the QuietComfort Ultras, but our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) say "they absolutely won't disappoint if you want to save a bit of money." They come in seven different color options, each of which are on sale for just $249. That's 29% off the usual cost.

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Amazon's budget-friendly Echo Buds from 2023 completely revamped the design from the previous version. While they're pretty simple earbuds, they'll still get the job done. They don't offer noise cancellation or the most comfortable fit, but they sound great, last for up to 20 hours, and seamlessly pair with your other Alexa gadgets. Mashable's reviewer SaVanna Shoemaker put it simply: "For the price, the Echo Buds are a solid pair of wireless earbuds." As of Feb. 10, you can pick up a pair for only $34.99. That's 30% in savings.

Check out our full review of the Amazon Echo Buds.

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Whether you're an IT professional, a graphic designer, a business owner, or a hobby collector, StackSkills Unlimited has something for you to learn. This expansive learning platform is home to over 1,000 courses across fields as varied as IT, finance, and marketing, and it's only A$32 to unlock them all. 

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Judging whether or not access to a learning platform is worth it is tough. If you want to expand your skillset professionally or personally, there's certainly quite a lot to learn here. You can check the catalog before buying to see if there's a few you're interested in, but it's unlikely anyone would want to finish every course. 

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The first beta of Apple's new iOS 18.4 is coming very soon, and it will include a much improved, smarter voice assistant Siri.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who claims that the first iOS 18.4 beta is coming in a matter of days; more precisely, "sometime between the middle of this week and the next one."

SEE ALSO: Apple's new iPhone SE is coming very soon, report claims

It's a very important update for iPhone owners as it should finally include the long-promised changes to Siri. This will include the ability for Apple's digital assistant to tap into your personal data to provide better answer to your queries. In its promotional materials, Apple says that Siri will also have richer language understanding, more natural communication, and the "ability to take action in and across apps."

Gurman does say that this will not put Siri on the same level as the most advanced voice assistants out there, though integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT should help with that regard. It is, however, an important update for Apple, which unveiled a suite of Apple Intelligence features last June, but still hasn't gotten to launching them all yet.

A public version of iOS 18.4 is due in April, says Gurman.

In his latest newsletter, Gurman also mentioned that Apple is ramping up efforts to create a tabletop robot, which could hit the market in 2027.

Gurman also reiterated his previous prediction that Apple will launch a new, revamped iPhone SE this week, likely accompanied with Apple's new PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds.