Mashable

What is Moravec's Paradox? This robotics theory from the '80s is still extremely relevant today, and it actually explains exactly why the new generation of humanoid robots still can't master simple tasks like loading a dishwasher or buttering your toast.

Posed by robotics researcher Hans Moravec in 1988, Moravec's Paradox states that tasks that are simple for humans are actually very difficult for machines to replicate, and vice versa. Robotics has come a very long way since 1988, and yet Moravec's Paradox is just as true today.

This year, we've seen the introduction of several new humanoid robots, as well as the strange phenomenon of "arm farms." The Los Angeles Times first reported on these so-called arm farms, where an "army" of workers in countries like India strap cameras to their faces and spend all day folding towels and doing other menial tasks so that the footage can be used to train humanoid robots.

As the LA Times reported, "The carefully choreographed movements are to capture all the nuances of what humans do — arm reaching, fingers gripping, fabric sliding — to fold clothes."

Extensive training is required, as Moravec explained, because the simple everyday tasks we take for granted are incredibly difficult for robot helpers. So, while humanoid robots like Iron from EV maker Xpeng may look futuristic, they're often surprisingly incompetent.

X1 recently introduced the humanoid robot Neo, a household helper robot available for pre-order now. Yet videos show Neo trying and failing to do mundane tasks like loading a dishwasher. Of course, humans would struggle to do tasks that robots could do nearly instantaneously, like performing complex calculations or bending steel parts into a precise shape on a factory floor.

Likewise, Tesla and Elon Musk were excited to launch their Optimus robots, promising that a fleet of these bots would soon be available worldwide. Yet, as it turns out, the Optimus robots on display were actually being controlled remotely by humans.

That's Moravec's Paradox in action.

But just because this paradox has held true since the '80s doesn't mean it will always be that way. In fact, artificial intelligence proves that rapid breakthroughs are possible.

AI and Moravec's Paradox Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

Moravec's Paradox applies to AI as well as robotics.

Just a few years ago, even advanced machine learning tools struggled to perform tasks humans take for granted, such as identifying the objects in a photograph or taking part in a natural language conversation. Even basic translation proved awkward and difficult for artificial intelligence.

Yet in 2025, AI chatbots like Gemini and ChatGPT can perform all these tasks with ease. The Turing Test seems almost quaint in the era of large language models.

Yes, AI does still struggle with some human tasks — like, say, telling the truth or fact-checking its answers — but the pace of progress since 2023 has been remarkable. Image and video models have gone from mangled fingers and Will Smith eating spaghetti to true photorealism in the blink of an eye.

It's entirely possible a similar breakthrough will occur in robotics, possibly with an assist from AI.

However, there is one fact that might hold humanoid robots back: The fact that the human body is a terrible model for a robot. Humanoid robots may ultimately prove to be a novelty, even as robots in other forms advance quickly.

For now, Moravec's Paradox holds.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

The U.S. space agency has fallen silent amid the federal government shutdown, but it's about to slingshot a pair of robotic spacecraft to Mars.

NASA's Escapade mission will test a new way of traveling to Mars. Instead of the traditional fuel-efficient route used by past missions — a narrow launch window every two years that leverages an alignment of the planets — the spacecraft will take a path that first carries them around a stable point between Earth and the sun. After a year of loitering, they will swing back toward Earth and then head for Mars. 

The trajectory, which became necessary after two previous launch postponements, could prove useful when future human missions require many spacecraft to depart over several months instead of just a few weeks. Escapade, a nickname for Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, is expected to blast off on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, as early as Sunday, Nov. 9. 

The mission will get to the bottom of how solar radiation strips away the tattered Martian atmosphere. Scientists know Mars once had a thicker atmosphere, perhaps capable of supporting life. But the planet's climate has changed dramatically over billions of years, from a world with lakes and rivers to an arid desert. The air is mostly gone, yet no one knows exactly where it went. 

SEE ALSO: Video captures meteor explosively striking the moon. See it now.

The project is NASA’s first planetary mission led by UC Berkeley. The university designed the science instruments and will operate the spacecraft from its control center. Rocket Lab built the spacecraft, named Blue and Gold after Berkeley's school colors, each about the size of a stacked washer and dryer.

Escapade could set a precedent for how NASA and the commercial space industry approach interplanetary missions in the future. From soup to nuts, Escapade had a budget of $80 million, under NASA's Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration program. Rocket Lab built the twin probes in just 3.5 years for $57 million, a relatively cheap price compared to the billions the agency would normally spend. Those costly missions are a product of legacy aerospace contracts based on the cost-plus-fixed-fee model, which allowed the builders to run over budget without picking up the tab. 

"Rocket Lab undertook a task that, to be honest, I'm not going to name names, but at least one of those prime contractors said, 'We're not interested in this because if you need to fit everything into a $57 million cost cap, we can't build you two spacecraft for the price you'd be willing to pay us,'" Rob Lillis, the mission's principal investigator, told Mashable last year. "Actually, two said that."

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Together the spacecraft will map Mars’ magnetic fields, upper atmosphere, and ionosphere, the layer of charged particles surrounding the planet, giving scientists a stereo view of its space environment. Mapping the magnetic field is critical because Mars lacks the global magnetic shield that protects Earth from harmful effects of solar radiation. Without that protection, solar storms can deliver bursts of energetic particles that could endanger anyone living or working on the Martian surface. The mission’s data will help researchers learn how to forecast those storms and how to shield future astronauts from them.

Previous orbiters have studied how this "solar wind" interacts with the Martian atmosphere but have been hamstrung: One spacecraft alone can't measure the real-time consequences of solar storms. 

"It only takes one or two minutes for one of these space weather disturbances to propagate through the system and, for example, tear out a whole bunch of atmosphere," Lillis previously said. "Single spacecraft missions cannot separately measure the cause and the effect."

Rocket Lab engineers and technicians prepare Escapade's twin spacecraft, Blue and Gold, at the Astrotech launch processing facility in Titusville, Florida. Credit: Rocket Lab

Once in orbit, Blue and Gold will follow nearly identical paths around Mars, separated by minutes. That formation flying will let scientists watch how the planet’s upper atmosphere changes over time. Instruments aboard the spacecraft will track how particles escape from Mars into space.

Accurate models of Mars' ionosphere will also help engineers develop better navigation and communication systems, whose radio signals would pass through it, for human missions.

The Escapade spacecraft will travel for 22 months to Mars. The pair will then adjust their orbits over nine more months before beginning their primary science mission in June 2028.

TL;DR: Give a gift they’ll actually use with the MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker Card, on sale now for just $23.99 (reg. $59.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: MagTag MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker Card $23.99
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SEE ALSO: Prep for holiday travel with 34% off a 4-pack of Apple AirTags

If you’re looking for a gift for that hard-to-buy-for loved one on your list, the MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker Card is something they’ll never want to regift. It’s a sleek tracking device that measures just 1.5mm thick, about the size of a credit card, so it can fit into spaces that AirTags can’t. And just like the AirTag, it is compatible with the Apple Find My app so you can find your things with just a few taps.

With the MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker Card, it’s easy to keep tabs on your most important valuables — like wallets and passport cases. It also features a built-in keyring hole, making it simple to attach to keys, bags, name tags, or ID lanyards. It’s IP68 waterproof and dustproof, too, so it’s ready to withstand the elements.

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TL;DR: Own the Microsoft Office staples for life with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license, on sale now for just $39.97 (reg. $219.99) through Nov. 16.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $39.97
$219.99 Save $180.02   Get Deal

2025 is almost over — how many subscription fees are you still paying for every month? If one of your goals for the new year is to cut down on recurring charges, this Microsoft Office deal lets you finally cancel that Microsoft 365 subscription for good.

Own your Microsoft Office tools with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license, on sale now for just $39.97 (reg. $219.99) through Nov. 16.

SEE ALSO: Get 7 powerful Microsoft apps for life for just $20 with this deal

For the cost of just four months of a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can now own the Microsoft Office staples you know and love with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows deal. It equips your PC with eight essential apps for everyday life, eliminating the need for monthly fees and providing the option to work offline whenever necessary.

Wondering what this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license includes? You’ll own all the old favorites — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook — to help you tackle personal and professional tasks from document creation to building out budgets.

You’ll also receive newer additions to the Microsoft lineup, such as OneNote, a digital note-taking tool, and Teams, a great way to stay in touch with coworkers. Rounding out this suite of apps? Access, which makes managing databases easier, and Publisher, which helps you create professional documents quickly.

This 2021 edition features a ribbon-based user interface that provides quick access to all available features, tools, and customizations. You can rest easy knowing that everything has been redesigned to be helpful for everyone, from designers to data analysts.

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Act fast to secure this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license for just $39.97 (reg. $219.99) until Nov. 16.

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We're moving towards to the New Moon, which means for the next few nights the moon is going to look smaller and smaller to us. This is normal as we work though the lunar cycle, and we're currently on day 18.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Saturday, Nov. 8, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. This means 87% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

No visual aids? No problem, there's still lots for you to see tonight, like the Copernicus Crater, the Mare Tranquillitatis, and the Tycho Crater. A pair of binoculars will let you see even more, including Gassendi Crater, Clavius Crater, and the Alphonsus Crater. If you’ve got a telescope handy, it’s worth using to check out Reiner Gamma, the Apollo 17 landing site, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

NASA notes that as the Moon orbits Earth over about 29.5 days, it goes through a series of phases. These phases occur because of the changing angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Depending on its position, the Moon can appear fully illuminated, partly illuminated, or completely hidden, even though we always see the same side. What changes is how much sunlight reflects off its surface, creating a repeating sequence known as the lunar cycle.

The eight main moon phases are:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Here are some rom-coms, picked just for you.

Are you in the mood for a one-night stand? A workplace fling? A full-blown commitment stretched over 30 episodes? More importantly, are you looking to laugh the whole time you're watching whichever sort of relationship you choose? We've got you covered with a selection of the best romantic comedies now streaming on Netflix. (If you're just looking for romance and not so much comedy, we've got you there, too, with a guide to the best romantic movies on the streaming service.)

We combed through Netflix's extensive catalog of will-they-won't-theys and could-they-should-theys, movies and TV shows included, to find the titles sure to give you that perfect balance of giggles and butterflies. Settle in with your chocolates, wine, and a cuddly blanket. Here are the best romantic comedies now streaming on Netflix.

25. A Perfect Story

Margot is an engaged hotel heiress crumbling under the weight of her family's expectations. David is a struggling bartender who sleeps on his friends' couches and can't get over a recent breakup. The unlikely pair meet at the exact moment when they each need someone in their lives to lean on. A Perfect Story is an incredibly watchable and breezy romantic comedy series from Spain that will leave you smiling. The two leads, Anna Castillo and Álvaro Mel, are bursting with charisma. Sure, Margo and David have got some shit to sort out before a romance can bloom, but boy, are we here for the journey! — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributing Writer

How to watch: A Perfect Story is now streaming on Netflix.

24. Love at First Sight Credit: Rob Baker Ashton / Netflix © 2023

Based on a hit novel by Jennifer E. Smith, Love at First Sight is a delightful romance with an airport at the center of its meet-cute. Haley Lu Richardson is a perpetually late, underprepared American student heading to London for her dad’s wedding, and Ben Hardy is a charismatic Brit who offers to lend her his phone charger at a crucial moment. They fall in love during the flight, but a mix-up at baggage claim prevents the star-crossed pair from sharing their contact information. Will they ever see each other again? Love at First Sight is a champion charmer, but it also packs a more weighty emotional punch than your standard rom-com. Gut-wrenching moments from a particularly unique costume party will stay with you for days.* — K.G.

How to watch: Love at First Sight is now streaming on Netflix.

23. Nobody Wants This, Seasons 1-2

Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) are not an obvious pair. She's a sex and dating podcaster who often pushes people away, and he's a rabbi coming out of a long-term relationship his entire community supported. But when the two meet at a dinner party, they can't seem to stop thinking about each other… And a delightful romance begins. 

The best part about Nobody Wants This is that the characters are adults. They're in their late thirties, and the problems they face aren't the result of immature games but real issues that arise when two very different people try to build something together. At one point, Noah tells a panicking Joanne: "I'm on your side. I can handle you." Created by Erin Foster, Nobody Wants This is a truly sublime, relatable, and refreshing rom-com series that boasts laugh-out-loud punchlines and steamy kisses in equal measure. — K.G.

How to watch: Nobody Wants This Seasons 1-2 are now streaming on Netflix.

22. Falling Inn Love Credit: Nicola Dove

Imagine a home improvement show. Take that home improvement show and make it a scripted Bachelor spin-off. Now, take that home improvement show-turned-scripted Bachelor spin-off and set it in New Zealand. Finally, sprinkle in some puns and you've got Falling Inn Love.

Starring Christina Milian and Adam Demos, this delightfully delirious romp into renovation romance is the perfect comfort movie for a cozy afternoon on the couch. Marvel at the pretty settings, lust after the linen shirts, stare at the goat named Gilbert. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Falling Inn Love is now streaming on Netflix.

21. Holidate Credit: Netflix

Directed by John Whitesell (Deck the Halls), Netflix's Holidate takes the "fake relationship" trope to new, seasonally decorated heights. Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey star in this will-they-won't-they about two friends who agree to be each other's "holidates" — specially dedicated plus ones for occasions where the pressure of an actual romantic partner is the last thing anyone needs. Of course, with all the flirty fun of events like Christmas, Valentine's Day, and [checks notes] St. Patrick's Day, it's not long before these not-lovers start making eyes over the dinner table. — A.F.

How to watch: Holidate is now streaming on Netflix.

20. 10 Things I Hate About You

Craving some enemies-to-lovers fun? Then check out this high-school-set adaptation of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Julia Stiles stars as Kat Stratford, a brilliant and guarded girl whose disinterest in dating makes her the bane of her younger sister Bianca's (Larisa Oleynik) existence. Due to their dad's archaic dating rule, Bianca can't date until Kat does, and while Bianca is chomping at the bit, Kat could not care less about dating. So, what's the clever Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who's crushing on Bianca, supposed to do? Naturally, hired the school's ill-reputed bad boy (Heath Ledger, in a star-making turn) to woo Kat and get her to go prom.

At first, it's hard work catching her eye. But before long, these two misfits find they have things in common where it counts. A rousing romance with plenty of '90s flair, and a killer soundtrack featuring music from Letters to Cleo, 10 Things I Hate About You is still worth swooning over. — K.P.

How to watch: 10 Things I Hate About You is now streaming on Netflix.

19. When We First Met Credit: Jami Saunders

Somewhere between Hot Tub Time Machine and Some Kind of Wonderful, When We First Met imagines the perfect first date over and over and over again.

Adam DeVine and Alexandra Daddario star as one couple that just couldn't get the timing right, with supporting performances from Robbie Amell and Shelley Hennig. This movie's saccharine tone and overdone premise shouldn't work, and yet they do. It's...fate? — A.F.

How to watch: When We First Met is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Love, Seasons 1-3 Credit: Suzanne Hanover / Netflix

As series go, Love is a bit all over the place — but, so is its namesake.

Gillian Jacobs and Paul Rust star as Mickey Dobbs and Gus Cruikshank, two Angelenos who serendipitously meet at a gas station and fall hopelessly, madly in...something. Over the show's all-too-brief three seasons, viewers are treated to the ups, downs, and sideways of finding the one. Come for the promise of happily ever after, stay for everything that really isn't that. — A.F.

How to watch: Love Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.

17. Love, Guaranteed

Incredibly silly and deeply improbable, Love, Guaranteed is a sweet little ditty about a perpetually single man, Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.), and a lawyer, Susan (Rachael Leigh Cook), who team up for a predatory lawsuit against a dating company that “guarantees love.” But uh oh, this hopeless, lonely pair might find something more than they bargained for when they decided to sue the fictional version of Match.com together. 

I mean, look. The premise is ridiculous — but it’s unique! No fake-dating tropes here, folks! And luckily, the cast is deeply likable, making Love, Guaranteed a perfectly pleasant way to spend an hour and a half! — K.G.

How to watch: Love, Guaranteed is now streaming on Netflix.

16. Been So Long Credit: Netflix

Adapted from the musical of the same name, Been So Long offers a dreamy look at a chance encounter between two people in desperate need of a break from reality. With electric interactions between stars Michaela Coel and Arinzé Kene, this poppy romance will have you from the moment the first words are sung — and won't let go until the very last verse. — A.F.

How to watch: Been So Long is now streaming on Netflix.

15. The Lovebirds Credit: Skip Bolen / Netflix

Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani play a charming couple stuck in a seriously screwed-up situation in the spectacularly funny The Lovebirds. When our titular lovebirds are blamed for a vehicular homicide, date night becomes a race against the clock to solve the crime they didn't commit. It's the perfect popcorn flick with enough heart to get you invested in its leads. — A.F.

How to watch: The Lovebirds is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Wedding Season

Fluffy, energetic, and fun, Wedding Season is a cheerful, low-stakes rom-com. Pallavi Sharda and Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi, How I Met Your Father) are Asha and Ravi, two thirty-somethings tired of being set up on Indian dating websites by their parents. So what do they do when faced with a long season of weddings where they’ll face endless questions about their dating lives? You guessed it! They fake-date! It’s the only reasonable course of action!!!

The best romantic comedy trope gets new life in Wedding Season, with its super-charismatic cast and delightful wedding montages. If you like bright and shiny rom-coms and romantic leads with great chemistry, then RSVP "yes!" to Wedding Season.* — K.G.

How to watch: Wedding Season is streaming on Netflix.

13. The Half of It Credit: Netflix

Director Alice Wu's The Half of It hinges on straight-A student Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) and her journey toward self-acceptance. It does wonders for the streaming service's rom-com catalog, not because it's especially new in its ideas, but because Wu executes them with a flair all her own.

A charming combination of unique subject matter and clichéd storytelling, The Half of It explores the perspectives of characters rare to the genre — namely, Ellie who is a queer Chinese-American teenager — with some pretty predictable narrative turns. You haven't seen this story done with these characters anywhere else before, but you'll feel like you have. That's a victory for the genre in its own right.* — A.F.

How to watch: The Half of It is now streaming on Netflix.

12. Easy, Seasons 1-3 Credit: Netflix

Joe Swanberg's Easy covers a lot of emotional ground, but the more romantic episodes definitely stand out.

An intimate anthology examining relationships in Chicago, this series weaves together so many genuine displays of feeling that it can be hard to keep your heart in check. Not all the characters fall in love, but you'll absolutely fall in love with all the characters. Start anywhere during any of the three seasons, and see where it gets you. (Tears. Tears is where it gets you.) — A.F.

How to watch: Easy Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.

11. The Incredible Jessica James Credit: Netflix

Get a masterclass in self-confidence and healthy communication from The Incredible Jessica James. Jessica Williams stars opposite Chris O'Dowd, with a supporting performance from LaKeith Stanfield. This charming tale of a woman who will stop at nothing to be loved the way she deserves explores so much of what makes romance the sticky business that it is. But this rom-com boasts just the right amount of optimism to keep you invested until its stunningly grounded happily ever after. — A.F.

How to watch: The Incredible Jessica James is now streaming on Netflix.

10. XO, Kitty, Seasons 1-2

Sometimes you just want to watch teens fall in love, and XO, Kitty — a spinoff of To All The Boys I've Loved Before — delivers in spades. Lana already has her match; now it's her younger sister Kitty's turn. 

Tired of the inconvenience of a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend Dae (Choi Min-young), Kitty (an exuberant Anna Cathcart) gets herself a year's scholarship to his boarding school in Korea. Here's hoping her perfectly planned romantic surprise goes exactly how she dreams it will, without any external complications whatsoever!!! With a boppy K-pop soundtrack, an endless series of juicy, if somewhat convoluted, plot twists, and a bright, cheerful vibe, XO, Kitty is the perfect kind of fun summer fluff.* — K.G.

How to watch: XO, Kitty Seasons 1-2 are now streaming on Netflix.

9. Alex Strangelove Credit: Walter Thomson / Netflix

To find true love, you've first got to find yourself.

Featuring heartbreaking performances from Daniel Doheny, Antonio Marziale, and Madeline Weinstein, Alex Strangelove is a coming-of-age story designed to make your palms sweat. A poignant and touching look at coming out, this world is filled with good people doing good things that will make any viewer need a handhold. — A.F.

How to watch: Alex Strangelove is now streaming on Netflix.

8. Always Be My Maybe Credit: Netflix

Fans of Netflix comedy special Baby Cobra were long overdue for a fictional Ali Wong fantasy, and Always Be My Maybe really, really delivers. Wong and Randall Park make for a delightful will-they-won't-they, complete with love triangles, awkward childhood flashbacks, Keanu Reeves in the role he was born to play, and authentic representations of the Asian-American experience. — A.F.

How to watch: Always Be My Maybe is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Emily in Paris, Seasons 1-4 Credit: Netflix

Created by Darren Starr (Sex and the City, Younger), Emily in Paris is the poppy Parisian fantasy you'll lap up like a "chatte" drinking "lait." Lily Collins stars as the titular expat, a young marketing professional from Chicago who gets an unexpected promotion that takes her to France. There she sells perfume, eats fine cheese, and, of course, falls for a hunky chef, played by Lucas Bravo. This show isn't 100% rom-com, but it's at least 75% rom-com. — A.F.

How to watch: Emily in Paris Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.

6. Sex Education, Seasons 1-4 Credit: Sam Taylor / Netflix

Sex Education had us from the moment its lead pretended to pretend to masturbate.

There's plenty to love about this perfectly cast teenage dramedy. But in light of the events of Seasons 2 and 3, nothing feels more pressing than the relationship between Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve (Emma Mackey) — except maybe Eric's (Ncuti Gatwa) ongoing love antics. At the heart of every great story is a great romance, and Sex Education has more than its fair share. — A.F.

How to watch: Sex Education Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.

5. Never Have I Ever, Seasons 1-4 Credit: Netflix

Created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, this smart, sweet coming-of-age story was among the most fulfilling new Netflix binges of 2020. And it just keeps wowing us.

Lead Maitreyi Ramakrishnan will steal your heart as Devi, a high school sophomore reeling from the loss of her father the year before — but with big plans for a future as vibrant and fearless as she is. As culturally important as it is authentic, Never Have I Ever serves not only as a critical step for representation, but also as a dreamy teen rom-com you'll adore.* — A.F.

How to watch: Never Have I Ever Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.

4. Bridgerton, Seasons 1-3, plus Queen Charlotte, A Bridgerton Story Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Where to begin with the scandalous, sexy, and silly sensation that is Bridgerton? In this period dramedy, Regency-era Londoners look for love under the critical eye of the Queen and a host of courtiers while dodging scandal at every turn. It's Gossip Girl meets Downton Abbey with a How to Get Away with Murder-type twist that's undeniably Shonda Rhimes. You're going to love it, so much so that you should plan on bingeing both seasons straight through. — A.F.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, is a lavish, ebullient triumph, and further evidence that Shonda Rhimes just doesn't miss. Delving into the personal history of the tragic, impulsive, and steely queen we know and love from Bridgerton Seasons 1 and 2, we watch a young girl transform into a formidable monarch — and fall in love along the way. The costumes are sumptuous, the drama juicy, and the romance slow-burning. It checks all the boxes while still making space for a thread of sadness that lends gravitas and complexity to the entire Bridgerton world. An ambitious and beautiful show that fully earns its shining crown as Netflix's newest darling.* — K.G.

How to watch: Bridgerton Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix, as is Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

3.Younger, Seasons 1-7

Bright, bubbly, and addictive, Younger is primed and ready to be your next rom-com binge. The plot is ridiculous, the outfits are loud, and the cast is beautiful — is this heaven? Sutton Foster is Liza Miller, a 40-year-old mom attempting to reenter the workforce after a messy divorce. But when no one will hire her because of the gaps in her resume, she gets hair extensions and pretends to be 26. And everyone believes her! Without Botox!!! With a new assistant job, a new young boyfriend, and a new twentysomething life, Liza is finally feeling like herself again… But how long can she go before the lies catch up with her?

Younger was a 2015 hit for creator Darren Star (Sex and the City, Emily in Paris) and it's still as juicy and fun as ever — as well as a nice nostalgic trip to a time when millennials were the young ones! — K.G.

How to watch: Younger Seasons 1-7 are now streaming on Netflix.

2. Set It Up Credit: Netflix

An enticing combination of The Devil Wears Prada and Jim and Pam's The Office romance, Set It Up makes workplace love almost seem like a good idea. Almost.

Starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as two overworked assistants intent on making their bosses fall for one another, this breezy comedy delivers on laughs and butterflies in equal measures. Plus, Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu hook up and it is very, very appealing. You're welcome. — A.F.

How to watch: Set It Up is now streaming on Netflix.

1. To All the Boys I've Loved Before Credit: Netflix

If you're reading this list, there's just no way you haven't seen To All the Boys I've Loved Before and its two sequels, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You and To All the Boys: Always and Forever. Then there's XO, Kitty, the spinoff series about the fan-favorite little sister played by Anna Cathcart, which has a season two on the way. As you wait for it, go ahead: Bask in the chemistry of Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. Delight in the drinkable yogurt representation. Consider why you never dressed this well in school. Then, send out your letters. — A.F.

How to watch: To All the Boys I've Loved Before is now streaming on Netflix.

Asterisks (*) indicate the entry comes from a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Nov. 7, 2025, 2:50 p.m. EST This story was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated since to reflect Netflix's catalogue.

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Sexting can open up a whole new frontier for your sex life. In my experience, it’s an exciting form of digital foreplay that builds anticipation like nothing else. But you can't just slide into someone's DMs on a random dating app and start a spicy conversation (unless you're on a site like AdultFriendFinder, where that's the whole point). Real sexting requires more thought, especially when it comes to your privacy.

As Mashable's resident dating app expert for the last three years, I've tested dozens of platforms to find the best and most discreet apps for the job. My highest priority is always user safety. I spoke with security expert Gary Orenstein, who stressed that for sharing intimate content, "privacy features cannot be optional — they’re essential." He recommends looking for apps with three key features: end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and screenshot detection.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to sexting

After all, if you believe in safe sex, you should practice safe sexting, too. Based on my hands-on testing and these expert criteria, I’ve picked the best sexting apps that will keep your chats private.

Recent updates to this guide:

We regularly test new apps and dating platforms. For our most recent update to this guide in November 2025, we made the following changes:

• Added a new section explaining why some apps (especially those using paid chat operators) didn't make our list of recommendations.

• Confide: We've once again named this the best overall sexting app, replacing Signal as the top pick. We still recommend Signal as the best free secure messaging app. On balance, we think Confide's security and privacy tools give it the edge.

• Lovesense Remote: We added Lovesense Remote as the app that's "Best for Group Sexting." Lovesense Remote is also a fun way for couples (and polyamorous folks) to incorporate sexting and Bluetooth sex toys to their love life.

• FetLife: We named FetLife "Best for Niche Kinks & Fetishes." This social networking platform is popular in the kinkster community and can be a good way to connect with sexy new friends.

What about other sexting sites?

You've probably seen other "best of" lists that include apps I've left off. As Mashable's dating expert, I've tested dozens of platforms, and my goal is to recommend apps for genuine connections that prioritize your safety. Here's why some popular platforms didn't make the cut.

• A note on "paid operator" sites: Many platforms marketed for sexting (like InstaBang, Arousr, SweetSext, and SextLocal) don't primarily connect you with other real users. Instead, they often use "paid operators" or "professional chat partners" to provide a fantasy-driven, transactional experience. While there's nothing wrong with that, it's a paid fantasy service, not mutual sexting. My list (with the clear exception of SextPanther, which we've labeled as the "Best Sexting Service" for connecting with actual adult performers) focuses on apps for genuine, user-to-user interaction.

• Couple's apps: You also won't find apps like Between on this list. While it's a private messenger for couples, it's not really a sexting app. For couples who want to enhance their digital intimacy, our picks (like We-Vibe and Lovesense Remote) offer a much more interactive experience by integrating with teledildonics.