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If you've chatted with any single friend lately or scrolled through social media, you know the general consensus: People are exhausted by online dating. App fatigue is real, it's excruciating, and it makes finding a genuine connection online feel impossible. As someone who's been testing and reviewing dating apps for years, I get asked one question constantly: Which dating apps actually work?

My answer is always the same: The only "hack" is choosing the right app for what you actually want. Someone on eharmony is looking for a ring, while users on hookup apps like Tinder are... well, you know what they're looking for.

I always follow up this advice with one more piece of wisdom: Don't give up! Despite burnout, the best dating apps remain among the most reliable ways to meet a partner. A 2025 SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus found that 65 percent of people aged 18 to 29 have used a dating app, and a 2023 Pew Research Center report found that one in five young people met their significant other on one.

You just need the right tool. That's why I've put in the hours, the swipes, and the subscription fees to find the best dating app for every kind of single person. To help you find your match, these are all of the top dating apps worth downloading in 2026.

If you need even more personalized advice, check out our guides to the best dating apps for men, women, and the LGBTQ community.

The dating apps I'd skip (and why)

You'll probably notice a few popular apps are missing from my list. That’s intentional. Part of my job is to filter out the platforms that aren't worth your time, money, or sanity. An app doesn't get my recommendation just because it's well-known — it has to be effective and safe.

Here are a few popular dating apps I'd skip:

• Plenty of Fish (POF): I know this one shows up on a lot of lists, but in my opinion, it's a dating app ghost town. POF launched as a dating site back in 2003, and it shows. In my experience (and based on widespread user feedback), the platform is filled with bots and scams, and the odds of finding a quality connection are stacked against you. Unless you enjoy sifting through fake profiles, I think your time is better spent elsewhere.

• Raya: Raya is basically the Soho House of dating apps. It's exclusive, expensive, and not for the average person. You have to fill out an application to use it, and the vetting process can take anywhere from a few days to a few years. While it might be great for networking or bagging an influencer, it's just not a practical recommendation for most people who are simply looking for a date. (See also: The League.)

• Niche "hookup" sites (like BeNaughty, Fling, etc.): There's a chance you've seen ads for sites like these, which promise quick, no-strings-attached fun. Based on my research and countless user reviews, I'd advise you to steer clear. These platforms are notorious for being overrun with bots and having questionable billing practices, with users reporting unexpected and hard-to-cancel subscription charges.

We're in the year of the roller mop robot vacuum. While the dual rotating mopping pad setup was heavily favored for most of 2025, the whole industry is doubling down on the roller's heavy-duty spill cleanup in 2026. The thing is, roller mop vacuums haven't been a chill purchase so far. Most take up a lot of floor space and cost $1,000 or more. As the robot vacuum pipeline goes, a need quickly arose for the premium roller mop feature to be condensed into a more budget-friendly and space-friendly package. That's where the Eufy C28 comes in — I've been testing it at home against the other top robot vacuums of the past year, including high-end roller mops like the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller and the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow.

Eufy Robot Vacuum C28 $599.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $200   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Eufy What's special about the Eufy C28?

The Eufy C28 is the most affordable mainstream roller mop robot vacuum we've seen so far. Its official MSRP of $799.99 is already lower than the regular asking price of others in this category, but its special $599.99 launch price is unprecedentedly cheap for the budding roller mop category. The cutback on price also comes with a cutback in suction power: The Eufy C28 has 15,000 Pa compared to the 30,000+ Pa models coming out of CES 2026.

The Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller's huge dock is much more appropriate for Sansa. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Eufy's roller (right) doesn't seem as fluffy as Dreame's (left). Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The C28's compactness is also a huge selling point for consumers shopping for small spaces. The dock takes up far less room than most docks of the other best robot vacuum and mop combos that wash and dry their own mopping pads. (The new Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow's dock is a similar size, but it's a few hundred dollars more expensive.) This size comparison immediately had me thinking back to all of my smushed NYC apartments. The Eufy C28 is the rare compact robot vacuum that would have been a realistic squeeze.

SEE ALSO: Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete first impressions: It's tied for the most powerful robot vacuum of 2026. OK, prove it. Is the Eufy C28 good at mopping?

When it comes to big spills and dried stains, the Eufy C28 is easily the most efficient robot mop in the $600 to $800 price range I've ever tested. It even held its own against the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller and Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow.

Dust pickup has been one of the two overarching advantages of all of the roller mop robot vacuums I've tested so far, and the Eufy C28's roller has been leaving my tile and hardwood floors speck-free. The radius around a litter box is the ultimate dry debris test for a robot vacuum's mopping skills — especially the Litter-Robot in my kitchen, which uses tiny brown litter that blends in with the brown wooden floor. Instead of trying to eyeball, the Dyson PencilVac's laser set up such a clear before-and-after montage of the C28's mastery of dust and dirt.

Left: Before Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Right: After Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Kitty litter dust is so fine and clingy that a vacuum alone often can't lift the particles. But a wet pressurized roller mop coming through is the closest you'll get to a person's hand wiping with a wet towel. The C28's roller measures almost 11 inches long, so it covers a lot of ground in one pass, too. That perfectly polished trail tells me that the Eufy C28 would be a great robot vacuum for pet hair on hard floors.

The Eufy C28 has also been doing a solid job of sopping up a variety of liquid spills, from wine and orange juice to ranch and conditioner that exploded on my bathroom floor. The C28 handily wiped up spilled wine and all chunks of spilled salsa on its first attempt (I just know even the best spinning mopping pads would have spattered some peppers around). I sent it back for a second pass to absorb the faint liquid-y streak left at the site of the splatter, but I wouldn't even compare that "smearing" to the foot-long smear of assorted condiments that other robot mops have left in my kitchen. Roller mop robot vacuums rinse themselves as they're mopping to prevent gunking up the rest of the floor — Eufy says its HydroJet system cleans itself nine times per second.

The floor was covered in long hair, cat litter, and blobs of conditioner. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The C28 got it all, other than a few crystals left at the edge of the litter box. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

But I'm most surprised about the fact that the Eufy C28 doesn't completely flop along edges. Its roller mop doesn't extend out from under the vacuum like the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow's does, but the C28's square-shaped body has successfully made the bot more wall-friendly (and I've seen some robot vacs with flat sides that still cut corners). It might miss the first corner of the cleaning session while it gets its bearings, or if the flat edge is only a foot or two long. But overall, the Eufy C28 has skimmed walls, closed closet doors, and right up against our shoes near the front door.

Is the Eufy C28 good on carpet?

For having half the suction power of the most powerful robot vacuums in 2026, the Eufy C28 has proven to be pretty potent on the various rugs in my apartment. Its 15,000 Pa was potent enough to clear a mess of spilled catnip and crushed potato chips from my tufted living room rug, leaving no visible crumbs behind. The lint roller test afterward only revealed a few minuscule catnip flakes and some light cat hair and fuzzies.

I laid out a trail of crumbs for the vacuum. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Literally ate and left no crumbs. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

I probably wouldn't classify the Eufy C28 as one of the absolute best robot vacuums for pet hair on carpet, but it could reliably keep up with surface-level shedding from a pet or two if you run it every day. Case in point: I gathered a big handful of lint from the dryer and dragged it all over the plush rug in the hallway, making sure to press the gray fluff into the furs. The C28 left that white rug virtually spotless.

The Eufy C28 didn't just give up on debris lingering around rug edges, either, and that's the last rug-related win I expected from the budget vacuum. Here's what I've gathered: What the C28 lacks in technical suction power, it makes up for by taking its damn time. My number one tip to make any robot vacuum work better is to simply make every cleaning session a twofer — any robot vac is bound to miss some spots the first time around. And the Eufy C28 takes that second pass seriously.

Sansa is supervising the catnip cleanup. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

After the standard "edges first, center last" sweep of session number one, the C28 goes back with a whole new game plan. Its cleaning path will often be perpendicular to what it did the first time, and every few seconds, it fully pauses to spin in a circle over the same spot to uproot the real stubborn stuff. This strategy worked wonders when straddling the rug and wood floor.

Factors I'm keeping an eye on

Competition from Dreame and Roborock aside, the Eufy C28's spotlight gets stolen a little bit by the unassuming Eufy E28. I personally don't think enough people know about this model from April 2025. The E28 is a roller mop robot vacuum mop combo that comes with a portable carpet cleaner built into the self-empty dock, and its 20,000 Pa of suction power slightly surpasses the C28's 15,000 Pa. It's more expensive than the C28 if they're both at full price, but the E28 is almost always on sale for $699.99 — just $100 more than the C28's $599.99 sale price at launch. Though the C28's edge scrubbing feels more evolved this year, the Eufy E28 could be an easier sell to pet parents in carpeted homes.

SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it?

While I have no concerns with the Eufy C28's overall smart mapping accuracy, its actual driving is a little bit wobbly. Literally. The best way I can describe it is the shaky steering of a kid who's riding without training wheels for the first time. The swiveling could cause it to miss some crumbs around the outskirts of the room (when it's really just supposed to be driving in a straight line). It was swerving enough to get itself wedged between my kitchen rug and dishwasher for almost a minute before ramming its way out. And that doesn't feel like an obstacle avoidance issue, since the C28 has been pretty perceptive otherwise. Its 4.5-inch build just isn't slim enough to safely scoot under most dishwashers or low-clearance furniture and cabinets.

The C28 eventually got itself out, but it left with some scrapes. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Eufy C28 is also one of the louder robot vacuums I've tested in the past year. The blaring roar of its max suction mode is somehow more intense than that of robot vacuums with twice the power. But the C28's auto-empty whoosh is the real jump scare — I haven't needed to plug my ears like that since the Roomba j7+ in 2021.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A thin atmospheric layer.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

OZONE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An infectious disease.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

POLIO

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Part of a flower.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PETAL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Land.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

TERRA

Final Hurdle hint

Popular.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

KNOWN

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

The Moon is so very close to being full, but believe it or not, there's still a few days to go. While it continues to appear bigger and brighter in the sky, keep reading to find out exactly what you can see on its surface.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Feb. 28, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 88% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

With just your naked eye, tonight you'll be able to see the Mares Tranquillitatis and Crisium. With binoculars you'll be able to see the Mare Nectaris, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Alps Mountains. If you love your moon-gazing gear, get out the telescope to catch a glimpse of and with a telescope you'll see also see the Apollo 15 and 11 landing spots, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. Over the course of this period, it moves through eight recognisable phases, what we call the lunar cycle. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it continues along its path. The shifts in sunlight create the different appearances we see from Earth, ranging from a fully illuminated Moon to a thin sliver or near darkness. The eight 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.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

The online world is full of content restrictions and blockades. It might not always seem like that, but look around. More and more restrictions on your movement are coming into force.

Porn naturally comes with a lot of restrictions, but there's really nothing wrong with adults visiting their favorite sites at entirely appropriate moments. When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like XNXX from any network and location. And fortunately, you can do exactly that with a quick and easy hack.

If you want to unblock porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to unblock XNXX for free

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free

Unblock porn sites like XNXX by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to XNXX

4. Visit XNXX

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like XNXX without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from a secure network.

If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like XNXX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock XNXX for free with ExpressVPN.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're into astrology.

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 28, 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: Yearning

• Green: On the road again

• Blue: Male callings

• Purple: Space terms

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Craving

• Green: Jobs that involve traveling

• Blue: Name homophones

• Purple: Astronomical terms plus a letter

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 #993 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Craving: DESIRE, ITCH, THIRST, URGE

• Jobs that involve traveling: CRUISE DIRECTOR, PILOT, ROADIE, SALESMAN

• Name homophones: EARNEST, KNEEL, RUSTLE, TAILOR

• Astronomical terms plus a letter: COMETH, NOVAK, START, SUNG

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 28, 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 like the finer things in life.

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 28, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Dressing up

The words are related to wealth.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe expensive things.

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 Glamorous.

NYT Strands word list for February 28

• Heels

• Necktie

• Tuxedo

• Gown

• Glamorous

• Cufflinks

• Diamonds

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love Greek mythology.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 28, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A mythological creature.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter H.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

HYDRA

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle 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.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 Wordle.

Negotiations between the Pentagon and the AI company Anthropic were severely complicated on Friday when President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the government would stop utilizing the company’s tech. The president ordered the Pentagon to begin a six-month phase-out, accusing Anthropic of being run by "Leftwing nut jobs."

The Truth Social post said that Anthropic wanted the government to abide by its terms of service.

"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL NEVER ALLOW A RADICAL LEFT, WOKE COMPANY TO DICTATE HOW OUR GREAT MILITARY FIGHTS AND WINS WARS!,” Trump wrote. “That decision belongs to YOUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, and the tremendous leaders I appoint to run our Military. The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution."

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Truth Social

The federal government and Anthropic have been at odds for weeks as they tried to hammer out an agreement on how the military can use Claude, Anthropic’s AI model. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has been firm that he will not allow the Pentagon to use Claude for mass surveillance of Americans or to create autonomous weapons, like pilotless drones.

The government reportedly agreed to those terms, according to the New York Times, but the contract's legal language provided too much wiggle room for Anthropic’s comfort. Anthropic is known for taking a more cautious approach to AI development, and its founders famously left OpenAI over AI safety concerns.

On Thursday, Amodei explained his stance in a blog post:

"Anthropic understands that the Department of War, not private companies, makes military decisions. We have never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner.

However, in a narrow set of cases, we believe AI can undermine, rather than defend, democratic values. Some uses are also simply outside the bounds of what today’s technology can safely and reliably do."

A deadline of Friday evening was set for an agreement between the Pentagon and Anthropic. It’s not clear if Trump’s announcement of a phase-out will equate to more time for negotiation or if the government is truly moving forward with firing Anthropic by declaring it a supply chain risk. The government may also seek to compel Anthropic to agree to its terms through the Defense Production Act, according to the Times. The government may also choose another AI partner, like Elon Musk's Grok, but CIA officials believe that product is inferior to Anthropic's, the Times reports.

Following the president's Friday afternoon announcement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appeared on CNBC and voiced support for Anthropic. "For all the differences I have with Anthropic, I mostly trust them as a company and I think they really do care about safety, and I’ve been happy that they’ve been supporting our war fighters," Altman said, according to a clip of the appearance posted to X.

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Meanwhile, dozens of employees at Google and OpenAI, both competitors of Anthropic, signed letters backing Amodei’s stances. And outside Anthropic’s San Francisco headquarters, words of support appeared in chalk on the sidewalk, according to a post on X.

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This week, Anthropic softened its safety policy — often viewed as one of the strongest in Silicon Valley — citing competitors' reluctance to do the same and the federal government’s disinterest in prioritizing security.

"The policy environment has shifted toward prioritizing AI competitiveness and economic growth, while safety-oriented discussions have yet to gain meaningful traction at the federal level," the company wrote. "We remain convinced that effective government engagement on AI safety is both necessary and achievable, and we aim to continue advancing a conversation grounded in evidence, national security interests, economic competitiveness, and public trust. But this is proving to be a long-term project—not something that is happening organically as AI becomes more capable or crosses certain thresholds."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

For decades, Resident Evil has constantly reinvented itself. From fixed-camera survival horror to explosive co-op action to first-person psychological terror. At times, those reinventions pushed the franchise to the brink of losing its identity entirely. But through resets, remakes, and refinement, Capcom rediscovered what truly defined the series: structured vulnerability, spatial tension, and controlled escalation.

With Resident Evil 9, the franchise no longer feels reactive. It feels confident. In this episode of How It Hits, we break down how Resident Evil survived itself, and why it finally feels like everything has come together.

Resident Evil Requiem is now available.

Honda is the most fuel-efficient automaker in the United States, according to the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Automotive Trends Report. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of fuel economy and vehicle technology data across the U.S. light-duty vehicle market from 1975 through 2024, with preliminary 2025 data.

TL;DR: Avoid the dreaded low-battery alert on your devices with this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable, now just $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $21.99
$49.99 Save $28.00   Get Deal

Sick of keeping up with all the chargers your devices require? From what seems like constantly changing iPhones chargers to requiring a different type for your iPad and laptop, it can feel like a full-time job keeping up with your charging cables. That’s where GoCable comes in, offering an 8-in-1 keyring cable you can take along anywhere.

Right now, you can score a GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable for just $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

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Whether you’re heading on vacation or just trying to stay powered up on a workday, this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable is ready to simplify how you keep your devices charged. This convenient gadget combines eight essential features into one sleek design that you can bring along anywhere.

Packed with 100W ultra-fast charging, the GoCable makes it speedy and simple to supercharge your device efficiently — from laptops to smartphones and everything in between. It also offers high-speed file transfer capabilities. All you need to add is a power bank or wall adapter, and it’s ready to work with everything from Type-C and Type-C+ to Apple Lightning connectors.

If you’re curious about a device’s charging status, an LED power display provides real-time status information. The magnetic cable also ensures you don’t have to deal with annoying tangled cables; just toss it in a bag and rest easy knowing it will be mess-free.

Aside from keeping devices powered up efficiently, the GoCable includes hidden tools for extra convenience. You’ll have quick access to a bottle opener and a hidden cutter for opening packages safely. The included carabiner clip lets you attach this to bags or belts in seconds, so you can always keep it within arm’s reach.

Get this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable for only $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

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February has been a turbulent month for DJI. The Chinese tech giant, best known for making drones, escalated its fight against the U.S. drone ban by suing the FCC. Then the internet erupted over an entirely different DJI device: The Romo robot vacuum.

Thousands of Romo vacuums and their live cameras worldwide were reportedly hacked — and not by an evil mastermind sitting in a room surrounded by screens, but by a guy trying to get his PS5 controller to control his robot vacuum.

Sammy Azdoufal told The Verge he wasn't trying to hack anyone else's robot vacuum. It was merely a fun project for the software engineer, who alerted DJI about its massive authentication slip-up — while sharing how little work it took to access the ins and outs of a Romo owner's home.

SEE ALSO: Firefox adds AI kill switch for users who are sick and tired of AI-everything

And yes, AI was involved. Azdoufal specializes in AI strategy; he got coding help from AI assistant Claude to change the communication protocol between DJI's servers and his Romo.

After creating a custom app for his PlayStation setup, Azdoufal discovered he was looking at way more than his own robot vacuum's data. He'd accidentally unlocked the data of thousands of DJI robot vacuum owners around the world.

The exposed information wasn't just 3D floor plans of homes, which would be bad enough. But the device's live camera feeds and microphone audio were also accessible.

As of Feb. 24, DJI has patched the problem by restricting access to this authentication loophole, Azdoufal found. Meanwhile, the Romo itself appears to have vanished from the online DJI Store, as of Feb. 26.

New fear unlocked: Your robot vacuum as a spy

Even with this issue fixed, the idea that someone could spy on you via your robot vacuum doesn't exactly boost confidence in the whole category. What if another brand of camera-toting robot vacuum brand has a similar undiscovered security flaw — and what if the person who discovers it isn't as goodhearted as Azdoufal?

We've had glimpses of this kind of vulnerability in the past. In 2024, multiple Ecovacs Deebot X2 robot vacuums across the U.S. were hacked and made to yell racial slurs at owners. Other smart home devices with cameras have faced security breaches, from baby monitors to smart doorbells.

But a robot vacuum is the only kind of device that regularly roves around your home. That gives this vulnerability a unique sense of foreboding, perhaps enough to provide the plot to a found footage horror film.

And of course, there are even more opportunities for bad actors when AI has access to personal info.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft says Copilot was summarizing confidential emails without permission

I test robot vacuums for a living, and I really don't want to have to be paranoid about their camera usage. The livestream camera is an incredibly comforting robot vacuum feature for pet parents who get anxious about leaving pets at home alone.

All of the robovacs I've tested have announced out loud when they're in remote viewing mode. But not all robot vacuums provide that courtesy notification (the DJI Romo, for one, does not).

In any case, if a hacker was able to get to the point that they could control the vacuum's camera, would it be that hard for them to disable the warning? While the issue remains, it might be wise to disable your vacuum's camera, at least when not in use, with the lowest-tech hack of all: putting tape over it.

Big three-row SUVs like the Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Nissan Armada deliver serious space and road presence, but they’re not exactly known for being gentle at the pump. That’s fine for road trips, but it stings a lot more during school runs and grocery hauls.

TL;DR: Let kids learn while having fun with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, on sale now for just $44.97 with code PLAY through March 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $44.97
$250 Save $205.03   Get Deal

Looking for a guilt-free way to give your kids a little screen time? Pok Pok is the answer parents have been looking for — offering a Montessori-based approach to learning and fun for kids ages 2 to 8.

Right now, you can keep the learning going with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, on sale for $44.97 with code PLAY through March 22.

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Screen time is a controversial topic these days. If you’re looking for a non-addictive way to let kids have a little fun on the tablet, it’s time to meet Pok Pok. This award-winning app keeps kids entertained while serving as a great introduction to screen time with hand-drawn animations, low stimulation, and in-house-made gentle sound effects.

With a Montessori-based approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, independence, and natural development, Pok Pok makes learning fun. This way of learning allows kids to navigate the app on their own as they learn STEM concepts, numbers, and language. There are no rules, levels, objectives, winners, or losers — they just get to have fun.

This app was made in collaboration with early childhood experts, so it has been thoughtfully crafted to made sure each experience in Pok Pok is enriching and supportive your little one’s development. It’s also COPPA certified and GDPR compliant, so you can rest easy knowing your kids won’t be tricked into making any purchases.

Your lifetime subscription includes new content, with seasonal and cultural updates. You’ll also get an exclusive surprise gift mailed directly to your door.

Give your kids a safe screen time option with lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, on sale now for just $44.97 with code PLAY through March 22.

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OpenAI is speaking out about changes and overhauls coming to its safety protocols and communications with law enforcement after a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, that left nine dead, including the shooter, earlier this month.

The perpetrator of the shooting had their ChatGPT account suspended in June 2025 after OpenAI detected content from the user that presented "an indication of potential real-world violence." OpenAI banned the user and considered alerting authorities. However, OpenAI decided not to inform law enforcement after determining that the user had no credible plan to act out.

OpenAI's decision not to alert authorities has become a major concern of the Canadian government.

While OpenAI did have a protocol to handle credible threats, the company is now saying it will do more. In an open letter to the Canadian government, OpenAI's Vice President of Global Policy Ann M. O’Leary did not offer any specific policy changes, but did mention that changes were already being implemented and more were coming.

In addition, O'Leary also shared another oversight in OpenAI's protocols. According to OpenAI's open letter, the Tumbler Ridge shooter had opened a second ChatGPT account, which the company only discovered after the shooting occurred and the name of the shooter was publicly released. OpenAI did share that account with police after making the discovery.

In its open letter, OpenAI says it will "continue to strengthen" its law enforcement referral protocol. The company said it's working with mental health experts to better assess difficult cases and when conversations cross the line into being a risk.

OpenAI also said they are establishing a direct point of contact with Canadian law enforcement to refer cases with potential for "real world violence."

ChatGPT will also be tweaked to provide help to users who are in distress or are pursuing prohibited behavior by providing them resources to localized support within their communities. 

In addition, OpenAI said it is addressing its protocols that allowed for the shooter to open a second account. The company said it had a system in place to detect repeat policy offenders and is committing to "strengthening our detection systems to better prevent attempts to evade our safeguards and prioritize identifying the highest risk offenders."

Mashable has reached out to OpenAI for additional information regarding these policy overhauls and to find out whether these affect the company's policies in the United States as well. We will update this piece when we hear back.

Streaming has given anime an incredible global reach, and Netflix has been a vital part in introducing the medium to wider audiences. Between distributing series new and old and playing a part in the production of several hits, I feel the service has created an ideal anime gateway for newcomers to dive into a new medium that they may not have considered otherwise. From shonen battles to romantic comedies, there is a varied selection that offers a little something for everyone.

Streaming has given anime an incredible global reach, and Netflix has been a vital part in introducing the medium to wider audiences. Between distributing series new and old and playing a part in the production of several hits, I feel the service has created an ideal anime gateway for newcomers to dive into a new medium that they may not have considered otherwise. From shonen battles to romantic comedies, there is a varied selection that offers a little something for everyone.

TL;DR: Give your family a more peaceful internet experience with this lifetime subscription to AdGuard Family Plan, on sale now for just $19.97 through March 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $19.97
$169.99 Save $150.02   Get Deal

For better or worse, we all spend a lot of time on the internet. What if you could change the way you browse and banish online ads for good? AdGuard makes it happen, offering an internet free of pop-ups, videos, and banner ads while keeping you safer online.

Right now, you can score a lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan, on sale for just $19.97 for two more days through March 1.

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It’s time to enjoy the internet as it was meant to be browsed — peaceful and ad-free. AdGuard is an advanced ad-blocking module that not only blocks ads from appearing on your screen but also keeps you safer online.

Save time closing out annoying pop-up ads and quieting video ads with this tool. It not only makes your time online more enjoyable but also keeps you safer. AdGuard keeps your data safe — it helps block trackers, hides your data, and stops malware, phishing sites, and cyberattacks.

This AdGuard Family Plan keeps your little ones in mind too, helping protect up to nine devices at once. Parental control features help keep them safer online, serving as a watchful eye and helping shield them from inappropriate content.

It’s compatible with both Android and iOS, so you can use AdGuard on smartphones, tablets, computers, and more. This lifetime subscription includes future updates and new features, so you can rest easy knowing it’s an investment built to last.

Get this lifetime subscription to AdGuard Family Plan, on sale now for just $19.97 until March 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SD cards and SSDs have one major thing in common: both run on NAND flash memory. Despite that, they're still drastically different in many ways, and that includes failures.