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Could you learn all that you need to know about reading, science, and math in just two hours? Two hours spent staring at a screen, with the help of an AI teacher, that is? 

A small group of students across the country are testing it out. They're the next generation of learners molded and shaped by the tech teaching of Alpha School, the "AI-powered private school" touted by the federal government as a possible future for education. 

SEE ALSO: How Minneapolis used tech to make ICE retreat

In a September visit to an Alpha School campus in Austin, Texas, Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon said that the school was full of potential, an "exemplary" case of what tech can do for American education. The school's co-founders claim there is strong interest in their learning system, which has gained favor among advocates of expanded school choice and alternative learning. 

But what exactly is Alpha School selling — and should we take its model seriously?

What is Alpha School?

Alpha School was founded in 2014 by educational podcaster and 2 Hour Learning founder MacKenzie Price and software and private equity billionaire Joe Liemandt. It's not new to the scene, and it exists within a plethora of tech-focused alternative school programs sold to families discouraged by public school curriculum. 

AI developers, including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, have pushed their way into academia, releasing products designed for classroom instruction, educator support, and general student learning. Meanwhile, educational companies have designed their own products to build on their standard course materials, like specialized chatbots for specific math courses or leveled reading skills.

Alpha School suggests something more extreme. Instead of a helpful supplement to human learning, AI is the students' sole instructor, grader, and academic administrator.  

The K-12 curriculum was designed with assistance from "world-renowned learning scientists, advanced degreed academic experts and researchers," Alpha School says. 

Like other alternative schools, students divide their time between a practical and academic curriculum: Students spend just two hours each day on core subjects, reading and math, "using A.I.-driven software," the New York Times reports. AI-supported practical skill-building — like entrepreneurship, public speaking, and financial literacy — takes up the rest. All of it is tracked on an AI platform that creates highly individualized lesson plans for each student, rather than classes as a whole. Schools do not employ teachers, but rather human "guides" who do not manage grades or curriculum but can offer specialized teaching, like handwriting. Guides don't need postgraduate or educational degrees to work for Alpha. 

"What if your child could crush academics in just 2 hours and spend the rest of their day unlocking limitless potential?" the private school writes on its website. "Your kids can accomplish twice as much if they’re not sitting in a one-size-fits-all classroom for 6 hours."

In a New York Times article from last year, the school reported serving 200 K-8th-grade students and another 50 high school-level students, it expected to expand to dozens of locations by the end of 2025. Tuition ranges from $10,000 to $75,000 a year, reported CNN. 

Is there an Alpha School near me?

Alpha School operates in-person classes – some of which are conducted in leased spaces at existing private schools — in several states around the country, including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Brownsville, Texas, the SpaceX company town tied to CEO Elon Musk. Many of these locations overlap with major tech hubs, like campuses in Palo Alto and San Francisco. 

Alpha also offers an at-home learning program, Alpha Anywhere, that provides personalized courses, academic support, and professional coaching. 

Does AI-based learning actually work?

Parents who placed their kids in Alpha School years ago say their children had mixed experiences. Many eventually pulled their children from the program, reported CNN in a recent Alpha School investigation. Parents told the publication that they had reservations about relying on apps for learning, with little to no human intervention. They found that the AI instructors had set hard-to-meet goals, forcing students to overwork themselves without the support and flexibility of a human instructor. 

Alpha School's lack of human involvement is particularly worrisome, according to some learning experts.  

"While I do think personalized AI tutors can work well if designed in a way that supports productive struggle, decoupling the human connection from instruction entirely seems very concerning. How can humans play the role of ‘motivators’ if they are not even involved in instruction?" said Hamsa Bastani, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and AI researcher. 

"When you have a school that is strictly A.I., it is violating that core precept of the human endeavor and of education," Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, told the Times last year. 

Bastani and her colleagues are open to AI's learning potential, but the science hasn't quite gotten there yet. Bastani was co-author of a 2024 study that found that highly motivated students could benefit from AI-assisted studying — but the tech had little effect on actual test scores. Additional research has shown that AI can have modest positive gains for student learning, in specific scenarios, while other studies have found AI chatbots to hinder learning perception and impede types of thinking. To summarize: There is no scientific consensus on the impact of universally designed chatbots, such as ChatGPT, on learning. 

Just as alarming, experts say, is Alpha School's lack of open evaluation, which, Bastani explains, is necessary to iterate and improve AI systems. A lack of internal or independent human evaluation "sets the stage for bad AI design broadly," Bastani says. 

Still, the desire for new modes of learning, amid an overburdened and underfunded education system, is strong. The U.S. government and its Big Tech allies, both with their own AI agendas, see the new tech as a solution. But we are still reckoning with the effect of screen time and a new wave of Generative AI tools on young learners. And, as experts say, the science just isn't there yet. 

Fire TV devices are finally getting an overhauled home screen, with easier navigation and faster performance. The update was announced back in January, and it’s now rolling out to TVs.

Google Home smart speakers used to be the clear-cut winners in the virtual assistant device category. However, if you’ve been using Nest smart home devices recently, you’ve probably noticed a significant drop in quality. This has been happening to a lot of people for a long time, and the company knows it.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who seems to have a direct line into goings on at Apple HQ, reported today that Apple is working on a trio of new AI wearables — smart glasses, a pendant-style AI device, and AI-powered AirPods.

Gurman reports that all three products would be "linked to Apple's iPhone," be built around Siri, and utilize a "camera system." Other companies have released smart glasses and AI pendants with onboard cameras, but wireless earbuds featuring cameras would be highly unusual. According to Gurman's reporting, the AI pendant and AirPods wouldn't use cameras for photography purposes, but only to power AI features.

In addition, Gurman reports that Apple CEO Tim Cook told employees that Apple will be focusing heavily on AI devices. Of course, there's no guarantee the new AI devices will eventually land on store shelves, though Gurman's Apple reporting is usually rock solid.

Smart glasses come in a variety of form factors, but Apple is rumored to be working on a pair of high-end glasses with a built-in display and camera system. Gurman says the glasses are called N50 internally at Apple, shedding new light on a product that's been rumored since early last year.

SEE ALSO: The best smart glasses we saw at CES 2026

Even though early AI wearables have largely failed to launch, big tech companies like Apple, OpenAI, Meta, Google, and Samsung are all racing to produce new AI wearables and/or smart glasses. Sales of Meta smart glasses reportedly tripled in 2025, and Google is expected to release its Android XR smart glasses by the end of the year. Recent advances in generative AI have made these types of devices more capable, such as by giving users the ability to translate foreign languages in real-time, for example.

However, Apple fans may have to wait longer for AI glasses. As Mashable reported earlier today, market research company Omdi predicts that Apple smart glasses won't arrive until 2028. However, Gurman's report contradicts that forecast, with Bloomberg reporting that Apple AI glasses could go into production this year, ahead of a 2027 release.

Apple has been playing catch-up in the artificial intelligence arms race, and the company recently tapped Google Gemini to power a long-awaited AI revamp of Siri. Even though Apple has fallen behind in developing AI technology, the company is still reporting record sales. On top of that, as competitors ramp up their capital expenditures to never-before-seen levels to build new AI infrastructure, Apple is keeping its new spending flat, putting it in an enviable position in 2026.

Or, as the Motley Fool put it, Apple may be winning the AI race by staying out of it.

Getting older can sometimes limit our ability to do basic tasks like turning on a lamp behind the couch or going down a flight of stairs to lock the door. Smart devices can make those tasks more accessible even to older adults with new limitations, so I put them to good use to help my parents.

Did you buy a new iPad and wonder what to do with your old Android tablet? Or are you finding that your new iPad isn’t a solid replacement for it? I’ve been there—and here’s how I use both my old Android tablet and my new iPad Air M2 side by side.

Smart homes let you control your devices remotely, but the true power comes from automation. Having your lights turn on when you walk into a room beats having to pull out your phone or tap a button on a dashboard. It's easy to fall into the trap of creating automations with the wrong focus, however.

SAVE $100: As of Feb. 17, get the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for $199, down from their usual price of $299 at Amazon. That's a discount of 33%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $199 at Amazon
$299 Save $100   Get Deal

When it comes to earbuds, there are tons to choose from. You can go with the tried-and-true AirPods, try great budget options from Nothing, and everything else in between. But if you haven't tried what Bose has to offer with its Ultra Open model, now's the time to do so, especially with the excellent deal going on right now at Amazon.

As of Feb. 17, get the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for $199, down from their usual price of $299 at Amazon. That's $100 off and a discount of 33%.

SEE ALSO: Sony's new XM6 earbuds are finally here — but you'll want to brace yourself

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have an interesting clip-on shape that attaches to your ear to give you a comfortable and secure fit. That way you get open sound to hear everything around you while receiving private audio straight to your ear. They support spatialized sound with Bose Immersive Audio as well, so you can feel like you're right there inside the music.

All you have to do is hook the buds over your ear and they'll stay put, even if you're planning on wearing them to the gym. They boast IPX4 water resistance so they're sweat and waterproof, with acoustic mesh that keeps out moisture and other debris. If you want lengthy listening time, you'll get up to 7 hours of playtime and 4 with Immersive Audio on, as well as up to 48 hours of standby. The included charging case will get you another 2.5 full charges when they're finally worn down.

If you're ready to try something different, this is your chance. Just be sure to get them while they're still on sale.

Not too long ago, I was convinced my Wi-Fi problems had a simple solution: buy something bigger. So I did what a lot of people do. I went out and bought the biggest, fastest router I could find. And to be fair, things improved. Speeds were better, connections were more stable, and I felt like I’d made a smart upgrade. But it still didn’t reach every corner of my house the way I needed it to. Dead spots lingered. Certain rooms still felt like they were stuck in 2012. Turns out, I didn't need faster internet. I needed a better network.

There are some stories the internet collectively decides to care about.

This week, it's a little monkey named Punch.

Punch — or more colloquially, Punch-kun — is a baby macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba, Japan, near Tokyo. Born in July 2025, he was rejected by his mother shortly after birth. In the wild, that would have meant certain death. At the zoo, where Punch was raised through hand-rearing, it meant something else: survival, and a substitute for the one thing zookeepers couldn't provide.

A plush toy.

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In photos and videos that have now spread across X and Instagram, Punch rarely lets go of his stuffed orangutan doll. He clings to it while he sleeps. He carries it on his back. When he’s frightened or overwhelmed, he presses his face into it, as if trying to disappear. Unfortunately, the other monkeys in the enclosure haven't taken to Punch as warmly as the internet has, though he is making some strides.

SEE ALSO: Why we’re all in love with a little hippo named Moo Deng

The images are almost unbearably tender. And online, people are responding in kind with adoring posts, support, and fan art of little Punch-kun and his stuffed toy.

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While little Punch has tugged on the internet's heartstrings, according to the Ichikawa City Zoo's social media accounts, he's still gradually being accepted by the other monkeys.

"He's getting groomed, playfully poking at others, getting scolded, and having all sorts of experiences every day, steadily learning how to live as a monkey within the troop!" the zoo posted on Feb. 6. And his popularity in Japan is only growing, as hundreds of visitors flock to Ichikawa City for a glimpse of Punch and his stuffed orangutan (aka Oran Mama).

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If you can't get enough of Punch, you can follow the hashtag #がんばれパンチ, which roughly translates to "#HangInTherePunch," for more updates on the little guy.

But Punch's story is easy to understand without translation. In his tiny arms wrapped around a stuffed animal, people recognize something of their own — and the possibility that he, like them, will be OK.

SAVE $750: As of Feb. 17, a refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is on sale at Best Buy for just $499.99, normally $1,249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD), Geek Squad Certified Refurbished $499.99 at Best Buy
$1,249.99 Save $750   Get Deal

Rumor has it that Apple is launching a new low-cost MacBook this year — potentially as soon as March 4, when it's hosting a "special experience" in select cities. The new MacBook will reportedly run on an iPhone chipset, come in several fun colors, and retail for around $600 to $700, a price point usually reserved for nice Chromebooks. But if that's even pushing your budget, I found an Apple laptop on sale for even cheaper right now.

Best Buy has a preowned 13-inch M1 MacBook Air marked down to $499.99 as of mid-February. That's a whopping 60% off its suggested retail price of $1,249.99. It comes in a silver finish and features 512GB of storage, which is double the capacity of the base model. (Walmart usually sells that one for $649, though it's currently sold out there.)

As a "Geek Squad Certified Refurbished" unit, this MacBook is used but fixed up to work good as new. It's covered by a 90-day parts and labor warranty.

SEE ALSO: We've tested all the latest MacBooks. Here are the five to buy in 2026.

Until the new cheap MacBook (probably) launches, I'm still recommending the M1 Air as the best budget MacBook for most people. It's a late 2020 model that lacks the nice webcam, long battery life, and powerful performance of its successors, but its overall build quality is stellar, and it's plenty fast for basic tasks like web browsing. In our CPU benchmark that tests for multitasking prowess, it outperformed almost every other laptop we've tried in the $450 to $800 range.

If this M1 MacBook Air ticks the right boxes on your laptop specs wishlist, I wouldn't wait too long to add it to your cart. A refurbished 256GB base model that Best Buy was selling for only $410 (or $290 off) sold out there while I was writing this story.

I don't know about you, but my 3D printers cost a lot of money and I'm always paranoid that they'll break down and fail at the worst moment.

SAVE $30: As of Feb. 17, get the Anker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $119.99, down from its usual price of $149.99. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station $119.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal

If you're the type of person who always finds yourself dealing with half-charged phones and earbuds before you go out, you might just need a tech upgrade. Keep all your devices in one spot and make sure they're ready to go with a charger that lets you keep everything at the ready for you, built especially for iOS users.

As of Feb. 17, get the Anker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $119.99, down from its usual price of $149.99. That's a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: Grab the 14-in-1 Anker Prime docking station for under $250 at Amazon — save $60 right now

You can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and Apple AirPods all at once with this device using 25W ultra-fast MagSafe charging. That means you can just place your devices on each magnetic post and use the charger as a stand while it delivers all the power you need to be ready. It uses quiet active cooling to be sure it doesn't overheat while getting the job done.

Further, it's extremely compact and travel-ready. You can fold it up and take it with you, as it weighs about the same as an iPhone 17 Pro Max. That means you can slide it just about anywhere and be ready to go. That helps you eliminate extra tech you'd otherwise have to carry around, and you don't even have to tote around multiple cables. It's a win-win if you're using all three gadgets regularly.

If you need a charger and don't want to spend an arm and a leg, be sure to catch this deal and be one of the people who can proudly boast you're charged and ready every day.

Love it or hate it, AI has burst into our lives over the past few years. But could it also be humanity's undoing?

That's the question at the heart of The AI Doc: Or How I Became An Apocaloptimist. Directors Daniel Roher (Academy Award winner Navalny) and Charlie Tyrell interview AI enthusiasts and detractors alike about what's next for the technology. Roher approaches the film from the lens of a father-to-be: With the rise of AI, is now even a good time to be bringing a child into the world?

SEE ALSO: OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger joins OpenAI

Based on The AI Doc's trailer, it certainly doesn't seem like it.

"I know people who work on AI risk who don't expect their children to make it to high school," Center for Humane Technology co-founder Tristan Harris tells a shocked Roher in the trailer.

Elsewhere, Harris' colleague Aza Raskin compares the threat of AI to that of global nuclear war.

Harris and Raskin are both AI "doomers," but The AI Doc also features the voices of leading AI "accelerationists" like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO and co-founder Demis Hassabis, and Anthropic CEO and co-founder Dario Amodei.

"I want you to promise me that this is gonna go well," Roher tells Altman before they begin their interview.

"That is impossible," Altman responds. Reassuring!

The AI Doc's trailer isn't all doom and gloom, though. It also highlights AI's benefits, especially when it comes to research. Still, the message remains one of caution, even in the face of what can often feel like a runaway AI train. Fitting then, that Daniel Kwan, Everything Everywhere All At Once co-writer/co-director and co-founder of Creators Coalition on AI, is a producer on the doc, as he's actively engaged in how AI can be ethically incorporated into filmmaking.

The AI Doc: Or How I Became An Apocaloptimist screens at SXSW this year. It hits theaters March 27.

SAVE $91.99: The Sony XM6 headphones are on sale at Amazon in select colorways for $368, down from the standard price of $459.99. That's a 20% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 $368 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $91.99   Get Deal

Sony is having quite the February. The brand freshly launched the new XM6 earbuds just last week and they gave us a snazzy new pink colorway in the XM6 headphones. While the sound quality on both the earbuds and the headphones is exceptions, there's one major downfall: the price. There's no denying the top-tier Sony headphones and earbuds are spendy, but there's a lightning deal at Amazon that helps ease this pain. However, you'll need to act quickly to get this sale price.

As of Feb. 17, the Sony XM6 headphones are on sale at Amazon in select colorways for $368, marked down from the standard price of $459.99. That's a 20% discount that shaves $91.99 off the normal price. This is the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon for the XM6 headphones. You'll need to go with Platinum Silver or Black to get this sale price.

When it comes to the best noise-cancelling headphones that focus on sound quality, it doesn't get better than the Sony XM6 headphones. They'll also be great if you're shopping for the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying.

In Mashable's full review of the Sony XM6 headphones, Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth wrote, "The new Sony headphones offer impressive audio quality, and they definitely improve on the XM5 models. The active noise cancellation is particularly phenomenal. I really appreciated the overall balance, depth, and quality of the audio."

SEE ALSO: Get better sleep with the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds while they're down to a record-low price at Amazon

Sony also made the XM6 headphones more travel-friendly compared to the XM5's. The ear cups on the new model fold for better portability and the included case is slightly less bulky. Plus, it uses a magnetic closure instead of a zipper.

If you've been eyeing the top-tier Sony XM6 headphones but haven't been ready to dish out the near $450 price, today's sale brings them down to a more affordable $368. But keep in mind the timer is running out to get this best-ever price, so don't delay.

When Android tablets exploded in the early 2010s, they struggled to compete with the iPad. Manufacturers just didn’t know what would get someone to choose an Android tablet, so they tried a bunch of weird stuff. Let’s take a look back.

Valve is warning customers that the Steam Deck OLED may be "out-of-stock intermittently," citing ongoing memory and storage shortages on its Steam store page.

As of this writing, all three models of the popular handheld gaming console are out of stock at the Steam store.

A note posted alongside the handheld gaming PC lineup states that availability issues are tied to component constraints and that the 256GB LCD Steam Deck is no longer in production and will not return once remaining inventory is sold out. As of this writing, the only regions where customers appear able to place new orders are Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with other markets showing the devices as unavailable.

Note: Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages. Steam Deck LCD 256GB is no longer in production, and once sold out will no longer be available.

Credit: Mashable screengrab / Valve

The language on the Steam page points squarely to a broader industry problem. The global memory market has tightened significantly as AI demand consumes more DRAM and NAND, leaving supply constrained.

According to a recent industry update from Sourceability, memory suppliers have implemented price hikes of 20 to 30 percent on DRAM, with some vendors reporting even sharper increases as demand shifts toward AI-related products. Analysts expect supply constraints to deepen into 2026 as high-bandwidth memory for AI data centers takes priority.

Valve has already acknowledged the impact of the global memory shortage on its hardware roadmap. In a recent Steam Hardware FAQ update, the company said memory shortages had rapidly intensified, limiting pricing visibility and complicating launch timing for upcoming products like the Steam Machine and Steam VR headset. The same crunch has affected mobile, laptop, and gaming markets as the AI industry buys up critical components.

This weekend, Mashable reported that Western Digital had already sold out its storage capacity for the entirety of 2026, just seven weeks into the year. In addition, laptop makers have been warning about price increases related to the ongoing memory shortage.

For Steam customers, this means Steam Deck availability may continue to fluctuate. And with the LCD 256GB model officially discontinued, intermittent stock could become less of a temporary hiccup. Mashable reached out to Valve for comment but the company did not respond in time for publication.

TL;DR: Live stream Galatasaray vs. Juventus in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League group stage has concluded, but we're not yet into the knockout rounds for real. First we've got the double-legged playoff round, with some fascinating matchups to enjoy. Galatasaray take on Juventus in one of the picks of the round.

Juventus finished the group stage three points ahead of Galatasaray, but that doesn't count for anything at this stage. This is a really difficult game to predict. Juventus are probably slight favorites to advance, but Galatasaray will be looking to gain an advantage at Rams Park. Expect big performances from the likes of Mauro Icardi, a player who knows all about scoring goals against Italian opposition.

If you want to watch Galatasaray vs. Juventus in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Galatasaray vs. Juventus?

Galatasaray vs. Juventus in the Champions League kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 17. This fixture takes place at Rams Park.

How to watch Galatasaray vs. Juventus for free

Galatasaray vs. Juventus is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Galatasaray vs. Juventus for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly 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 Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Galatasaray vs. Juventus for free from anywhere in the world

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 streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Galatasaray vs. Juventus (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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).

Live stream Galatasaray vs. Juventus in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

If robots ever rise up and take over the world, we might look at laundry-folding assistants as the Trojan Horse that started it all.

The newest example is Isaac 0, a new home assistant robot courtesy of Weave Robotics. Isaac 0 is shipping out first to early adopters in the Bay Area this month for the low, low price of $7,999 up front, or $450 per month, according to Interesting Engineering. For that price, you get a robot that folds laundry. That's it. Isaac 0 doesn't do a single other thing. That puts it in contrast with other household assistant robots like LG's CLOiD model, which folds laundry but also does other chores around the house on top of that.

On X, Weave Robotics founder Evan Wineland said Weave is focused on shipping robots for early adopters, not merely designing prototypes or concept products. The company's goal is to "build useful robots that give people their time back, and ship them as soon as possible."

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According to the Weave Robotics website, Isaac can be plugged into any wall outlet:

Isaac 0 is a stationary laundry folding robot, and it's already in our first customers' home less than a year and a half after Weave's founding.

Isaac 0 can be installed in an afternoon and gets the job done from day one: plop it anywhere with a desk in your home, plug it into a regular wall outlet. Drop a load of laundry and walk away: Isaac 0 works for 30-90 minutes, and you’ll return to find clean stacks of clothes waiting for you.

Isaac 0 tackling a load of laundry. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of YouTube / Weave Robotics Screenshot of weave robotics app. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of YouTube / Weave Robotics SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness (after testing 30+ models at home)

Weave's premise here is to get something into people's homes while it works on a more advanced bot, dubbed Isaac, which will presumably be able to do more than just fold laundry. Isaac 0, meanwhile, is a stationary robot platform that can fold most types of clothing, though Interesting Engineering noted that it cannot currently handle bedding or clothes that have been turned inside out.

Interestingly, Isaac 0 might also occasionally be taken over remotely by a human for a few seconds if it encounters difficulty with its task. So, not only can it not completely handle your laundry needs, but it may not even do what it's supposed to do totally autonomously. However, Weave does say that Isaac 0 is a "learning robot" that will get better with time.

If you're in the Bay Area and have both a love of robotics and money to burn, Isaac 0 is there for you. If not, well, folding laundry isn't that hard.

It might be hard to imagine, but there was a time when every TV didn't have the ability to install streaming apps, meaning that unless you were willing to give up your existing TV, there was a need for a streaming attachment. This was still an open market, so no one knew exactly what to expect.