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TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for only $12.97 (reg. $199) while this deal lasts.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $12.97
$199 Save $186.03   Get Deal

Ready for a faster, more seamless computing experience? Microsoft’s latest operating system delivers exactly that — and Windows 11 Pro is available for just $12.97 (reg. $199) for a limited time. That’s a lifetime license for less than the price of a movie ticket.

Windows 11 Pro comes loaded with a sleek, streamlined interface, improved multitasking tools like Snap Layouts, and enhanced security features, including TPM 2.0, BitLocker, and Smart App Control. It’s built for professionals, creatives, and everyday users alike. Gamers will also appreciate support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, delivering ultra-realistic graphics.

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But the real game-changer is Copilot. This built-in AI assistant helps you work faster by summarizing web pages, generating text or images, opening apps, adjusting settings, or even suggesting code — all without leaving your workflow.

What you’ll get out of this deal:

• Lifetime license for just $12.97

• Windows 10 is being phased out

• Built-in AI assistant Copilot for smarter daily productivity

• Advanced security and pro-level tools

• Seamless design optimized for multitasking and collaboration

• Supports Microsoft Teams, Widgets, and touch-enabled devices

Don’t wait too long to get a lifetime Windows 11 Pro license for $12.97 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

While some porn performers are out there making six figures a year — or month — many don't. In 2024, it was revealed that the average OnlyFans creator pocketed just $1,300 a year. But that sum was a calculation based on OnlyFans' numbers. What do actual 18+ creators say they earn?

The average creator earns about $58,700 a year from adult work, or about $5,000 per month, according to a survey from adult industry research firm SWR Data.

SEE ALSO: How I make six figures on OnlyFans without taking my clothes off

SWR Data conducted the State of the Creator survey in fall 2025, which included over 550 adult creators. It found that just 35 percent of creators said they were entirely dependent on their adult work for their survival, while 51 percent said they earn income outside the adult industry.

Newer creators earn around $16,000 annually on average, while that number shoots up to $74,000 for those who've been in the industry for five years or more. And for creators who've both been in the industry for 5+ years and only work in adult, the average income is more than $111,000, according to SWR Data.

"While many factors influence who earns how much...one factor correlates with higher incomes more than anything else: the amount of time spent in the industry," SWR Data wrote in a Substack post.

More research is to be done about the earnings of adult stars — but SWR Data's Substack stressed that the top one percent certainly doesn't speak for everyone.

The infamous dating platform Ashley Madison just announced a massive global rebrand, and the sheer audacity of its new PR spin is worth talking about.

Ashley Madison is officially dropping the “affairs” label and repositioning itself as a privacy-first destination for "discreet dating.” But if you’ve kept up with the company’s track record, you have a right to feel a little skeptical.

SEE ALSO: OnlyFans 'baits and switches' customers with false promises, lawsuit claims Ashley Madison has a history involving a major data breach and fake profiles.

In 2015, a catastrophic data breach exposed the information of millions of users and outed high-profile members, including Josh Duggar from 19 Kids and Counting (yikes). The incident was also linked to at least two suicides at the time.

To help smooth things over, its parent company, Avid Life Media, changed its name to ruby Corp. in 2016, and the site decided to (temporarily) drop its tagline: "Life is Short. Have an Affair." And just a week before its new TV commercials hit the market, the company was hit with a probe and lawsuits by the Federal Trade Commission over fake profiles posing as real women. (Ashley Madison settled months later.)

The new rebrand pivots away from infidelity and leans into 'ethical discretion.'

Fast forward to today. Ashley Madison has yet another new tagline: "Where Desire Meets Discretion."

According to the brand's PR team, the site is now focusing on "ethical discretion" for singles, separated individuals, and the ethical non-monogamous community. Paul Keable, the Chief Strategy Officer, tells us that this shift was influenced by last year's sign-ups: Apparently, 57 percent of new members identified as single.

“Our pivot to discretion is recognizing and enabling daters to take control of their profiles and helping to create better connections,” Keable told Mashable in an email. “We will now market Ashley Madison as a dating platform for ethical discretion; whether they are single, separated, divorced, or non-monogamous.”

Dr. Tammy Nelson, a sex and relationship therapist partnering with the brand, agrees that dating app fatigue and oversharing have driven users toward platforms that prioritize anonymity and data protection. “Discretion and privacy have become the goal of dating,” says Dr. Nelson. “In a recent Ashley Madison member survey, 61 percent of respondents said the reason they chose Ashley Madison in the pursuit of connections was that they wanted a high level of discretion.”

The platform uses impressive, albeit shady, tech to keep users hidden.

To their credit, Ashley Madison’s feature list is pretty impressive if you’re trying to stay off the grid (but, again, it was originally built to help you cheat):

• Selective identity: Users are encouraged to use a pseudonym, and you can blur or mask your photos. The site asks you to sign up with a nickname rather than your legal name. There’s also no social media linking allowed. According to Keable, the app strictly prohibits social media handles or phone numbers in profiles to prevent cross-platform identification.

• Private keys: Members can create a hidden photo album and grant (or revoke) access via a "Private Key" at any time.

• Stealth Mode (iOS only): Apple users can customize the app’s icon and notification appearance on their phones (shady, if you ask me).

• Screenshot blockers: The platform has built-in screenshot blockers, so other members can’t take screenshots of anything in the app. If they attempt to do so, they’ll just get a black screen capture. Although it doesn’t send an alarm or anything to the person whose image was captured, Keable says that users who are reported for sharing screenshots externally could face a permanent ban.

“The most significant differentiator is our community itself,” says Keable. “Mainstream apps are built on ‘social discovery,’ using your contacts and ‘friends of friends’ to help you find people you know,” he adds. “Ashley Madison operates on the opposite principle.”

Ironically, the actual cheaters on Reddit aren't happy.

Users over on the r/adultery subreddit have already noticed the shift in real-time. The platform has quietly dropped explicit labels like "Attached seeking Attached" and replaced them with standard "Men seeking women" and a generalized "non-monogamy" tag.

Ashley Madison is trying really, really hard to convince us that the site’s fundamental purpose has evolved beyond facilitating infidelity. I was fully prepared to call BS on this entire pivot, but ironically enough, the actual cheaters aren't thrilled about the rebrand. Over on Reddit, users are actively complaining that the influx of single people is ruining the site's original purpose, making it harder to find other married people looking to stray. One user wrote, "This has really ruined the site for me. I'm only interested in connecting with women who are having an affair... I wish I could get a refund on my credits."

So, you can call it "ethical discretion," or you can call it a PR stunt. But if the adulterers are fleeing because the site is too full of single people looking for privacy? Well, maybe the rebrand is actually working.

A new generation of Samsung Galaxy is here. The Samsung Galaxy S26 made its debut during Samsung Unpacked on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and preorders start today ahead of its March 11 release.

While there are very few differences between the new S26 Samsung Galaxy phones and previous generations, there are some noteworthy changes.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Comparing price, specs, and features

Now, Samsung has combined its AI photo and video studio into the Creative Studio. What's creating the bigger buzz is the inclusion of a new Privacy Display. The new feature means that you can only view the screen head-on, meaning passersby can't catch a glimpse of your texts or any other very important business you're up to.

Physically, the Samsung Galaxy S26 will look similar to the S25 line-up, but it will have a more prominent camera bump. For those upgrading, this means one certainty — you'll need a new phone case.

Luckily, new cases are already available for the Samsung Galaxy S26. They're available to shop now, so by the time your new Samsung Galaxy S26 arrives, your case will be there too.

Samsung

Of course, Samsung is one of the first to outfit its new phones. Along with the Samsung Galaxy S26 preorder drop is a collection of new phone cases. Samsung launched a clear magnetic case, an ultra slim case, a silicone magnetic case, and a rugged case, all available to fit S26 phones, including the S26+ and S26 Ultra. According to Samsung's website, these cases will ship before the phones and arrive by March 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases   Shop Now ESR

ESR has already launched its Samsung Galaxy S26 cases, with a new clear case. There's a model available for every size of the S26, including the S26+ and S26 Ultra. The thin, clear case features military-grade drop protection and magnetic charging compatibility. Around the camera is a built-in phone stand so you can watch horizontal video anywhere.

Opens in a new window Credit: ESR ESR Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $35.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Burga

A case is more than just crucial protections; it's also a way to show personality. Burga makes cases with chic and trendy prints, including polka dots, stripes, ombre, and motivational messages. Before Samsung Unpacked even launched, Burga had Samsung Galaxy S26 cases available, which you can start shopping for now. Plus, they're running a deal, and when you buy four cases, you only pay for two.

Opens in a new window Credit: Burga Burga Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases Buy four phone cases at Burga and pay for just two. Get Deal Careborne

An extremely thin phone case doesn't mean a flimsy phone case. CaseBorne's Thinborne cases are made from Aerospace-grade aramid fiber, which is extremely thin and durable. It's meant to show off your phone rather than distract it with a flashy design. Caseborne's Galaxy S26 case is already live and will arrive by Monday, March 2, a full nine days before the S26 is released.

Opens in a new window Credit: CaseBorne CaseBorn Thinborn Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $69.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Spidercase

For a slim but extremely functional case, look to the Spidercase, which comes in transparent designs so you can actually see your phone. It's a thin case that's shockproof without being bulky. Plus, it comes with a built-in stand and MagSafe compatibility. The Spidercase is available to shop on Amazon and will ship out on Monday, March 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Spidercase Spidercase Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $17.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Snakehive

Looking for a leather case? Snakehive is joining the crowd of new Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases. The brand's leather case has a slim profile and comes in four different shades: rich tan, jet black, hunter green, and oxford blue. Despite the leather material, it's still MagSafe-friendly for all your wireless charging needs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Snakehive Snakehive Samsung Galaxy S26 Phone Case $39.99
  Shop Now Pitaka

Pitaka joins the crowd of aramid fiber phone cases. The woven design makes it extremely durable without being too thick. Pitaka's case for the Samsung Galaxy S26 is already live, available in two colors: black and moonrise. It has a raised camera edge to protect the lens and is MagSafe-friendly.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pitaka Pitaka Moonrise Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Exoticase

A protective but minimalist phone case for the new Samsung Galaxy S26 phone comes from Exoticase. The design of the case is simple with a matte, transparent backing paired with an accent color like soothing green or flashy red. The case has protection in mind with raised edges around the camera and screen edges to protect against drops and falls.

Opens in a new window Credit: Exoticase Exoticase Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $24.95 at Exoticase
  Get Deal

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked was full of announcements about the company's new line of Galaxy S26 smartphones. And, of course, Samsung had plenty to highlight in terms of its Galaxy AI features too.

One of the major new AI-related features this year from Samsung involves the Galaxy S26's photo app. All photo tools, including AI editing, will all live in a new Creative Studio so users can capture, edit, enhance, and generate multimedia content without the need to use multiple applications.

The ability to snap a real photo and then add a realistic, yet fake, AI-generated aspect to that picture could cause some problems. So, as Samsung announced at Galaxy Unpacked, photos with AI elements will be tagged as such within the app.

The AI label from Samsung appears in the bottom corner of the photo and designates the image as "AI-generated content."

This will be good news to many, as AI imagery and deepfakes have been used by bad actors to spread misinformation and harass individuals.

However, it's currently unclear if there's anything more than the visible watermark on the photo. If it's just that visible label, it appears that users can still easily crop the photo ever so slightly to remove the watermark. In fact, there are tutorials online that show users how they can utilize Galaxy AI itself to remove the AI watermark in previous iterations of Samsung's AI tools for Galaxy phones.

Other AI tools like OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo 3 also display watermarks that indicate content is AI-generated. However, as those are video tools, they are able to make the watermark more difficult to remove. Ideally, AI-generated images and videos contain an invisible digital watermark, like Google's SynthID.

Samsung is using Google's AI model Gemini and its powerful Nano Banana AI-image generation model for Galaxy AI's generative content. However, it's not clear if AI photos made with Samsung will also contain a SynthID for AI detection.

Still, auto-tagging is one step practical step to limit the potential harm of deepfakes.

Samsung showed off its new Privacy Display feature during its marquee Unpacked event on Wednesday, where it announced its new lineup of Galaxy S26 phones.

Mashable's Amanda Yeo covered the Privacy Display news as it dropped, calling it "the coolest innovation by far" at the tech giant's big event. The general idea is that the Galaxy S26 Ultra can change screen visibility to ensure your privacy. The actual pixels within the display shift to keep nosy eyes off your screen.

But there's more to Privacy Display than just some shifting pixels. Here are four things it can do.

Hide specific apps

Say — smartly, I'd add — that you don't want folks snooping around as you use a mobile banking app. You can choose to set that app, or any other app, to always use Privacy Display, so you can check your account in public, in peace.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Hide unexpected notifications

You might not want randos to see your notifications. And hey, that's none of their business! You can toggle Privacy Display so that notifications are obscured as the pop-ups appear on screen. Samsung's presentation noted this could be especially useful when, say, ferrying a friend to their surprise birthday party.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Activate with just one button

Say you suddenly want some privacy. Maybe you're sending gossipy texts, and the subject of the gossip enters the room. Hey, that's your prerogative. Obviously, it's a little sketchy and a bit of a hassle to navigate settings to turn on Privacy Display. Thankfully, you can simply toggle on the feature by pressing the power button twice.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Go Maximum mode

Sometimes you want to be really private. For those moments, Samsung created Maximum mode in Privacy Display. In short, it hides everything but the head-on view. Wrote Mashable's Yeo about her hands-on test: "The display really impressed when the stronger Maximum privacy protection mode was turned on, which immediately made the S26 Ultra's screen appear almost as if the phone had been shut down."

There's plenty for privacy lovers to test out with Privacy Display — and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is available for pre-order for those interested.

Samsung just wrapped Galaxy Unpacked 2026, and if there was one word the company wanted you to remember, it was "agentic."

With the unveiling of the new S26 line of phones, Samsung wants to make clear that its smartphones will do the work for you. There were several neat breakout features for the S26 lineup that stood out during the AI-focused showcase.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases: Where to get fun ones right now

Between agentic AI integrations, gamer-grade performance, and a genuinely novel Privacy Display, Samsung clearly wants the Galaxy S26 Ultra in particular to feel like more than just an iterative upgrade.

So, from the Galaxy S26 lineup to new Galaxy Buds4 earbuds, here’s everything Samsung unveiled at its Feb. 25 event.

Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra: Samsung’s 'most intuitive' AI phone yet Credit: Mashable / Joseph Maldonado

At the center of Unpacked was the new Galaxy S26 series — the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra — which Samsung calls its "most intuitive, proactive, and adaptive Galaxy AI" experience yet.

All three phones run Android 16 with One UI 8.5 and are powered (in North America, China, and Japan) by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip. On the Ultra, Samsung says users can expect up to a 19% CPU boost, 39% NPU boost, and 24% GPU improvement compared to the previous generation — performance gains clearly designed to keep up with always-on AI.

Preorders open Feb. 25, with general availability starting March 11. Pricing starts at:

• $899.99 for Galaxy S26

• $1,099.99 for Galaxy S26+

• $1,299.99 for Galaxy S26 Ultra

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 preorder: How to get the S26, S26 Ultra, S26+ Agentic AI takes center stage

Samsung’s pitch this year is an AI phone that takes action for you.

The Galaxy S26 series integrates multiple AI agents, including Bixby, Google Gemini, and Perplexity. Once configured, tasks can be completed with a button press or voice prompt, and multi-step actions can run in the background. Samsung demostrated several "practical" uses of agentic AI on the S26 like having it order a pizza for you on GrubHub or Galaxy AI surfacing trip photos automatically when a friend asks for them (via the Now Nudge feature). Samsung also expanded Circle to Search with multi-object recognition, allowing users to identify multiple items in an image at once

Samsung frames these agentic AI features as a way to stop unnecessary app-hopping so users can focus on what's more important (usually something like spending more time with the family instead of fussing around with the delivery app).

Galaxy S26 Ultra debuts first-of-its-kind Privacy Display

While AI dominated the keynote, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may be remembered for something else entirely: privacy.

Samsung says the S26 Ultra introduces the mobile industry’s first built-in Privacy Display: a hardware-level feature that narrows viewing angles to make it harder for bystanders to see your screen. In Mashable’s hands-on, Amanda Yeo described it as "the coolest innovation by far," noting how activating Privacy Display significantly darkens the screen from side angles.

A "Maximum privacy protection" mode makes the display appear almost off to anyone not looking straight at it. Unlike traditional privacy screen protectors, Samsung’s solution is integrated into the panel itself. When off, full viewing quality is restored; when on, users can customize privacy levels and even limit protection to specific apps or PIN entry screens.

Samsung describes it as privacy "at the pixel level," and in a year obsessed with AI data security, that framing feels deliberate.

Galaxy S26 Ultra: Built for performance (and gamers)

Samsung is also positioning the Ultra as a performance powerhouse.

The S26 Ultra features:

• A 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to 2600 nits peak brightness

• A redesigned vapor chamber for improved thermal management during gaming and multitasking

• A 5,000mAh battery

It also supports Super Fast Charging 3.0, reaching up to 75% charge in around 30 minutes. On the camera front, the Ultra sports:

• 200MP wide camera

• 50MP ultra-wide

• 10MP 3x telephoto

• 50MP 5x telephoto

• 100x digital zoom

• 8K video at 30fps

Samsung also introduced APV, a new professional-grade video codec for high-quality workflows.

Galaxy S26 and S26+: Slimmer, lighter, still AI-first

The standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ share much of the Ultra’s AI foundation, but with more compact builds. Both support 120Hz adaptive refresh rates and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. The camera systems are led by a 50MP wide lens, with 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom

• Galaxy S26: 6.3-inch FHD+ display, 4,300mAh battery

• Galaxy S26+: 6.7-inch QHD+ display, 4,900mAh battery

Galaxy AI tools: Editing, scanning, and call screening

Samsung expanded its AI editing toolkit across the lineup.

The upgraded Photo Assist suite allows users to describe edits in natural language — including changing time of day, restoring missing elements, or even altering outfits in photos. Creative Studio consolidates generation and customization tools into one workspace for stickers, wallpapers, and invitations.

Document Scan automatically removes distortions (such as creases or fingerprints) and can bundle multiple images into a single PDF. On the security front, there's AI-powered Call Screening that summarizes unknown callers’ intent along with Privacy Alerts that notify users if apps with device admin privileges attempt sensitive access.

Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro: Hi-fi sound meets AI Credit: Mashable / Joseph Maldonado

The new Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro launch alongside the S26 series, with general availability starting March 11. The Buds4 series supports hands-free activation of AI agents, including Bixby, Gemini, and Perplexity, reinforcing Samsung’s "agentic" ecosystem story.

Buds4 Pro highlights:

• Wider woofer with ~19.8% larger effective speaker area

• 24-bit/96kHz hi-fi audio support

• Enhanced ANC and Adaptive EQ

• Head Gesture controls for calls and Bixby interaction

SEE ALSO: How to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro wireless earbuds

Design-wise, Samsung introduced a new “blade” aesthetic, developed using ear-shape simulation data.

Get a free $20 gift card: As of Feb. 25, My Best Buy Plus or Total members who preorder the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 or Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro earbuds can receive a $20 or $30 Best Buy gift card free with their purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro My Best Buy Plus and Total members get a $20 or $30 Best Buy gift card with purchase Get Deal

The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 line is finally here, following their announcement at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

While the Buds4 and Buds4 Pro earbuds won't be available in select markets until March 11, interested buyers can place their preorders at Amazon, Samsung.com, and Best Buy starting Feb. 25. If you're a My Best Buy Plus or Total member, grabbing your buds from the lattermost retailer is probably the move — preorders of the Buds4 come with a free $20 Best Buy gift card, while Buds4 Pro preorders come with a $30 Best Buy gift card.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hands-on: Privacy Display is the coolest innovation by far

My Best Buy Plus memberships usually run $49.99 per year, while Total memberships cost $179.99 annually. With that in mind, non-members may not find it worthwhile to spring for a membership for a gift card less than half of the cost of said membership.

However, Best Buy is currently running a limited-time sale price on its Plus memberships, slashing the price in half to $24.99. While still more than the $20 gift card for the Buds4 earbuds, it does net you a free $5 on the Buds4 Pro earbuds. Membership also grants you access to free two-day shipping, other exclusive offers on items, early access to sales, and an extended 60-day return window on most of Best Buy's catalog.

Plus, this deal beats Amazon's gift card bundle for the Buds4 line, which bumps the price on both earbuds for the exact value of the bundled Amazon gift card (meaning you could purchase both separately, and still pay the same amount).