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Snapchat is introducing a new way for creators to earn revenue directly from their audiences.

Beginning Feb. 23, Snap will launch creator subscriptions in alpha testing with select U.S.-based creators, including Jeremiah Brown, Harry Jowsey, and Skai Jackson. The feature allows fans to pay a monthly fee for exclusive access to content and perks within the app.

SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators shaping the internet in 2025

Creators can set their own subscription prices, with Snap suggesting tier options. Subscribers will unlock exclusive posts, receive priority replies to public Stories, and get ad-free viewing of that creator's Stories — adding both monetization and deeper fan engagement opportunities for creators.

A preview of the new Snap Creator Subscriptions feature coming Feb. 23 to select creators. Credit: Snap

Snap positioned the feature as an expansion of its existing creator revenue tools, including the Unified Monetization Program and Snap Star Collab Studio. Unlike revenue-sharing programs tied to ads, subscriptions give creators more predictable, recurring income and greater ownership over their audience relationships.

The rollout comes as Snap continues to highlight creator growth. The company reported 474 million daily active users and 946 million global monthly active users in Q4 2025, and said the number of U.S. users posting to Spotlight rose 47 percent year over year, signaling increased creator activity on the platform. Even King Kylie herself (aka Kylie Jenner) made a splash by returning to the platform late last year.

The subscription program will expand to Snap Stars in Canada, the UK, and France in the coming weeks.

The move puts Snapchat in more direct competition with Meta's subscription offerings across Instagram and Facebook, as platforms increasingly compete to attract and retain top creators with diversified monetization tools.

Grok, Elon Musk's AI chatbot, has been under investigation in France, California, the UK, India, and Brazil for allegedly creating non-consensual intimate images, including images that depict minors. Now, it's facing yet another investigation, this time in Ireland.

On Tuesday, Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) announced that it had opened an investigation into Musk's X, which hosts Grok, over "potentially harmful, non-consensual intimate and/or sexualised images, containing or otherwise involving the processing of personal data of EU/EEA data subjects, including children, using generative artificial intelligence functionality associated with the Grok large language model within the X platform."

X is already the subject of an EU investigation from French authorities over the actions of Grok during a nearly two-week period that began late last year and went into 2026. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, announced its own investigation into Grok last month, with potential fines of up to 10 percent of X's revenue. 

In the midst of these investigations, Grok is also facing potential bans in Malaysia and Indonesia.

When xAI launched Grok Imagine, a new AI image and video generation tool, last August, Mashable's reporting revealed that it lacked basic safety guardrails to prevent sexual deepfakes and non-consensual intimate imagery.

In late December, a harsh spotlight was put on Grok when a critical mass of X users noticed that the chatbot was generating sexualized images of individuals based on requests from other X users. While these nonconsensual images often depicted celebrities or private adults, some users reported finding AI-generated images that depicted minors as well.

A study from the nonprofit watch group Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) found that over an 11-day period, Grok had generated an estimated 3 million sexualized images, including 23,000 images of children.

Musk originally defended Grok and claimed governments like the UK were just seeking to censor free speech. Eventually, X paywalled some of Grok's image-generating capabilities behind its X Premium subscription. Shortly after, X changed its policies and outright banned the generation of sexualized imagery featuring real-life individuals.

While it does appear that X has now resolved this specific issue involving Grok, the length of time it took for Musk's company to take action, and the sheer number of images that the chatbot created, will likely be at the forefront of the ongoing investigations.

“The DPC has been engaging with XIUC [X Internet Unlimited Company] since media reports first emerged a number of weeks ago concerning the alleged ability of X users to prompt the @Grok account on X to generate sexualised images of real people, including children," said DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle in a statement. "As the Lead Supervisory Authority for XIUC across the EU/EEA, the DPC has commenced a large-scale inquiry which will examine XIUC’s compliance with some of their fundamental obligations under the GDPR in relation to the matters at hand.”

If you have had intimate images shared without your consent, call the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative’s 24/7 hotline at 844-878-2274 for free, confidential support. The CCRI website also includes helpful information as well as a list of international resources.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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 XM-6 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 XM-6 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 XM-6 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.

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.

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.

Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model has sparked a lot of conversation online, both about the reality show's scandals and what's happened to former runway panel judge Miss J. Alexander since the show ended.

America's Next Top Model fans remember Miss J. for her fierce runway walk and quick wit. Now, in Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, the runway coach, who trained 18 cycles worth of aspiring models on how to strut their stuff, reveals he is unable to walk, following a stroke on Dec. 27, 2022.

SEE ALSO: 'Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model' is rage bait. We watched it so you don't have to.

In the third episode of Netflix's documentary mini-series, titled "Rooting for You," Alexander shared the reality of his situation. Following the stroke, he was in a coma for five weeks. "I couldn't walk, and I couldn't speak," Alexander said in a talking head interview for Reality Check. He then shared that fellow America's Next Top Model judges Nigel Barker and Jay Manuel came to visit in the hospital. The show features a clip with the trio reuniting on the set for the doc.

Asked if America's Next Top Model host Tyra Banks has visited, Alexander's response was, "No. Not yet."

You can see this segment of Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model below, courtesy of Netflix's X feed.

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On X, viewers shared their thoughts, expressing appreciation for Alexander, ire over his treatment from Banks, and frustration about Miss J's part in America's Next Top Model's treatment of its contestants.

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Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is now streaming on Netflix.

Featured Video For You The 5 best films we saw at Sundance 2026

SAVE $15: As of Feb. 17, you can get a $100 DoorDash gift card at Best Buy for only $85. That's 15% in savings. Other gift card amounts are also available with the same savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: DoorDash $100 DoorDash gift card $85
$100 Save $15   Get Deal

When you first sign up for DoorDash (and most other food delivery apps for that matter), you're showered with first-timer deals. Once you're a seasoned subscriber, those deals tend to disappear. Fortunately, there's a little hack you can take advantage of to guarantee savings for yourself: grab a gift card while it's on sale.

As of Feb. 17, you can pick up a $100 DoorDash gift card for only $85. That automatically saves you $15 or 15% on your next order. Other gift card values of $50 and $200 are discounted as well, saving you up to $30 total.

All three options are available as digital gift cards, which are actually quicker and easier than physical gift cards if you're planning on using it yourself. You'll just have to enter an email address for Best Buy to send your discounted digital DoorDash gift card to at checkout. Of course, if you want to share the savings, you can easily transfer it to someone else just as you would a physical card.

It may not be the most direct way to score savings on your next food delivery, but it does guarantee you'll save 15% on your next DoorDash order. And that'll at least cover some of those taxes, fees, and tips.

SAVE $50: The Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $179.99, down from the list price of $229.99. That's a 22% discount that matches the record-low price at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore by Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds $179.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $50   Get Deal

Sleep is one of the most important pillars in life. While plenty of variables make life enjoyable, we have some basics needs like food, hydration, and sleep that are required. Unfortunately, sleep can be hard to come by. Between stress, anxiety, and a snoring partner, getting restful slumber can feel pretty close to impossible. If you struggle with noise while trying to sleep, check out this sleep earbuds deal that could be a solution.

As of Feb. 17, the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $179.99, marked down from the standard price of $229.99. That's a 22% discount that matches the record-low price at Amazon. In total, you'll be getting a sweet $50 savings.

Soundcore designed the Sleep A30 earbuds to help with masking disruptive noise while you're trying to get some shut eye. They do this through a three-stage masking system that Soundcore says includes tracking snoring via the included earbuds case, playing adaptive audio to mask noise, and comfortable foam tips on the earbuds themselves. The foam tips are meant to be comfortable enough that even side sleepers can wear the earbuds all night.

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

In Mashable's testing of the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds, Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard found the ANC to work great and the library of white noise and snore masking options were plentiful. Allard wrote, "I do have a moderately loud mini-split air conditioner, a partner who moves frequently in their sleep, and street noise from cars. The ANC noticeably diminishes all three — a few times during testing, my partner said something to me without realizing I put my earbuds in, and I couldn't hear him at all."

You'll be able to get about nine hours of battery life per charge on the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds which extends to 45 hours with the included case. Soundcore went to great lengths to make sure we can all find a comfortable fit with the earbuds so each pair comes with four sizes of silicone ear tips, three sizes of memory foam tips, and three sizes of ear wings.

If you're worried about sleeping through your alarm, no worries, because the Sleep A30 earbuds have an on-board alarm and it even has a snooze feature.

If you deal with a snoring partner or loud pets at night, gift yourself the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds. With any luck, the ability to get deep, restorative sleep will arrive on your doorstep this week.

SAVE $150: As of Feb. 17, the Dell 15 DC15250 Laptop (Intel Core i5-1334U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is on sale at Amazon for $449.99. That's 25% off and its lowest price so far in 2026.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell 15 Laptop DC15250 (Intel Core i5-1334U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $449.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $150   Get Deal

Buying a new laptop is generally a major splurge, but you don't actually need to spend that much to get a competent setup for your daily computing needs. Sure, you won't get a fancy gaming machine or video editing powerhouse for cheap, but most people don't need spruced-up specs; they just need a daily driver that can hold its own. That's where the Dell 15 Laptop comes in.

As of Feb. 17, the Dell 15 DC15250 Laptop with an Intel Core i5-1334U processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is on sale at Amazon for only $449.99. That's 25% or $150 off its usual list price and the cheapest we've seen it so far in 2026 (its second-best price ever).

The Dell 15 DC15250 is a budget model that can handle basic tasks like a champ. Its 13th generation Intel i5 processor offers a balance between battery life and speed, allowing you to work efficiently all day long. An Express Charge feature even allows you to get an 80 percent charge within an hour when you need to work bonus hours. With 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, plus a large 15.6-inch 1080p display, you'll get more than just base model specs.

If daily productivity is what you need, don't splurge on a top-of-the-line specced out PC or MacBook Pro. A simple laptop like the Dell 15 will suit you just fine and will be a whole lot easier on your wallet.

SAVE $200: Walmart has the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm) on sale for just $229. That's 47% off its usual retail price of $429.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm) $229 at Walmart
$429 Save $200   Get Deal

As Apple gears up to host a "special experience" on March 4, deals on older Apple devices are popping up at third-party retailers with increased frequency. (This always happens around its launch events.) I'd argue that Walmart has the one to beat. As of mid-February, the 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale there for only $229, or $200 off.

This deal is especially juicy for a couple of reasons. For one, it makes the Series 10 even cheaper than Apple's budget smartwatch, the $249 Apple Watch SE. And two, this exact same Series 10 was $50 more expensive last Black Friday. Walmart doesn't provide price history data for its products, but I'd venture to guess that this is its lowest price to date.

SEE ALSO: All the new products Apple could release in March: iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBooks

This offer comes on the heels of the big box store's Presidents Day sale, which featured a $200 discount on a 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 with cellular connectivity. It sold out a day after I first spotted it, so I wouldn't dawdle on this one, either. At the time of writing, only one variant with a silver aluminum case and a denim Sport Band was still in stock.

At this price, the Apple Watch Series 10 is an especially compelling alternative to the newer Series 11, which has the same MSRP. The only upgrades you miss out on are a more scratch-resistant display and a slightly longer battery life. Otherwise, the two models' chips, sensors, and watchOS features are identical. For comparison's sake, the 46mm Series 11 is currently $329 at Walmart, or $100 pricier — a match of its previous all-time low on Amazon, where it's $399 right now.

Read our "Apple Watch Series 10 versus Series 11" breakdown to learn more.

SAVE $150: As of Feb. 17, get the Dyson Solarcycle Morph for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $649.99. That's a discount of 23%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dyson Solarcycle Morph $499.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $150   Get Deal

If you take your home's smart lighting seriously, chances are you've got your home situation handled. But if you're looking for an easy way to light up any area of your home with a device that does it all, you might want to check into what Dyson has in store. Even better, it's on sale right now to save you some significant cash.

As of Feb. 17, get the Dyson Solarcycle Morph for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $649.99. That's $150 off and a discount of 23%.

SEE ALSO: I tried Dyson's new PencilVac, a stick vacuum with half the weight, double the lasers. No, I will not 'chill.'

This intelligent lamp can adapt and change as far as what you need it for at home. It can track local daylight to adjust brightness and color temperature automatically, meaning you can set it up and let it handle the rest. This works anywhere in your home, so you get automatic color changes and appropriate light no matter where you go.

The lamp can help you improve visibility and reduce eyestrain as well as offer better glare reduction and less flicker. If what Dyson has in store doesn't work for you, you can customize your light to your liking with the MyDyson app instead. It's all about doing the hard work for you, however, before you realize you even need it.

This is a lamp that's really for anyone who takes lighting seriously. If you're ready to upgrade with a light that can handle itself all on its own, be ready to pick this one up as it can illuminate any area with the best of them. And getting it for a discount only sweetens the deal.

SAVE $50: The DJI Neo drone is on sale at Amazon for $149, down from the list price of $199. That's a 25% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo drone $149 at Amazon
$199 Save $50   Get Deal

Amazon's Presidents' Day sale might officially be over, but in true Amazon style, some deals are still sticking around. If you're thinking about grabbing a new drone before spring adventures take over the schedule, check out this Amazon deal.

As of Feb. 17, the DJI Neo drone is on sale at Amazon for $149, marked down from the list price of $199. That's a 25% discount that takes $50 off the price. It's also the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

With a sale price of $149, the DJI Neo is the perfect model for both beginners or those looking for something compact. This model doesn't come with a remote control, instead, you'll use your phone which means there's one less item to keep track of when flying. Plus, the creator-centric brand added in tons of user-friendly features like palm takeoffs.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 1000 V2 is on sale for $270 off at Amazon

The DJI Neo mini drone films in 4K UHD and weighs only 135 grams. In addition to the drone being able to take off from your palm, it has DJI's smart tracking technology which will follow subjects. It's also capable of capturing close-up shots and it has a menu of eight intelligent shooting modes. These include circle, boomerang, spotlight, follow, and more.

If you have the creator-friendly DJI Mic Mini, you'll be able to capture audio while flying with the DJI Fly app. DJI mentions the Neo drone is ideal for vloggers or anyone who wants to capture special moments while camping, traveling, or taking on sporting adventures.

While it's sitting at a record-low price, gear up for spring content creation and snag the DJI Neo drone. Its lightweight design and the ability to use your voice or phone as a controller makes this model even more travel-friendly.

SAVE $200: As of Feb. 17, the ASUS 34-inch ROG Strix Ultrawide QD-OLED gaming monitor is on sale for just $799 instead of $999 at Amazon. That's 20% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS 34-inch ROG Strix Ultrawide QD-OLED gaming monitor (XG34WCDG) $799 at Amazon
$999 Save $200   Get Deal

Upgrading to an OLED monitor can totally transform your gaming experience. Make it an ultra-wide curved display and you'll go from basic gameplay to being completely submerged inside each level. Of course, this tech doesn't come cheap, which is why it pays to take advantage of big discounts when they pop up — like this 20% off ASUS ROG Strix deal.

As of Feb. 17, the ASUS 34-inch ROG Strix Ultrawide QD-OLED gaming monitor is on sale for just $799 at Amazon. That's $200 cheaper than its usual $999 list price and matches its lowest price on record.

The 34-inch 3440x1440 OLED display features a subtle 1800R curvature and 2.39:1 aspect ratio, which means the screen will gracefully wrap the action around you. Unlike a steeper, more aggressive curve, this display won't take as much getting used to. That being said, even a slight curve can make your games feel more immersive and can even increase eye comfort.

The ASUS ROG Strix Ultrawide OLED monitor also features a 175Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, is compatible with both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and includes ROG gaming AI tech to enhance user experience. Plus, with the OLED panel's extremely high contrast ratios, your gaming visuals will really wow you. As our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) put it, "If eye candy is what you seek, you won't go wrong with an OLED panel."