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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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Updated: 2 min 58 sec ago

Nintendos first Switch 2 Joy-Con color variant has arrived — heres where to buy it

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 12:44

If you've been patiently awaiting Nintendo's pastel purple and green Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers since their unveiling last month, you can now officially add them to your cart.

Officially called "Light Purple" and "Light Green" — though the green is definitely more of a pastel teal — the new set is available for $99.99 as of Feb. 12. Aside from the color, the controllers are an exact match to the ones that come with the Switch 2. They feature the same magnetic connectors, wrist straps, HD rumble, C button for GameChat, and can be used as a mouse for compatible games.

Credit: Nintendo

Many are already criticizing the controller variant online, as the purple and green shades are only visible on the inner rails. In other words, you can't even see the colors when connected to a Switch 2 console, unlike previous Joy-Con variants that covered the whole shell. Still, if you have $100 to spare and want to give your Switch 2 some new life, the pastel controllers add a fun (yet subtle) pop of color. You can officially purchase them at Nintendo, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop, as of Feb. 12.

Where to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con color variant: Nintendo Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Light Purple / Light Green $99.99 Shop Now Amazon Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Light Purple / Light Green $99.99 Shop Now Best Buy Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Light Purple / Light Green $99.99 Shop Now Target Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Light Purple / Light Green $99.99 Shop Now GameStop Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Light Purple / Light Green $99.99 Shop Now

Sony releases new Sand Pink colorway for XM6 headphones, and its already on sale

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 12:35

It's been a big week for Sony. The brand just launched the new XM6 earbuds which have proven to be some of the most well-rounded noise-cancelling earbuds Mashable has ever tested. But if you're more of an over-the-ear headphones type of person, Sony has something exciting in store for you.

If you're a fan of pink, the new colorway can do no wrong. Credit: Sony

On Feb. 12, Sony introduced the Sand Pink colorway to the lineup of XM6 headphone options. Previous colorway options included Black, Midnight Blue, and Platinum Silver, so this pink addition adds nice variety to the much-adored headphones.

The Sand Pink stands out among the other options for the XM6 heaphones. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

In Mashable's testing, the Sony XM6 headphones got major points for overall sound quality and noise-cancellation. Plus, Sony added a foldable earcup designed to this model, making them more travel friendly compared to the previous XM5 headphones. The XM5 colorway options include a Smoky Pink, but the new Sand Pink XM6 has a warmer and brighter pink hue.

Sony XM5 on the left in Smoky Pink with the new Sand Pink XM6 on the right. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Sony XM5 on the left in Smoky Pink with the new Sand Pink XM6 on the right. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Maybe best of all, the new Sand Pink is already on sale at Amazon. The XM6 headphones come with a list price of $459.99, but they're already on sale for $398, or a 13% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony XM6 headphones (Sand Pink) $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal

If you're not one who likes to sport black or white headphones, this new Sand Pink option adds a major pop of color to the lineup. Plus, we're pretty obsessed with it as spring rolls around with Valentine's Day right around the corner.

All the best deals were chasing ahead of Presidents Day on TVs, mattresses, and more

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 12:28
Best Presidents' Day deals Best Apple Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) 299 (Save $100) Get Deal Best Headphone Deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (Save $30) Get Deal Best Laptop Deal Lenovo 16-inch Yoga 7i 2-in-1 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $649.99 (Save $400) Get Deal Best TV Deal TCL 85-inch QM7K QD-Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,798 at Walmart $1,798 (Save $701.99) Get Deal Best Streaming Deal Starz $2.99/month for 3 months ((save $8/month)) Get Deal Best Mattress Deal DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress $1,099 (Save $1,397) Get Deal

President's Day is upon us and while it means a three day weekend, it also means one of the first big sale events of the year. President's Day, which falls on Monday, Feb. 16, is already bringing the savings. All our favorite retailers — Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart — have launched sales, bringing major savings to headphones, laptops, and much more.

The real darlings of Presidents' Day are mattresses and TVs. The savings on both are abundant, including savings up to 50% off a Mashable Choice mattress. So if you're ready to shop this weekend, we've rounded up all of the best deals across retailers and categories, finding you the best savings available over Presidents' Day weekend.

Best Apple deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Walmart
$399 Save $100   Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) is down to $299 right now. That’s a $100 discount, which isn't too shabby for a deal this early in the year. It's the lowest price we’ve tracked on this model (according to CamelCamelCamel, it last hit this price on Dec. 30, 2025).

The Series 11 is a Mashable Choice Award winner that features advanced health tracking, up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge (normal use), and a more durable exterior that’s 2x more scratch-resistant than the previous generation.

More Apple deals

AirPods

Apple Watches

iPads

MacBooks

Macs

AirTags

Apple Pencils

iPhone cases and accessories

Apple chargers, charging cables, and adapters

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon and Walmart
$129 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

The non-ANC AirPods are some of our top budget earbuds. They connect seamlessly with iPhones, sound great, and last for up to five hours at a time. (Their included charging case offers up to 30 total hours of juice.) Amazon and Walmart both have them on sale for $99, or 23% off. They're 99 cents pricier at Best Buy.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods 4.

More headphones and earbuds dealsBest laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo 16-inch Yoga 7i 2-in-1 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $649.99 at Best Buy
$1,049.99 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

The Yoga 7i gives you enough screen real estate for multitasking while also being portable enough to throw in your bag, and the 360-degree hinge lets you prop it up for movies without the keyboard getting in the way. At $400 off, the specs are hard to beat: you get the snappy Intel Core Ultra 7 and a 1TB SSD, which is double the storage you typically see in this price bracket. It's a little heavy to use as a handheld tablet for long, but as a flexible workstation, it’s solid.

More laptop and tablet deals Gaming dealsBest TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch QM7K QD-Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,798 at Walmart
$2,499.99 Save $701.99   Get Deal Why we like it

According to our pals at ZDNET (also owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis), "This QD Mini-LED display delivers stunning brightness and impressive contrast on par with OLED TVs at a far more accessible price." It combines QLED and OLED technologies to deliver a picture that's rich, deep, and bright in any circumstance. It also features a 144Hz refresh rate, Game Accelerator 288, Dolby Atmos Audio elevated by Bang & Olufsen speakers, and AIPQ Processor PRO. All in all, the 85-inch model is an excellent value for under $1,800.

More TV dealsBest Presidents' Day streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Starz Starz $2.99/month for 3 months (save $8/month) Get Deal Why we like it

One of the most slept on streaming services, this Starz Presidents' Day offer allows you to diversify your movie and TV lineup for only $2.99 per month for three months. It typically costs $10.99 per month, so you'll save about $24. Not only does Starz have its own original series like Sweetpea and Three Women, but it's also the first stop Lionsgate theatrical releases make in the streaming circuit. Recent additions include The Long Walk and The Strangers: Chapter 2, while upcoming films include The Housemaid and Greenland 2: Migration.

More Presidents' Day streaming deals

  • DirecTV MySports — $59.99/month for 2 months $69.99/month (save $10/month)

  • Disney+ and Hulu bundle — $9.99/month for 1 month $12.99/month (save $3/month)

  • NFL Sunday Ticket — $16/month for 12 months $31.50/month (save $186)

  • Spotify Premium — Free for 2 months $12.99/month (save $12.99/month)

  • Sundance Now — $3.99/month for 3 months $7.99/month (save $4/month with code SN50)

  • YouTube TV — free 10-day trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months $82.99/month (save $23/month)

Best robot vacuum deal Roborock Q10 S5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop $299.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Right now, you can get the Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum-mop combo for $299.99, down from $549.99. This is the lowest price we've ever tracked for this model, and it's our all-time favorite "quietest" robot vacuum.

Mashable's vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, says this combo vac offers the best bang for your buck. With 10,000 Pa of suction and an auto-lift feature for the mop (so it doesn't wet your carpets), you honestly can't go wrong with the Q10 S5+.

More robot vacuum deals More cordless vacuum dealsBest home deal Amazon Echo Show 11 (2025 release) $179.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $40   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Amazon Echo Show 11 (2025 release) was just announced this past October as part of Amazon’s big smart home refresh, and it’s already hitting its lowest price ever. Right now, you can grab it for $179.99, which is an 18% discount off the list price of $219.99.

It features a vibrant 11-inch Full-HD display (offering 60% more viewing area than the Echo Show 8) and room-filling spatial audio, making it a legitimate kitchen TV for streaming Netflix or Prime Video while you cook. It runs on the AZ3 Pro chip for faster responses and includes Alexa+ integration. Plus, the camera is upgraded with auto-framing and zoom for better video calls.

More Amazon device deals More home dealsBest overall mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: DreamCloud DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress $1,099 at DreamCloud
$2,496 Save $1,397   Get Deal Why we like it

Last spring when I tested the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid mattress, I was shocked by the quality to price ratio. It feels like a luxury mattress you'd encounter at a 5-star hotel, but its price falls into the affordable range. In fact, a single night's stay at some 5-star resorts would cost more than this mattress.

The DreamCloud Premier is a hybrid bed that combines a plush pillow-top with ultra supportive memory foam and coil layers. The edge-support is also noteworthy. When testing, I felt like this was a great option for couples thanks to the motion isolation or anyone who's a combination sleeper and needs support in several positions.

The DreamCloud Presidents Day Sale tosses in a mattress protector, bamboo sheet set, and two cooling pillows. If you're shopping for a queen-size, you'll be able to get the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid with these accessories for $1,099.

More mattress and bedding deals

  • Amerisleep — save $1,000 on a mattress with code PD2026

  • Avocado — take up to 20% off organic mattresses and 10% off organic bedding and pillows

  • Awara — save 50% on select mattresses

  • Bear — save 35% off sitewide

  • Beautyrest — save up to $1,000 on select mattress and adjustable base sets

  • Big Fig — get $500 off any mattress + 25% off everything else with code PRES

  • Birch — take 25% off sitewide with code PRES25

  • Brooklinen — take 20% off sitewide

  • Brooklyn Bedding — save up to 35% on mattresses

  • Bryte — save up to $1,000 off sitewide

  • Casper — take up to 30% off on mattresses and 35% off bedding bundles and pillows

  • Coop Sleep Goods — save up to 40% sitewide

  • Helix — take 25% off sitewide with code PRES25

  • Eight Sleep — save up to $350

  • Essentia — take 21% off sitewide

  • Eli & Elm — buy one pillow, get a second for 50% off

  • FluffCo — take 20% off sitewide

  • Layla — take up to $200 off mattresses and get two free Layla Pillows and free bamboo sheet set

  • Leesa — take 30% off mattresses and 25% off bedding

  • Lull — save 60% on all mattresses and get free sheets, pillows, and a mattress protector

  • Naturepedic — take 20% off sitewide

  • Nectar — save up to 60% on mattresses and 66% on bundles

  • Nest — save up to 15% on mattresses and 20% on pillows

  • Nolah — take 35% off sitewide with free in-home set-up and removal on qualifying orders

  • Puffy — save up to $1,350

  • Purple — take up to $500 off a mattress and earn up to $300 in gift credit

  • Silk & Snow — get a free sleep bundle with mattress purchase

  • Sleep Number — 50% off Limited Edition mattress

  • Tempur-Pedic — save up to $500 and get $300 in free accessories; BOGO pillows and sheets bundles

  • Tuft & Needle — save 20% sitewide

  • WinkBeds — save 30%

  • Woolroom — save up to 40%

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine $93.40 at Amazon
$129.95 Save $36.55   Get Deal Why we like it

It might still be cold in your area in mid February, but we promise spring is on its way and once the warmer weather hits, it's time for an ice cream celebration. Make your own sweet treats this year with the fan-favorite Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine. Thanks to Amazon's coupon, the ice cream maker is on sale for just $93.40, marked down from the normal price of $129.95.

The insulated freezer bowl means you'll be on your way to a frozen treat in under 30 minutes. Each batch can produce two quarts of your favorite ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or sherbet.

More kitchen dealsBest outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 portable power station $397 at Amazon
$999 Save $602   Get Deal Why we like it

Before we know it, we'll be back to spending weekends at the campground. But this year, upgrade your setup with a portable power station. This will allow you to keep phones charged up, recharge the drone batteries, and have a functional coffee maker. I've tested dozens of power stations and it's hard to go wrong with the Anker Solix C1000. It has plenty of ports for keeping gadgets charged up while camping, and there's even a lightbar for better illumination.

On Anker's website, the Solix C1000 has a list price of $999, but it's on sale at Amazon for only $397. Grab a solar panel to also pack along while camping, and you'll be in line for unlimited battery power.

More outdoor dealsBest Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet $47.98 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Spring is on its way and with it will come stunning blooms. If you feel like bringing some of that inside without worrying about keeping it alive (or pollen), Amazon is full of Lego deals this Presidents' Day. The Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet is on sale for 20% off, bringing it down to $47.98 compared to the list price of $59.99.

The bouquet features eight species of wildflowers, all on adjustable stems. You'll be adding lavender, poppies, daisies, lupins, and larkspur to your home thanks to this cheery Lego set.

More Lego deals

Check for Windows 11 updates. Microsoft just patched a major Notepad vulnerability.

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 12:19

Now would be a good time to ensure your Windows OS is up to date. Microsoft recently patched a serious vulnerability in Windows 11 related to Notepad, its text-editing tool.

The company said it fixed a "remote code execution" vulnerability. As technology website Techradar noted, the vulnerability had to do with Markdown — in which users can employ symbols to format text (e.g., asterisks to create italics) — which could allow bad actors to insert a dangerous link.

"An attacker could trick a user into clicking a malicious link inside a Markdown file opened in Notepad, causing the application to launch unverified protocols that load and execute remote files," Microsoft wrote in a security bulletin. "The malicious code would execute in the security context of the user who opened the Markdown file, giving the attacker the same permissions as that user."

Tech site Bleeping Computer tested the vulnerability and found that Microsoft now displays a warning before allowing such a link to be clicked. It's pretty much the standard "this link may be unsafe" message most users have seen before.

The vulnerability should have been automatically fixed via a patch, but it's worth double-checking to ensure Windows 11 has been updated recently on your device.

Obsession trailer: Be careful what you wish for

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 11:54

Focus Features is coming to freak you out. While Obsession doesn't hit theaters until May, the movie's promotional team is taking advantage of Valentine's Day fervor (or loathing) to zero in on the film's creepy premise.

Yesterday, Mashable shared in our Instagram stories the unnerving Valentine's Day surprises that Obsession sent our way, ranging from traditional gifts like roses, chocolates, and valentines, to less conventional romantic gifts, like a hank of hair and a brick. Just a real heavy brick. Today, we've got a new look at Obsession, and the twisted relationship at the heart of it.

Obsession begins with a lonely guy (Michael Johnston) who's crushing hard on his friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette). Dare we say he's obsessed? So, when he gets his hands on a "One Wish Willow" that promises to make one dream come true, he wishes for her to love him more than anyone in the entire world. But be careful what you wish for. Based on the love tokens we got and the latest trailer, Obsession doesn't seem like the kind of love story most couples will want to revisit on Valentine's Day. But horror fans may fall hard for this twisted tale.

Obsession opens nationwide on May 15.

Snag the perfectly portable A17 Pro iPad mini for $100 off

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 11:50

SAVE $100: As of Feb. 12, get the iPad mini (A17 Pro) for $399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon iPad mini (A17 Pro) $399 at Amazon
$499 Save $100   Get Deal

Time to pick up a new tablet? You've got plenty to choose from out there, especially with President's Day around the corner. But as you're probably well aware by now, iPads are sometimes your best options, depending on what you want to get done. And even better than that is the fun little iPad mini, which gives you what you like in the iPad in a smaller form factor.

As of Feb. 12, get the iPad mini (A17 Pro) for $399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499. That's $100 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: The best Presidents' Day Apple deals — huge discounts on AirPods, iPads, Apple Watches, and more

This iPad mini comes packing the A17 Pro chip, so it gives you plenty of power in a smaller package. Not only can you work or play on the go, but it suppors multitasking and gives you the ability to get a lot done at once, all on a great-looking screen. The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display has plenty of real estate, and more than your phone, so you've got a ton of room to utilize.

Additionally, it has a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with CenterStage, WiFi 6E compatibility, and USB-C connectivity. If you have an Apple Pencil and want to doodle or take notes, you can do that with this smaller form factor iPad as well. It makes a great tablet for doing all that on the go, especially for creative types.

If all that sounds up your alley, go ahead and pick up your iPad mini while it's on sale now. Saving $100 is a great reason to lock in.

Mashables favorite robot vacuum is on sale for a record-low price at Amazon

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 11:36

SAVE $550: The Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $1,049.99, down from the normal price of $1,599.99. That's a 34% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller $1,049.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $550   Get Deal

It used to be that robot vacuums got lost with every cleaning session. Even worse, some of them tumbled down stairs. But we now have little cleaning helpers that are super smart, and more and more models are coming with the ability to both vacuum and mop. If you're hoping to grab a combo model and don't want to mess around with lesser-than models, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of Feb. 12, the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $1,049.99, down from the normal price of $1,599.99. Today's sale shaves $550 off the price thanks to a 34% discount. It's also the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Presidents' Day sales are notorious for being a great time to make home upgrades. From espresso machines to mattresses, it's an ideal time to snag sale prices that co-inside with the beginning of spring cleaning season. Amazon's Presidents' Day sale is loaded with home improvements and the all-time low price on the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller is especially exciting.

Mashable's resident vacuum tester Leah Stodart has tested dozens of models and says the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller is her current top recommendation. For starters, it comes with 30,000 Pa of suction power which is the highest in the industry, for now.

SEE ALSO: The Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum has dropped to its lowest-ever price — save $250 at Amazon

When putting the Dreame to the test, Stodart wrote, "The Aqua10 Ultra Roller's strength has really translated to pet hair pickup, large crumb pickup, and even fine powder pickup across various rugs in my apartment," she said. "It fully cleared a mess I made on purpose on my plush Tumble fur rug involving crushed Goldfish crackers, spilled dry rice, and tough tufts of cat hair collected from the cat tree. I think the parallel spinning roller brushes underneath really help its efficacy on dry debris."

Stodart also gives the Dreame points for having relatively quiet cleaning and self-emptying noise levels. There's also the 3.15-inch threshold level which means it shouldn't have issues getting over taller thresholds in your home.

If you've been thinking about getting a robot vacuum and mop, today's sale price on the only model to come with 30,000 Pa of suction power is surely a sign that it's time to make the upgrade. You'll be saving a hefty $550 by snagging today's deal on the Dream Aqua10 Ultra Roller at Amazon.

Apple iOS 26.4 update: No Gemini-powered Siri yet, report suggests

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 11:21

Apple's big Gemini-powered upgrade for Siri won't be ready for the next iOS update.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple may have internally pushed back the release of the AI-enhanced Siri, which was supposed to at least partially launch with iOS 26.4 in March. This is a bit of a surprise because, as recently as a couple of weeks ago, Bloomberg also reported that Apple would reveal the new Siri in February. Per the newest report, we might have to wait until May or September to see the beginnings of Siri's AI journey.

SEE ALSO: Siri might become an AI chatbot in iOS 27

This is all apparently due to problems that keep occurring in internal testing. The new Siri is supposed to be able to use personal data like text messages to answer queries from users, but, per Bloomberg, Apple is running into issues with that. It is supposedly sometimes slow to respond or doesn't respond properly, and it can even run into problems when a query is spoken too quickly. Sometimes it even falls back on Siri's existing ChatGPT integration, which it is not supposed to do in these circumstances.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Presidents' Day sale is live — score huge deals on Apple, Lego, Roborock, and more

Apple's struggles with making an AI-enhanced Siri work are a bit surprising given that this initiative was announced almost two years ago, in the summer of 2024.

It's not typical of Apple to publicly announce a product or service that then undergoes significant delays; there's an AirPower every now and then, but for the most part, when Apple reveals something, that means it's going to happen on something resembling a normal schedule.

Apples spectacular M5 MacBook Pro is $150 off

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 11:16

SAVE $150: As of Feb. 12, the base model Apple M5 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage is on sale for $1,449 instead of $1,599. That's just shy of 10% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,449 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $150   Get Deal

Apple's M5 chip arrived in all its glory towards the end of 2025 and we're still reeling over its speed and performance. Where it really shines is the MacBook Pro, which Mashable's tech editor says "doesn't just surpass the competition; it actually laps the competition." Even at full price, we think it's worth it for the right user, but on sale, it's an even better value.

As of Feb. 12, you can upgrade to the base model 2025 Apple MacBook Pro (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for just $1,449 instead of $1,599. That's $150 or just shy of 10% in savings.

Yes, the M5 MacBook Pro is a whole lot like its predecessor (that's the case with most upgrades in recent years). It features the same 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, 24-hour battery life, 12MP Center Stage camera, and six-speaker sound system. Its only major upgrade is, of course, the super-charged M5 chip, which absolutely dazzles in performance. In its Geekbench GPU test, it scored a 17,470 compared to the M4's 15,199 and the Surface Laptop 7's 14,548. As Mashable's laptop specialist noted, "The only models in our database that outperform it are the 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro and a few gaming laptops."

If you're a more casual laptop user looking to save money, we'd personally recommend the M4 MacBook Air, but for power users looking for the best laptop Apple has to offer, there's no denying the M5 MacBook Pro is it.

Spider-Noir trailer: Nicolas Cage channels film noir detectives, and its glorious

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 11:00

One of the many, many highlights of 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was hearing Nicolas Cage go full grizzled detective mode as Spider-Man Noir.

Cage's scene-stealing Spider-Man variant showed up in black and white, with the wind following him wherever he went. As he revealed in his backstory, he's a private eye with a passion for egg creams and punching Nazis. What more do you need to be obsessed?

SEE ALSO: 2026 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

While audiences tragically didn't get to hear Cage in 2023's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, as Spider-Noir only showed up at the end in a non-speaking role, we do get to reunite with the character before Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse comes out. Cage takes on a new version of the role in Prime Video's live-action series Spider-Noir. From the looks of the trailer, Cage, Spider-Man, and film noir remain a match made in heaven.

Just like in Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Noir sees Cage playing Ben Reilly, a down-on-his-luck private investigator in 1930s New York City. After a personal tragedy strikes, he's forced to reckon with his past, all while serving as New York's only superhero.

That sounds heavy, but the Spider-Noir trailer itself is nonstop fun. Cage swings across the New York skyline in a trench coat and fedora, snaps and claps while fighting goons in a bar, then delivers the single best reading of the word "plastered" I have heard in my life.

The trailer is also full of sumptuous black and white cinematography, but you can also view it in color below. The series will be presented in both formats.

In addition to Cage, Spider-Noir also stars Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Abraham Popoola, Jack Huston, and Brendan Gleeson.

Spider-Noir premieres May 27 on Prime Video.

UPDATE: Feb. 12, 2026, 11:37 a.m. EST An earlier version of this article said that Cage would be reprising his role from "Into the Spider-Verse." Cage's role in "Spider-Noir" is different from that of the film.

Review: Sony’s WF-1000XM6 earbuds are so good that I can excuse their price point

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 11:00

Earbuds and headphones aren't getting any cheaper, folks.

Audio brands keep proving it: over the past year, Bose, Sony, and Bowers & Wilkins matched or beat record-high list prices with their flagship launches.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 are the latest addition to that list, launching Feb. 12 at $329.99. Yes, they're really expensive — just $20 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort headphones. And while my budget-buy-loving heart is loathe to admit it, they're also unfortunately really excellent earbuds.

SEE ALSO: I tested sleep earbuds for months: Here are the 3 I'd buy, and the one I'd skip

Upfront, I want to make it clear — Sony didn't exactly reinvent the wheel here. In fact, the brand pretty much took a page out of its own playbook. Like their XM6 headphones counterparts, the upgrades on these earbuds come down to some design changes and small boosts to noise cancellation and sound quality. Sprinkle in a few quality of life updates and, well, you've got the XM6 earbuds. By improving on an already-great product, Sony has created a standout pair of earbuds — if you can shell out.

Before we get into the specifics of what exactly makes them so great, I do want to note that I was only granted access to the companion app one day before they launched, so I didn't get to test all the features on these buds as extensively as I usually do. I'll be testing the earbuds further and updating my thoughts ASAP. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce the new XM6 earbuds.

Sony WF-1000XM6: Price and specs The XM6 are Sony's new flagship wireless earbuds. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Sony WF-1000XM6 are $329.99, the highest-ever launch price for a pair of Sony earbuds.

For comparison, the Sony WF-1000XM5 launched in 2023 at a price of $299, but jumped late last year to $329.99. While expensive, the XM5s have almost always been marked down to about $250 (or lower).

I doubt the XM6 earbuds will get the same generous discount off the bat, making them some of the most expensive flagship earbuds. Bose and Technics aren't too far behind, with the second-gen QuietComfort Ultra and EAH-AZ1000 earbuds retailing for $299 and $299.99, respectively. Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are the surprising affordable option at $249.

  • Processor: QN3e

  • Equalizer: 10-band custom equalizer with app

  • Battery life: 8 hours per charge, 24 hours with case

  • Microphones: 8 mics

  • IP rating: IPX4

  • Charging: USB-C and Qi wireless charging

  • Bluetooth codecs: SBC/AAC/LDAC/LC3

  • Colors: Platinum silver and black

In the box, in addition to the earbuds and case, you'll get a USB-A to USB-C charging cable and four sizes of earbud tips, ranging from XS to L. The earbuds also have redesigned drivers for improved bass, high-frequency, and clarity.

The Sony sound difference These earbuds are equally great for listening to on the go as they are for sitting at your desk all day. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I've tested the XM5 earbuds, the XM5 headphones, and the XM6 headphones — each of them was a standout in audio performance, but so far the WF-1000XM6 are the most impressive of the bunch.

Having tested my fair share of premium earbuds, I know that most new earbuds sound really good these days, and that the gap between earbuds and over-ear headphones is shrinking. Still, I couldn't believe the depth of sound produced by the XM6 earbuds, the richness of quality across genres, and how immersive it all felt. And that was my listening experience out of the box.

Once I toggled on settings to prioritize audio quality and set the equalizer to my liking, I found myself legitimately distracted by how good the music sounded. Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" feels like a good benchmark of how dynamic these earbuds can sound — shrieking guitar rifts put the highs of these earbuds to good use, yet they just as adeptly handle perfectly compressed and isolated vocals. Somehow, they handled the operatic background vocals and soft piano at the end of the song just as well.

The sound will not disappoint you. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable SEE ALSO: The 11 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend

Daft Punk's live performance of "One More Time/Aerodynamic" proved how big these earbuds could make music sound. The iconic guitar riffs could've sounded crunchy, or the bass blown out; instead, both elements came through clearly, with an excellent blend. The result? I felt like I was as close as I could be to being in the middle of a crowd of screaming fans, without actually being there.

I also tested these earbuds as the 2026 Winter Olympics aired, and as a figure skating fan, I don't know that there's a pair of earbuds better suited for hours of listening to the music of iconic programs from the past and present. These earbuds helped me appreciate the swelling strings in Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 18" and the hits of the orchestra in Stravinsky's "The Firebird," both of which came through with equal precision and clarity.

All this to say, I'm confident the XM6 earbuds can handle whatever genre you throw at them, and they're certainly the best-sounding earbuds I've ever tested. My editor, Timothy Beck Werth, also agreed that the sound on these buds is "really darn good," but he maintained that the clarity of the Technics EAH-AZ1000 earbuds is better on balance. Still, I'm sure even picky audiophiles won't be disappointed with the XM6s.

The best noise cancellation you can find in earbuds Four microphones in each earbud help provide the best noise cancellation possible. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

In their press materials, Sony claimed that the active noise cancellation on these wireless earbuds is 25 percent better than the XM5 earbuds. In my experience, Sony headphones and earbuds have great ANC, but not necessarily the best of the best. With these earbuds, though, it's clear Sony is making some changes.

While I've considered the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds the best of the best for ANC, the Sony XM6 earbuds provide a real challenge to Bose's supremacy. Like the Bose buds, Sony's come packed with eight microphones (four in each bud) for adaptive noise cancellation, and it shows.

The ANC worked well in all the typical scenarios — on walks, working in crowded areas, and in my home office while my family goes about their day. Whenever I took the earbuds out or toggled off the ANC, I was pleasantly surprised by how much sound I wasn't hearing from the world around me. Still, it wasn't until I worked on a café patio about 100 feet away from a train track that I realized just how good the ANC on these earbuds was. Forget the sound of the other customers or music from the café — I could barely hear the arrival of a literal Amtrak. Of course, some sound came through — I could still hear the crossing bell and the muffled rumble of the train — but it was significantly less than I expected to hear, even with the best noise-cancelling earbuds.

The redesigned charging case may be a bit awkward in your pocket. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Compared to the Bose buds, the noise cancellation of the XM6s felt less noticeable. As much as I love the QC Ultras, I have noticed some hissing with the ANC activated, especially when I wasn't playing music. Though it's not totally absent on the XM6s, I have to listen for it. When playing music, the XM6s create a perfect cocoon of silence, just for me and my music. My only real critique? I wish the ANC was manually adjustable at this price point, but for how well it works without any adjustability, I'm not really complaining.

The transparency mode also worked well enough, not over-amplifying or peaking the sounds of the environment. They still fell prey to that hissing sound you find on most transparency modes, but that's not necessarily a Sony-specific issue.

While I'm not finished testing their sound, I can back these buds as the best new noise-cancelling option out there.

The redesign was the right choice The XM6 earbuds have a longer, more oval-shaped design. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Sony deviated from the design of the previous generation, making the charging case taller, with more defined edges. The earbuds themselves also got a narrower, more oval shape compared to the circle design of the XM5 earbuds.

Despite the earbuds themselves having roughly the same profile, they stuck out less from my ear than the XM5s. Sony went with a slimmer shape to better fit the inner ear. While I had no real issues with the XM5 buds, I do feel like I get an even closer fit with the XM6s, which helps both in improving sound quality and noise cancellation.

The redesigned earbuds and charging case. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable SEE ALSO: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Is it worth the upgrade?

The charging case is slightly bigger, but I didn't find that it took up that much more room in my bag (you may notice the difference in your pockets, however). If anything, I think the bigger flaw of the new design is the learning curve of the touch controls. While the smaller surface area of the earbuds allows for a sleeker look and better fit, I struggled to find the right spot to activate the touch controls, unlike with the XM5s. Once I figured it out, I had minimal difficultly (though sometimes the double-tap to switch songs didn't always register). Yes, this feels nitpicky, but these earbuds are $330, so I find the nitpicking justified.

On the comfort front, I could wear these earbuds for hours on end easily. On some occasions, I felt minor soreness for maybe a minute when I took them out, but it was very manageable, and they still felt comfortable than most other earbuds (full disclosure: I find over-ear headphones more comfortable). Bose still takes the comfort cake here, with the QC Ultras' stability band providing a really nice seal, without sacrificing wearability, but Sony is certainly a close second.

Sony XM5 vs. XM6 earbuds A battle of the buds. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

I'll have a more in-depth comparison of these two earbuds coming soon, so I'll keep this brief. Here's a basic rundown of their major differences and similarities:

  • Sound and ANC: The XM6s are not leaps and bounds better, but they're noticeably better on both fronts. More sound is blocked out, and audio is richer, fuller, and warmer.

  • Wear and design: The aesthetics between the two is up to user preference, but the XM6 earbuds definitely fit better in my ears. I notice myself adjusting the XM5 earbuds frequently to get a tighter seal, whereas the XM6s stay in place once I put them in.

  • Companion app experience: Again, I haven't spent much time with the app on the XM6s, but from a quick look, it's largely the same.

  • Battery life: You get the same battery life on both buds — eight hours per charge and 24 hours with the case. Not the best we've seen on flagship ANC earbuds, and not the worst.

Are the Sony WF-1000XM6 worth it?

While I wouldn't say you need to upgrade from the WF-1000XM5 model, if you're in the market for a brand-new pair of premium wireless earbuds, I'm struggling to think of a better all-around performer than the WF-1000XM6 earbuds.

The keyword here, of course, is premium — these earbuds don't come cheap, and there are plenty of budget options you could choose instead and still get a really solid experience. For Apple users, the $250 price point of the latest AirPods Pro 3 feels a lot more reasonable.

However, if the priority is to experience the best possible noise cancellation and stellar audio quality, well, I don't hesitate to recommend these earbuds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-1000XM6 $329.99 at Sony
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Sonys new XM6 earbuds are finally here — but youll want to brace yourself

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 11:00

Sony's latest flagship audio product, the WF-1000XM6 earbuds, is officially here as of Feb. 12.

Just like last year's XM6 headphones, these earbuds feature better active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and an upgraded design. Also like their headphones counterpart, those updates come at a cost — Sony bumped up the starting price to $329.99, which is $30 more than the release price of the WF-1000XM5 earbuds released three years ago.

After spending a week testing out the earbuds, I can see why Sony raised the price point — they're some of the most well-rounded noise-cancelling earbuds I've ever tried. Still, $329.99 is no small chunk of change, so to help you make any purchasing decisions, I've broken down what's new, what's the same, and where to pick up Sony's latest release.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Earbuds $329.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Sony WF-1000XM6: The specs The XM6 come with a redesigned case and earbud shape. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

So what do you get for $329.99? Here's the basic breakdown:

  • Processor: QN3e

  • Equalizer: 10-band custom equalizer with app

  • Battery life: 8 hours per charge, 24 hours with case

  • Microphones: 8 mics

  • IP rating: IPX4

  • Charging: USB-C and Qi wireless charging

  • Bluetooth codecs: SBC/AAC/LDAC/LC3

  • Ear tips: XS, S, M, L

  • Colors: Platinum silver, black

If you've been paying attention to the recent leaks, these specs won't be a surprise. The headline is that these buds offer a zippier performance thanks to the new QN3e chip and better noise cancellation thanks to the eight microphones, up from six on the XM5 earbuds.

Sony WF-1000XM6: What's newAn updated design The XM6s bring a few minor, but important, changes. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

One of the bigger changes on these earbuds is also one of the more visually apparent. The case loses some of the rounded sides of the XM5 for sharper edges (with rounded ends on either side). The earbuds themselves also take on a new, more oval shape, as compared to the circular design of the XM5s. Sony made this change so the earbud could better fit the inner ear.

I was able to achieve a more flush fit with these earbuds without sacrificing comfort, which I attribute in part to their shape. It's not significantly smaller — Sony says the buds are 11 percent slimmer than the XM5 buds — but less surface area means there's slightly more of a learning curve in using the touch controls.

Better noise cancellation

These earbuds also get a noticeable upgrade in their ANC power. While some parts of the system have remained the same from their predecessor (more on that shortly), the XM6 earbuds come equipped with eight microphones (four are housed in each bud) to the XM5's six. The result is ANC that's truly incredible — so much so that I find it to be some of, if not the best, I've ever tried.

On top of that, Sony says the ANC is now so good that even if you wear the buds more loosely in your ear, they still block out the majority of sound.

Improved sound quality

Sony's best headphones and earbuds are known for their stellar sound quality, and the XM6 earbuds are no exception. When listening side-by-side to the XM5 earbuds, it's easy to hear a jump in the depth and clarity of the sound. The newer earbuds evoke a richness and attention to detail, whether you're listening to pop, rock, R&B, classical, or a podcast. (You can learn more about how they compare to other earbuds in my full review, and a more in-depth comparison to the XM5 earbuds is on its way.)

To power the improved audio features, the XM6 buds have a new processor. They also have a new driver with a high-rigidity dome and notched edges, which provides better clarity and clearer high-frequency audio.

The XM6 earbuds come with the best sound quality we've heard from Sony buds so far. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Clearer call quality

More mics equal better call quality, and the difference is clear in the XM6 earbuds. In addition to the eight microphones, these earbuds use a new bone conduction sensor, two microphones for AI beamforming, and AI noise reduction to make sure your voice comes through as clear as possible on calls.

The price point

While the XM5 earbuds are technically priced at $329.99, they weren't released at that price. In fact, it wasn't until September 2025 that their price jumped up from its initial list price of $299.99. While not unheard of in the tariff economy, the price point makes slightly more sense on this new and improved model.

For comparison, Apple's AirPods Pro 3 were released last year at $249, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds were released at $299.

Sony WF-1000XM6: What's the same Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

In this era of iterative improvements, Sony didn't completely reinvent the XM6 earbuds, so naturally, they have some overlap with the XM5 earbuds. Here's what they have in common:

  1. The same battery life: Both earbud generations come with eight hours of battery life per charge, with 24 hours in the case.

  2. Noise isolation earbud tips: Unlike other buds that opt for super smooth silicone ear tips, Sony's noise isolation earbud tips have a more grippy, foam-like feel to help provide the best fit and passive ANC possible. Though parts of the design have changed, Sony hasn't touched the earbud tips between the XM5 and XM6 earbuds.

  3. The same fine print: Like their predecessor, the XM6 have IPX4 water resistance and multipoint connection with two devices.

Where to buy the Sony WF-1000XM6 headphones

The Sony WF-1000XM6 are available in platinum silver and black for $329.99 at Sony's website. They'll be available for sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers as well.

Where to buy the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds Sony Sony WF-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Earbuds $329.99 Shop Now Amazon Sony WF-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Earbuds $329.99 Shop Now Best Buy Sony WF-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Earbuds $329.99 Shop Now The previous gen Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Earbuds $329.99 Shop Now

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette review: A romance and horror story, all in one

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 11:00

When Ryan Murphy gets his hands on a landmark event in American history, you can never be quite sure how it will translate to TV. Will it be a canny re-examination of how the moment shaped American culture, in the vein of The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story? Or will it follow the more exploitative path of Netflix's Monster anthology? 

SEE ALSO: 'The Beauty' review: Ryan Murphy's latest is gorgeous, unhinged ridiculousness

That's the question facing Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, the beginning of a new anthology series created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Murphy. Over the course of nine episodes (eight of which were given to critics for review), Love Story offers viewers an intimate look at the rise of one of the most iconic '90s It Couples, as well as the extensive media pressure they faced. The show crafts a fittingly whirlwind romance, but the latter element hangs over said romance at all times. Because of this, the real fascination of Love Story becomes watching how the series avoids — and sometimes falls right into — the very pitfalls of obsessive media coverage it's trying to critique.

Love Story dramatizes the relationship between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon in "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette." Credit: FX

From its opening moments, Love Story had me worried that it would veer into the callous depictions of tragic past events that often plague Murphy productions.

The series begins on July 16, 1999, as John F. Kennedy Jr. (Paul Anthony Kelly), his wife Carolyn Bessette (Sarah Pidgeon), and her sister Lauren Bessette (Sydney Lemmon) prepare to take off in the plane flight that will eventually take their lives. Thankfully, the show cuts away before dramatizing the actual crash, but the hint of tragedy (and concerns over how Love Story might eventually handle it) do persist as the show continues.

From here, Love Story flashes back to John and Carolyn's lives before they met. He's the presumed next in line to continue the Kennedys' political dynasty, not to mention America's most sought-after bachelor. She's the ultra-confident, self-assured Calvin Klein publicist who doesn't immediately fall at his feet.

SEE ALSO: 'Industry' Season 4 review: HBO's criminally underrated drama thrills in most ambitious season yet

While it takes a while for the pair to begin dating in earnest, their chemistry is palpable from the start. Newcomer Kelly brings a nervy charm to John's early flirtations with Carolyn, rarely slipping into Kennedy caricature. (Naomi Watts' Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis voice fits that criteria far more.) Pidgeon anchors the relationship in a pragmatic cool, although at a certain point her constantly deployed hair tousles and lip bites read less as natural mannerisms and more as an actor's heightened performance of a cool girl archetype.

Where Pidgeon really shines is the show's latter half, when John and Carolyn may be committed to one another, but the press is committed to hounding them. Here, Pidgeon turns every moment Carolyn spends in public into a kind of social calculus. You can see her working out just how much her presence is impacting those around her, and almost always making the heartbreaking call that she's too much of a burden.

Love Story critiques the media frenzy around JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette — but isn't it part of it? Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly in "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette." Credit: Kurt Iswarienko / FX

Carolyn's struggles with the press drive much of Love Story, and the result is undeniably compelling. The series may as well be called American Horror Story at parts thanks to the way it turns the paparazzi into a zombie-like horde. Once friendly enough to trade jokes with John (or even jump into a football game with him and his friends), they become vicious when Carolyn is in the mix. They swarm over the Kennedys' car and camp outside their building, even going as far as to try to buzz into their loft. In one scene, the buzzer rings out like a jump scare. In others, the creeping flash of camera bulbs serve a similar purpose.

But as much as Love Story highlights the strain all this press attention put on Carolyn, it still occupies a similar space to that same media circus, just 30 years later.

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After all, the paparazzi were trying to expose some inner workings of Carolyn and John's relationship to the public, to offer up their marriage as entertainment to the masses. Is that not Love Story's goal too? Even though the show emphasizes it's a fictionalized account of history, it still painstakingly recreates several public moments from its subjects' lives, including a 1996 fight that was caught on camera. At times, it also uses footage of the actual Kennedy family, blurring the line between fiction and reality.

Given how today's media landscape works, it won't be long before viewers are searching up the specifics of these moments, leading them down a rabbit hole of articles and TikToks dissecting the minutiae of the show's historical accuracy. It's the media frenzy of the '90s, resurrected in a new form. (The Kennedy family was not consulted about the series.)

To its credit, Love Story approaches its leads with far more empathy than the paparazzi. The show rejects salaciousness in favor of glossy romance, while also focusing on Carolyn's struggles to define herself beyond her husband and on John's efforts to define himself beyond his father. These choices help make for a better, more well-rounded portrait of the couple, but crucially, they also allow Love Story to avoid becoming a downright villain in its own story.

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette premieres Feb. 12 at 9 p.m. ET on FX and Hulu.

BTS to stream ARIRANG concerts live in cinemas

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 10:50

BTS will not only stream their first tour back after a hiatus on Netflix, but they're also bringing it to cinemas.

Announced on Thursday, the Bangtan Boys will bring their 'ARIRANG' world tour concerts to movie theatres. It's a collaboration between HYBE, BigHit Music, and Trafalgar Releasing, the team that brought Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour to theaters.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Netflix will livestream BTS' first concert after hiatus

BTS' first tour together in four years will hit 34 cities across the world with a total of 82 shows, starting with Goyang, Korea on Apr. 9 — and at this point, almost every show with tickets on sale is sold out or on last seats.

The live-streamed concerts will be Goyang's second show on Apr. 11 and the second Tokyo show on Apr. 18. Tickets are available through the event website from Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. KST / 5 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. GMT / 8 p.m. ICT. Specific cities and cinemas aren't listed at this point, but the release will be global.

All seven members of BTS — RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook — will perform songs from their upcoming fifth album ARIRANG as well as the huge BTS catalogue.

BTS announced a hiatus for the group in June 2022 in order to fulfill South Korea's mandatory military service (which they'd all completed by June 2025) and spend time on solo projects.

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I havent had a boyfriend for a decade. Heres what Ive learned.

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 09:18

I was at a funeral a few months ago when something was said to me that threw my status as my family's perennial singleton into sharp relief.

I was holding my cousin's new baby when a relative called out, "Get a good look at this. Because it'll be the last time you ever see Rachel holding a child."

My aunts, uncles, cousins, and even family friends turned their heads to do precisely as they'd been instructed: have a good gawp at me. Someone even took a photo to memorialise this moment.

SEE ALSO: The history of the single positivity movement goes back further than you think

It was the first good laugh I'd had during what had been an otherwise upsetting day.

That was the umpteenth time that day I'd had a comment about my absence of a partner. "Are you not married yet?" one relative asked me during the wake. "They haven't made the man for Rachel," someone else interjected. "Is that so?" I retorted.

This year, I'm celebrating 10 years of being single. A decade since I broke up with my last serious boyfriend and never looked back. This time has been an invaluable period of learning and personal growth.

That may well sound trite, but I've been reflecting on the knowledge this decade has brought me; the hard lessons reaped in moments of painful heartbreak, the experiences that brought with them unparalleled insights about myself. It's hard to distill 10 years of being boyfriend-free into one article, but I thought I'd share some of the most meaningful lessons I've learned during this time.

Some people are uncomfortable around single-by-choice women

The first lesson I learned is twofold.

The moment at the family funeral is one of innumerable interactions I've had the displeasure of enduring. In learning that my protracted singledom leaves some people scratching their heads, I also developed strategies for deflecting those comments and feeling decidedly unbothered by them. Need I remind these people that they were the ones instructing me to "D-U-M-P" the last time I had a boyfriend. Like seriously, what do you want from me?

SEE ALSO: It's time to reclaim singledom as a symbol of power

It's not just my extended family. I've noticed friends attempting to explain my status as an unattached human, inserting their own narrative each time. "I think I've figured it out," one friend informed me. "You just text guys without ever going on dates with them."

"You're so weird," another friend told me. "It's just not a priority for you right now, that's all," another concluded. The latter statement is closest to the truth. But, why is my lack of boyfriend something that requires an explanation or excuse? When was the last time you heard a couple explaining why they're not single?

When was the last time you heard a couple explaining why they're not single?

I've become very skilled at deflecting the inane questions about my singledom with vaguely witty quips. "I've actually opted for a life of feminist separatism!" is my current favourite. But mostly I just laugh loudly and drink my wine.

During a recent family gathering, a younger female relative brought up the comments I get about my lack of boyfriend. "Does it not make you really angry? Because it annoys the hell out of me." The truth is, it really doesn't. "Oh I honestly couldn't give a fuck," was my reply.

Perhaps the absence of a boyfriend makes my family and friends uneasy. Perhaps they ponder how this peculiar anomaly ended up in their family. But the only opinion I care about on this particular subject is my own. And frankly, I feel chill as fuck about being single.

There is no 'if' and 'when'

For much of my teens and twenties I told myself I’d go on a date once I’ve lost weight. I'd feel good about myself once I shed a few pounds. When I'm thin, I’ll be desirable and therefore "girlfriend material".

I, like many women and girls, ingested the patriarchal idea that to be desirable means to be thin. I have battled the perilously close relationship my weight and self-worth have had since girlhood. At school, I longed to switch places with someone else. I looked at other girls in my year who carried themselves with an air of confidence. I longed to be them. I yearned to know what it felt like to like the skin you're in. But the truth is, those girls may well have been fighting their own inner battles.

Those thoughts didn't go away. They got louder, more difficult to drown out. Sometimes they quietened down, but there was always a low hum thrumming in the background. I tried to address them in the worst way possible — by limiting my food intake. But the self-worth I had promised myself never arrived. I waited for it but it never came. I realised the change didn’t need to come from outside — it wasn’t the flesh on my body that needed to change, but the thoughts within it. My relationship with food is better now. But from time to time those thoughts rear their heads.

Loving yourself is hard. But it's the most important relationship any of us will ever have.

A few months ago, I uttered some of those thoughts aloud to two of my dearest friends. That since adolescence I'd been promising myself a life that could only be unlocked if I looked a certain way. Like a video game with a level I just couldn't get to. "Man, the patriarchy has really done a number on us," one friend replied.

"One day," my other friend cut in. "You will look back at photos of yourself and realise just how hot you once were." When she said this, I started to cry. I'd already experienced the beginnings of that during one meandering down memory lane. I'd looked through photos of myself from several years ago and felt unspeakably sad that I hadn't realised how lovely I had looked.

Like Lizzo said: "It's so hard trying to love yourself in a world that doesn't love you back."

Loving yourself is hard. But it's the most important relationship any of us will ever have.

Alone time is a precious commodity

An older man once told me to make the most of my writing career while I'm young and child-free. "Because once you have kids, you won't have time." I wondered if he'd ever say that to a male journalist.

Speaking of gender and writing, a recent Guardian piece — entitled "A woman's greatest enemy? A lack of time to herself" — really crystallised everything I've felt as a woman with a desire to write.

"A few months ago, as I struggled to carve out time in my crowded days for writing, a colleague suggested I read a book about the daily rituals of great artists," writes Brigid Schulte in the piece. "But instead of offering me the inspiration I’d hoped for, what struck me most about these creative geniuses – mostly men – was not their schedules and daily routines, but those of the women in their lives." Schulte concluded that in order to create, long stretches of alone time are vital, but "that’s something women have never had the luxury to expect."

SEE ALSO: How to move on after a situationship ends

Since I started writing creatively during my childhood and adolescence, I have struggled with a feeling of antsy nervousness that someone was going to come along and tell me to get up and make myself useful. Even when you have two feminist parents, it takes decades of work to unlearn the socially imposed idea that writing time is a guilty pleasure — time you've stolen from other more deserving tasks.

I am not very good at multitasking. I am prone to distractions. I am, in short, a writer. In order to get any writing done outside of my 9-5 workday, I basically need enormous swaths of uninterrupted creative alone time. My weekends and evenings are spent writing, punctuated with coffee or drinks with friends. As a writer, I find that aloneness is key. Both in terms of having space to think and plan, as well as unbroken periods of free time to just sit and write the damn thing.

NO. TIME. Credit: vicky leta / mashable

As my friend pointed out, I have prioritised writing above all else in my life — with the exception of my immediate family. But that often feels like it has come at a cost. Broken friendships. Cancelled dates. Endless guilt and feelings of complete selfishness.

Corollary statement: I know it's possible to do both. There are women writers in loving relationships. I just haven't yet figured out how to do both.

The reality for me, at least, is that I find dating one enormous distraction. One that I tend to dip my toe in and out of when I have the time and energy. Maybe I'm selfish. Or maybe I'm just doing what male writers have been doing for centuries — maybe even millennia.

But avoiding distraction is not always easy, and it teaches you some brutal lessons.

SEE ALSO: Access to this intuitive writing app is on sale for 50% off Some people mean more to you than you do to them

A man I used to love came to stay at my flat three months ago. What ensued was probably one of the worst things I've ever put myself through.

We'd had a fling three years ago. But that fling was re-flung one or two more times after the first fling ended. I fell in love. I usually preface that sentence with "stupidly," but I know it didn't feel stupid at the time. Those feelings, it would appear, were not returned. Against the advice of my friends and family, I said yes to seeing him during a visit to London. In hindsight, I should have heeded their warnings.

As we sat drinking wine in the wee small hours, he veered the conversation in the dangerous territory of his love life. "The thing is, I'm just really difficult to love," he told me. I — a person who had, unbeknown to him, loved him once upon a time — told him he wasn't. He snapped at me: "you don't know my experience." Perhaps not, but I do know my own.

Sometimes you feel things. Sometimes other people don’t. Don’t take it personally.

What happened next sparked an epiphany. He reeled off the important romances he'd had in recent years. My name was notably absent from the list. "Before my ex, there was no one for three years."

I nodded and made all the right noises, but my head was quietly totting up the maths. In this equation, the answer was clear: I was "no one". What had been a fallow period of unromance for him had been a phase of unparalleled heartbreak and self-torture for me.

Later, I cried down the phone to a friend as he slept peacefully on the sofa downstairs. It was a moment of realisation that I had lived an alternate reality in which I'd deluded myself that I'd mattered to someone. The truth of the matter was that I didn't make the cut of memorable romances.

Realising that he'd meant a lot more to me than I had to him was a necessary realisation, albeit a painful one.

Sometimes you feel things. Sometimes other people don’t. Don’t take it personally.

When to dump him

A few days ago I was rooting through my old things at my parents' house when I found my old diary from the year I turned 21 — which coincided with my last serious relationship.

Several pages into the diary, I came across an entry dating back to 2009, around the time I decided to end things with my last boyfriend. "Had, at this stage, decided that I needed to dump Nick," I wrote. "What a bore. Don't understand why I hadn't done it already??!"

If you'll excuse the unabashedly heartless tone of the writing (I was 21), I think I might have been onto something. Not that I took that lesson remotely to heart back then, of course. Nope, it's taken me 10 years of lingering too long in toxic situationships and turbulent casual flings to finally get the hint: you should have dumped him a long time ago.

There was the guy who was so emotionally abusive that I used to throw up after I spent time with him. That same guy who would shake his head at me when I asked a question and say my name in admonishment. That same guy who would shush me and roll his eyes at me. Needless to say, I never want to see or hear from him ever again.

There was the guy in another city who invited me to come stay with him for a few days who casually dropped in one evening that he had a girlfriend — only after we'd slept together, of course! There was even a guy this summer who didn't listen when I said I wasn't free for a date that very afternoon, who promptly showed up at my house declaring "I've come to collect you, let's go!" Sorry, what?

If there's one thing you learn from a decade of dating, it's boundaries. Boy, do I have some serious boundaries now.

Being single has taught me to be kinder to myself. Credit: vicky leta

These men all outstayed their welcomes in my love life. The one blessing is that I now know what I will and will not put up with. I know the red flags. I know the things to be wary of. And crucially, I know when to utter those delicious three words: "We are done."

Life, as we all know, is brimming with lessons. Some of those lessons are harder than others.

There have been the lightning-flash epiphanies that arrived at my lowest ebbs. Moments like the time I stood crying on a New York City sidewalk, I made a promise to myself about how I should be treated by future men in my life. There have also been more gradual educational opportunities — things that have taken years to figure out, and others I'm still working on.

Most important of all, this decade of being single has taught me to be kinder to myself.

Knowing when to silence the inner critic, how I deserve to be treated, that my value lies not in whether or not I have a partner, that alone time is precious. These are the pieces of wisdom I will carry with me for decades to come.

Featured Video For You 'I was cloaked.' What it's like to be blocked and stood up by your Hinge date.

This article was first published in 2019 and republished in 2026.

Behold, the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup in glorious leaked photos

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 09:07

Well, that was fast. Just a day after Samsung finally decided to give us the date for its big Samsung Galaxy S26 series unveiling, the entire lineup leaked online.

Yes, the Galaxy Unpacked event is set for Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. PT (9 a.m. ET). And thanks to leaker Evan Blass, we just got an early glimpse of what the phones will look like.

Well, it's more than a glimpse: Blass actually obtained official-looking photos of the entire lineup. Don't get too excited, though; the phones look very similar to how they did last year.

The specs for the lineup, which consists of the Samsung Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, have leaked as well, so there's very little left to the imagination before the official unveiling.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will be available in four colors: White, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, and black (pictured). Credit: Samsung/Evan Blass

Starting with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it's still gonna be a camera powerhouse, with a 200-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 10-megapixel 3x optical zoom camera, coupled with a 12-megapixel selfie camera. It has a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 12/16GB of RAM, 256/512/1024GB of storage, and a 5,000mAh battery.

Samsung Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus share pretty much the same specs. The big differences are battery and display size. Credit: Samsung/Evan Blass

The Galaxy S26 Plus (above) will have a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an Exynos 2,600 chip, 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, and a 4,900mAh battery. It will have a triple rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel main camera, 10-megapixel 3x optical zoom telephoto camera, and a 12-megapixel camera, with a 12-megapixel selfie camera on the front.

Samsung Galaxy S26 is the smallest of the three devices, with a 6.3-inch display. Credit: Samsung/Evan Blass

The Galaxy S26 will have nearly the same specs as the S26 Plus, the biggest differences being a smaller, 6.3-inch AMOLED display, and a 4,300mAh battery.

SEE ALSO: Samsung finally sets a date: Galaxy Unpacked is coming Feb. 25

Of course, none of this is official, but it looks as accurate as rumors get. Hopefully, Samsung still has a surprise or two up its sleeve for its Unpacked event.

How to watch Australia vs. Zimbabwe online for free

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 08:52

TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup group stage is slowly getting settled. Australia won their opening game against Ireland, and now face off against Zimbabwe. In fact, both sides have a perfect record going into this clash after Zimbabwe overcame Oman in Colombo.

Australia will be expected to win this fixture and basically guarantee progression into the Super 8 stage. Zimbabwe will fancy their chances of squeezing into second spot, but they'll need to get a result here or against hosts Sri Lanka. That's a tough test for any side.

If you want to watch Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. Zimbabwe?

Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 12:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 13. This game takes place at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Australia vs. Zimbabwe for free

Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 a location with access

  4. Visit ICC.TV

  5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • 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).

Watch the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

30 sexy Valentines Day gifts that will hit harder than a generic box of chocolates

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 06:26

The dinner reservation is just the preamble. Valentine’s Day is the one night of the year you have a calendar-official excuse to shut the door and focus entirely on each other. But true romance shouldn't mean buying cheap novelty gags or uncomfortable lingerie you only wear once. There are much more impactful spicy gift ideas out there, and we narrowed down a list of the best sexy Valentine's Day gifts for your boyfriend, girlfriend, someone more permanent, or someone more casual.

We're talking about lubes that won't ruin your sheets, toys that do the heavy lifting, and games that help you skip the small talk. If they get turned on by the real sentimental stuff, just know that these DIY photo gift ideas aren't as innocent as they appear. Whether you're looking to break out of a routine or just want to see what happens when you introduce a projector to the bedroom, these are the gifts that pay off long after February.

How to watch Daytona 500 live: streaming details

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 06:19
Ways to watch Daytona 500 at a glance: Fox One free 7-day trial, then $19.99/month Get Deal Fox One (Prime Video add-on) free 7-day trial, then $19.99/month Get Deal YouTube TV free 10-day trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months Get Deal Best Buy Essentials Ultra-Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna $24.99 Get Deal

The biggest annual event in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, Daytona 500, kick-starts the auto-racing calendar this weekend. This year marks the 68th year of The Great American Race at Daytona International Speedway. This year, 41 drivers will compete in the 200-lap (500-mile) race. So far, 37 are locked and loaded and eight drivers must compete for the final four spots.

Want to tune in live? Here's what you need to know about the 2026 race and how to watch it for free.

When is the Daytona 500?

The 68th Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET and will run through 6:30 p.m. ET.

The final four spots have yet to be decided. Two will lock in through single-car qualifying on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 8:15 p.m. ET and the final two will get in through the duels on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. ET.

What channel is the Daytona 500 on?

The kickoff of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, a.k.a The Great American Race, will be aired live on Fox for those with cable or an over-the-air antenna. To watch the qualifying and duels on Wednesday and Thursday, you'll need FS1.

How to watch the Daytona 500 without cable

Lucky for NASCAR fans (and other sports fans for that matter), Fox finally launched its own direct-to-consumer streaming service in 2025. Previously, cord-cutters would need a pay TV provider like YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling to watch live Fox channels, but the new streaming service Fox One offers a more affordable option. And if you only want to watch the Daytona 500, you can get it for free with a seven-day trial.

Fox One is essentially a one-stop shop for the entirety of the Fox TV portfolio, giving subscribers access to live local Fox stations, as well as Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, Fox News, Fox Business, Fox Weather, Fox Deportes, and Fox Network. It costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year and you can choose between subscribing directly through Fox or signing up as a Prime Video add-on. Plus, as mentioned above, you'll get your first week free if you're a new subscriber. That means you can watch Sunday's race for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One free 7-day trial, then $19.99/month Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One (Prime Video add-on) free 7-day trial, then $19.99/month Get Deal

If you've already exhausted your free trial for Fox One and are looking for another way to watch Daytona 500 for free, you could sign up for a free trial of cable replacement services like YouTube TV (10-day trial), Fubo (3-day trial), or Hulu + Live TV (3-day trial). Just be sure to cancel before the trial is up or you'll be hit with a hefty monthly subscription cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube YouTube TV free 10-day trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months Get Deal

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention digital antennas as an alternative way to watch. Digital antennas give you access to your local Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC stations for free. As long as you live decently close to your local TV station broadcast towers, you'll be able to watch for free — just be sure to check the distance and range before making a purchase. Our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) have a few recommendations, including this basic one from Best Buy that retails for just $24.99. It's reversible to match your decor, multidirectional, and has a range of 50 miles.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Best Buy Essentials Ultra-Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna $24.99
  Get Deal

Walmart has launched its Presidents Day sale — find live deals on TVs, Apple, laptops, and more

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 06:12
The best Walmart Presidents' Day deals at a glance: Best tech deal Apple AirTag 1st gen (4-Pack) $64 (save $35) Get Deal Best headphones deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30.99) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 85-inch QM7K QD-Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,798 (save $701.99) Get Deal Best home deal Dyson V9 Motorbar Cordless Vacuum $299.99 (save $300) Get Deal

The first big shopping holiday of 2026 has nearly arrived and all the major retailers have deals popping up across all sorts of categories. While you may think of mattress deals when you think of Presidents' Day, there are plenty of other discounts on everything from TVs to headphones. If you prefer to shop at Walmart, we've rounded up all the best Presidents' Day deals you can shop now.

We expect more discounts to arise as the official holiday — falling on Feb. 16, 2026 — inches closer. We'll update this list with any new noteworthy deals. For now, here are the best Presidents' Day deals to shop at Walmart.

Best tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $64 at Walmart
$99 Save $35   Get Deal Why we like it

The AirTag is the ring leader when it comes to Bluetooth trackers. As long as there's an Apple device nearby with Find My turned on, AirTags allow you to locate whatever you attach your AirTag to with ease. Now that a newer model has arrived, you can snag a four-pack of the still-great first-generation trackers for much less.

More tech dealsBest headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Walmart
$129.99 Save $30.99   Get Deal Why we like it

It's not everyday you can score a pair of AirPods for under 100 bucks. While the basic AirPods 4 don't offer noise cancellation, they do offer personalized spatial audio, voice isolation, Siri interactions, improved sound quality, and a comfier and more snug design. Mashable's reviewer said the sound is "like honey."

More headphones and earbuds dealsBest TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch QM7K QD-Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,798 at Walmart
$2,499.99 Save $701.99   Get Deal Why we like it

According to our pals at ZDNET (also owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis), "This QD Mini-LED display delivers stunning brightness and impressive contrast on par with OLED TVs at a far more accessible price." It combines QLED and OLED technologies to deliver a picture that's rich, deep, and bright in any circumstance. It also features a 144Hz refresh rate, Game Accelerator 288, Dolby Atmos Audio elevated by Bang & Olufsen speakers, and AIPQ Processor PRO. All in all, the 85-inch model is an excellent value for under $1,800.

More TV dealsBest home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V9 Motorbar Cordless Vacuum $299.99 at Walmart
$599.99 Save $300   Get Deal Why we like it

Dyson isn't exactly known for its affordability, but this $300 discount on the V9 Motorbar cordless vacuum makes luxury more accessible. It features a trademark Motorbar head, which glides across all floor types, as well as a hair screw tool that can detangle pet hair as it sucks it up. And of course, in true Dyson form, it can convert to a handheld device instantly.

More home and kitchen deals

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