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At times, Kevin Roose writes, it feels like he is watching policymakers on horseback trying to install seatbelts on a passing Lamborghini.

But many attendees at a summit in Paris worry that the risks of A.I. will be overlooked as the continent rushes to keep up with the United States and China.

Meta is joining other tech industry giants slimming down their workforces, as it begins a massive round of job cuts that reflect a priority shift towards AI.

In an internal memo sent to employees today (Feb. 10), Meta announced it would begin notifying "low performing" employees singled out for lay offs based on manager reviews and attrition rates of the previous year. The layoffs will affect almost 4,000 Meta workers across the United States, Europe, and Asia — U.S. employees are expected to be hit first.

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg doubles down on Meta's submission to Trump

In January, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said the company was planning to lay off more than 5 percent of its workforce based on an anticipated "intense year" for the tech giant, according to a leaked Workplace memo. The leader previously explained that Meta is doubling down on its "year of efficiency" and has been reorganizing the company's divisions to free up resources for its AI and AGI push. According to other internal documents, Meta is fast-tracking hiring for machine learning engineers and recently transferred some of the company's leadership to its generative AI group.

"Mark is creating fear. He's creating a culture where you have to be loyal to him or else," an anonymous Meta worker told Business Insider. "Self-censorship is rampant. At a company supposedly dedicated to connecting people, the human side of our work is disappearing, and everyone is acting more robotic."

Zuckerberg was recently spotted exiting the White House following his public support for President Donald Trump. A few weeks before Trump took office, Meta announced it was axing its in-house DEI policies and changing its Hateful Conduct policy.

Android 16 could soon get a feature that would be a lifesaver for frequent travelers: an alert for time zone changes. 

If you've ever traveled across a time zone change, you know it can be confusing if you're not paying attention. Your phone will automatically shift into the new time zone, whether you're paying attention or not. A new potential feature from Android 16 would send users an alert to alleviate that confusion.

Android Authority spotted a potential new feature in the beta for Android 16. It wrote that in Settings > System > Date & Time, there is a new "time zone change" feature that will let users "receive a notification when their time zone is automatically updated."

SEE ALSO: Android 16 public beta arrives: 3 new features, how to try it now

As of this writing, the new feature appears to be available only to folks running the Android 16 beta, but it could very well be a part of the final operating system that rolls out to users.

It's a small change, but one that could be pretty helpful for travelers. Changing time zones during a drive, in particular, can be a bit disorienting. With this potential new feature, you might never have to worry about that again.

SAVE UP TO $900: The Purple Presidents' Day sale takes up to $900 off mattress and base bundles, up to 30% off bedding, and 20% off Purple pillows.

Best Purple Presidents' Day Sale deals Best mattress deal Purple Mattress $1299 (save $200) Get Deal Best Purple bedding deal Purple SoftStretch Sheet Set $183 (save $46) Get Deal Best Purple pillow deal Harmony Anywhere Travel Bundle $150 (save $53) Get Deal

Sleep is one of life's essentials. If you've ever gone through a period in life where sleep was hard to come by, you understand the impact poor sleep has on memory, cognition, mood, the immune system, and overall vibes.

On the other hand, if you've been getting great sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and ready for each new day, congratulations because you've unlocked one of life's most significant hacks.

A huge component of whether you're getting the best sleep of your life or slogging through each night to clock just five hours of rest is your mattress and bedding setup. You deserve something comfortable and supportive, from the mattress itself to your sheets and pillows.

Thankfully, one of the leading mattress companies is offering some great discounts during Presidents' Day. Purple has taken up to $900 off mattress and base bundles while also offering discounts on sheet sets and pillows. If you're in need of a bedroom refresh, check out some of our favorite deals at Purple during Presidents' Day.

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple Mattress (queen) $1,299.00 at Purple
$1,499.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Mattresses vary significantly in materials and construction and the Purple Mattress is unique in the use of the brand's GelFlex Grid. This upper comfort layer is a hyper-elastic polymer material that aims to offer great pressure relief with excellent cooling. This makes the Purple Mattress great for anyone who's looking for a comfortable night's rest without overheating.

It's also great when it come to motion isolation which is something sleepers should look for if they're easily awaken by a partner's movements of if the dog tends to jump up on the bed at 3 a.m. The material is also hypoallergenic which is great for those who deal with allergies.

In a queen size, the Purple Mattress usually costs $1,499 but the Presidents' Day Sale brings it down to $1,299. You also get a 100-night sleep trial to test out the mattress at home.

Best bedding deal Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple SoftStretch Sheet Set (queen) $183.00 at Purple
$229.00 Save $46.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A good mattress deserves to be dressed in nice sheets, and you deserve to sleep well in cozy bedding. The queen-size Purple SoftStretch Sheet Set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it's on sale for $183 at part of the Purple Presidents' Day sale, down from the normal price of $229.

Purple makes these soft sheets with a bamboo-blend fabric that feels silky and smooth, draping over the body. The material is also nice for hot sleepers since it's both moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating. The StretchSecure elastic band on the fitted sheet helps it stay snugly in place over your mattress.

Best pillow deal Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Harmony Anywhere Travel Bundle $150.00 at Purple
$203.00 Save $53.00 Get Deal Why we like it

There's nothing worse that getting bad sleep on vacation. While some hotels are genuinely a dream come true when it comes to mattress and bedding comfort, others could use some serious help. Instead of playing roulette with sleep while traveling, grab the Purple Harmony Anywhere Travel Bundle. It includes the Purple Harmony Travel Pillow, Purple SoftStretch Pillowcase, and the Harmony Anywhere Travel Case. Together, the bundle is discounted to $150 instead of the typical price of $203.

The Harmony Anywhere Pillow is a smaller version of the brand's Harmony Pillow and both use the brand's signature GelFlex Grid for ultimate cooling and pressure relief. The core of the pillow is made with ventilated latex for even more comfort.

Not only is the pillow great for planes, it's great for when your Airbnb only has pillows that feel worthy of getting tossed out.

More Purple Presidents' Day deals:

• Purple Mattress Protector — $79 $99 (save $20)

• Purple Harmony Pillow — $179 $199 (save $20)

• Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress (queen) — $2,099 $2,399 (save $300)

• Purple Rejuvenate Mattress (queen) — $4,995 $5,495 (save $500)

T-Mobile's Starlink satellite messaging service is free for everyone to try — even AT&T and Verizon customers.

During the Super Bowl on Sunday, T-Mobile announced the public beta launch of its direct-to-cell program with Starlink. Customers can sign up, free of charge, until it moves out of beta in July. And you don't have to be a T-Mobile subscriber to try it out.

SEE ALSO: FCC approves T-Mobile's Starlink cell coverage plans

"When your service is amazing and different, you want as many people to try it as possible," reads the announcement. "T-Mobile is giving AT&T and Verizon customers the opportunity to try out T-Mobile Starlink satellite service on their existing phones."

When T-Mobile Starlink is released from beta, it will be included in the Go5G plan at no extra charge. T-Mobile customers on other plans can opt for the Starlink add-on for $15 a month per line. AT&T and Verizon customers can also add T-Mobile Starlink's satellite text messaging for $20 a month per line. All they need is a compatible smartphone.

While anyone with a compatible phone can sign up for T-Mobile Starlink, this does not mean it's automatically "installed" on iPhones, contrary to a rumor on TikTok. There's no direct partnership between Apple and Starlink, and Elon Musk, who owns Starlink, cannot access iPhone user data. 

All this means is that the iPhones have the Starlink connectivity option through T-Mobile since the iPhone has 1900MHz (band 25) spectrum support. This is not automatically included as part of the iPhone's iOS 18.3 update; users must opt to add Starlink coverage as part of their plan.

For the record, Apple has had satellite messaging support since the iPhone 14 via its Globalstar partnership. You can opt out of any satellite messaging by going to Settings > Cellular > your carrier > then turn off Satellite.

PRESIDENTS' DAY DEALS: Presidents' Day 2025 will be on February 17th, but the deals have already gone on parade with savings on great tech like the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9) Laptop. Here are some of the top deals in 2025.

The best Presidents' Day deals at Best Buy Best TV deal Toshiba 55-inch C350 Series UHD TV $199.99 (Save $170) Get Deal Best laptop deal Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9) 16GB RAM 512GB SSD $599.99 (Save $300) Get Deal Best home deal Dyson V15 Detect Extra Cordless Vacuum $599.99 (Save $200) Get Deal Best headphone deal Beats Studio Pro $179.99 (Save $170) Get Deal Best soundbar and speaker deal JBL 5.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer $259.99 (Save $340) Get Deal

Celebrate the Presidents you say? Naw... Presidents' Day is about shopping deals. It's the first major shopping holiday of the year and if you're looking to restock with new tech, then it's an indispensable opportunity.

At Best Buy, Presidents' Day deals are already live, well before the holiday officially kicks off. If you're looking for a new laptop, a Toshiba TV for spring Netflix releases, a vacuum, or a new JBL soundbar, the Best Buy Presidents' Day sale is not to be missed.

Here are the standout deals of the Best Buy Presidents' Day sale of 2025:

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 55-inch C350 Series UHD TV $199.99 at Best Buy
$369.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This already budget-priced TV just got a price scoop of 46% off. With 4K UHD resolution and a sizable 55-inch frame of, the Toshiba 55-inch C350 Series UHD TV delivers specs that would have cost an arm and a leg a few years ago.

With direct lit LEDs and a 60Hz refresh rate, this Toshiba isn't just good for streaming, it will also keep up with modern game systems and look good while doing it. If you're after a new TV and want quality without a huge splurge, this is a good pick, especially while its 46% off for Presidents' Day.

More TV deals

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED TV — $1,299.99 $1,999.99 (save $700)

• Samsung 75-inch DU6950 Series Crystal UHD TV — $529.99 $749.99 (save $220)

• LG 48" B4 Series OLED TV — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• LG 43” UT70 Series UHD TV — $219.99 $399.99 (save $180)

  SEE ALSO: Presidents Day mattress sales are here. These are the best brands to shop.

Best laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9) 16GB RAM 512GB SSD $599.99 at Best Buy
$899.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal Why we like it

One of our top budget-priced laptops out there is currently available as part of Best Buy's Presidents' Day Sale, and how. Currently, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9) is on sale for $599.99 for a savings of $300 off or 34% off.

There's a lot to like about the Lenovo Yoga. Built with 16GB of memory, and an Intel Core Ultra 5 125U, this humdinger of a device packs some real processing potential. It's got 512GB of storage — more than enough for a small library of content.

All-day battery life is a boon for those who actually take their laptop out and about. With a snappy keyboard to boot, this is a great productivity laptop at a very reasonable price.

More laptop deals

• Apple MacBook Air M3 chip 16GB RAM 256GB SSD — $899.00 $1099.00 (save $200)

• HP Touch-Screen Laptop Intel Core i3 8GB Memory 256GB RAM SSD — $279.99 $499.99 (save $220)

• Microsoft Surface Snapdragon X Plus 10 Core 16GB RAM 256GB SSD — $899.99 $999.99 (save $100)

Best home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V15 Detect Extra Cordless Vacuum $599.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

With spring cleaning time on the horizon, Presidents' Day is a great time to invest in a new cordless vacuum. When you need a new lease on home cleanliness, the Dyson V15 Detect Extra Cordless Vacuum is a great choice.

With ten accessories, this cordless vacuum is an advanced system that detects while you push, reaching under furniture and exerting the proper suction to handle different soil levels. It also illuminates, so you can see where you need to suction.

Right now the Dyson V15 Detect Extra Cordless Vacuum is on sale for $599.99 for a savings of $200, or 25% off.

More home deals

• iRobot Roomba j9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum — $499.99 $899.99 (save $400)

• Shark PowerDetect Self-Empty Robot Vacuum — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $179.99 at Best Buy
$349.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We gave the Beats Studio Pro headphones a strong 4.5 out of 5. With impeccable sound, great battery life, and near equivalence in how well they work with both Apple and Android, these headphones are a wonderful buy.

Right now, Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones are on sale for $179.99 at Best Buy's Presidents' Day Sale, for a savings of $170 — near 50% off.

More headphone deals

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $349.00 $429.00 (save $80)

Best soundbar and speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL 5.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer $259.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $340.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Presidents' Day is a great time to innovate your home's sound. The JBL 5.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer is a powerful soundbar system with five speakers and a wireless bass subwoofer. Its speaker array includes five full-range drivers as well as two 1-1/4" tweeters.

Built to augment your TV, a JBL soundbar will also connect in other ways and provide excellent playback for music streaming, podcasts, and more. Connect it to your TV via HDMI, optical, or USB and access it from your smartphone or other home devices using Bluetooth.

Right now the JBL 5.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer is on sale for $259.99 for a savings of $340. Don't miss this opportunity to get it for 57% off.

More soundbar and speaker deals

• JBL Xtreme3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $259.99 $329.99 (save $70)

• LG 5.1.1 Channel S70TR Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer and Rear Speakers — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

• Sonos Arc 5.0.2 Channel Smart Soundbar with Dolby Atmos — $749.00 $899.99 (save $150.99)

SAVE $700: As of Feb. 10, you can get the NordicTrack T Series treadmill for just $599 at Amazon. That's a 54% discount and a $700 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: NordicTrack NordicTrack T Series treadmill $599.00 at Amazon
$1,299.00 Save $700.00 Get Deal

Presidents’ Day isn’t until next week, but Amazon’s already cutting prices on everything from tech to fitness equipment, and one of the best deals we've spotted so far is on the NordicTrack T Series treadmill, which is currently 54% off its regular price.

As of Feb. 10, you can get the NordicTrack T Series 10 treadmill for just $599 — that’s $700 off the sticker price and a solid deal for a treadmill with 34K reviews and a 4.3-star average rating on Amazon.

This treadmill has a large 10-inch display so you can stream live and on-demand workouts, connect with the iFit app, and access a library of over 17,000 studio classes and scenic runs. (The iFit membership is sold separately.) The SmartAdjust feature adapts to your fitness level and auto-adjusts the intensity during your workout. And thanks to its syncing option, you can access your fitness data and stats right on your connected device (Google Fit, STRAVA, Apple Health, etc.).

PlayStation Network went down at the worst possible time for gamers this past weekend.

Around 9 p.m. ET on Friday night, PlayStation users found themselves unable to connect to PSN. The network was down for a still unspecified outage, meaning users could not connect to play online games. In addition, users were unable to buy some digitally purchased games that require an online connection.

If you're a paying member of the PlayStation Plus premium subscription and had your weekend gaming plans interrupted, things aren't all bad. PlayStation has announced that they will make it up to you.

"All PlayStation Plus members will automatically receive an additional 5 days of service," reads a post on X from the official PlayStation support account @AskPlayStation.

Tweet may have been deleted

Five free days of service isn't a bad trade for an issue that lasted around half a day.

PlayStation Network downtime was a big topic of conversation across the internet over the weekend. Although a complete network outage resulting in downtime is not unheard of, these issues are usually fixed quickly. That's why gamers were surprised to wake up on Saturday morning and find that PlayStation Network was still down.

In fact, the first reports about PSN being back up didn't start to trickle in until Saturday afternoon, roughly 15 hours later.

"Network services have fully recovered from an operational issue," PlayStation's support account posted on Sunday. "We apologize for the inconvenience and thank the community for their patience."

Amazon's early Presidents' Day deals: Best Kindle deal Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 (save $25 ) Get Deal Best Echo deal Amazon Echo Show 5 $69.99 (save $20 ) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $199.99 (save $100 ) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 85-inch Q65 Mini LED ULED 4K TV $798 (save $499.99) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169 (save $80) Get Deal

We may be well past Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but that doesn't mean the deals have dried up. Amazon’s annual Presidents’ Day sale is already underway, and we’re finding discounts across a wide range of product categories, from tech and home goods to apparel and beauty.

Here’s everything you need to know about Amazon’s Presidents’ Day sale, including the top deals you'll want to jump on before they're gone.

When is Amazon's Presidents' Day sale?

Presidents’ Day isn’t until Monday, Feb. 17, but Amazon’s dropping deals well in advance of the holiday.

When does Amazon’s Presidents’ Day sale end?

The retail giant hasn't shared an official end date for the Presidents' Day sale, but we’re expecting it to last through the three-day weekend, with some deals potentially extending a little longer.

What are the best deals in Amazon's Presidents' Day sale?

The best deals we’ve seen include price cuts on Amazon devices (like the Echo Show 5), earbuds and headphones (including the Apple AirPods Pro 2), smart home gadgets, robot vacuums, beauty tech, and more. We're also seeing solid discounts on everything from kitchen appliances and tools to apparel, outdoor gear, and home goods.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best deals we've spotted in Amazon's Presidents' Day sale so far.

Best Presidents' Day Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) $134.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal Why we like it

You can get the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) for $134.99 — that’s $25 off the sticker price and just $5 more than its all-time low price. The Paperwhite is a Mashable Choice Award winner and one of the best e-readers you can buy.

“The Kindle Paperwhite is not just the best Kindle but the best e-reader overall,” writes Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino. “It's compact and lightweight, just the right size for toting around. The screen strikes the balance of tech and paper, and the adjustable warmth makes reading in the evening better for your eyes.”

Read our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite.

Best Presidents' Day Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 5 $69.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Echo Show 5 is 22% off at Amazon right now, bringing the price down to just $69.99. That’s not bad for a smart display with more than 42K reviews and a 4.4 average star rating.

The Echo Show 5 has a 5.5-inch display, a built-in camera, and the full suite of Alexa voice assistant capabilities. You can listen to music, video call friends and family, check your security cameras, and more — all hands-free.

Best Presidents' Day robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’ve been looking for a robot vacuum and mop combo that can handle hard floors and carpet without costing you a month’s rent, the Roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo is definitely worth considering.

This robot vac-mop combo is currently on sale for just $199.99 — that’s right, a robot vacuum that also mops for under $200. (This is also its Black Friday 2024 price, which beats its Prime Day price.) The MSRP for the black model is $599.99 (though Amazon has the sticker price for the white model at $299.99). Whether you’re saving $400 or $100, that's some serious bang for your buck.

Best Presidents' Day TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch Q65 Mini LED ULED 4K TV $798.00 at Amazon
$1,297.99 Save $499.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Superbowl may be over, but you can still score a great deal on a 4K TV as part of Amazon's Presidents' Day sale.

Amazon’s letting the TCL 85-inch Q65 Mini LED ULED 4K TV go for just $798, down from $1,297.99. This is another Black Friday-level price and just a few cents more than its record-low in December 2024.

Best Presidents' Day Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you need a new pair of headphones and you’re an Apple stan, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $169.99 at Amazon. This isn’t the lowest price we've ever seen (that was during the holidays), but it's still a solid discount ($80 off) on a high-end pair of noise-canceling earbuds.

“The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are a great pair of wireless earbuds,” writes Senior Editor Stan Schroeder. “They sound wonderful and have almost uncanny active noise cancelation. Apple also upgraded them in myriad little ways, though you probably won't notice some of them. For a first-time buyer who can afford the $250 price tag, they're a no-brainer.”

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 2.

Picture this: you’re dating someone new, and, not for nothing, you’re excited about them. They do things like chat to you all the time, texting and checking in with how your day is going. They take you on thoughtfully planned dates, talk about introducing you to their friends, kiss your forehead after sex, and cuddle you all night — in short, they’re waving lots of green flags and you think there’s a real future here.

But then you blink and suddenly, even though this person put so much of their time and emotional energy into signposting at every turn that they were serious about you, and never once saying they just wanted to keep things casual, they drop you without so much as an "it's not you, it’s me."

This is what I’ve dubbed the Relationship Experience. I’ve seen it play out time and time again, and it’s liable to make even the most sure-footed singleton stumble. 

With a name borrowed from the niche of sex work commonly referred to as 'the Girlfriend Experience,' a Relationship Experience is about enjoying the perks of having a partner for a little while without any actual commitment.

In a way, it’s a tale as old as time. How many times have you, dear reader, felt like you’ve been led down the garden path by someone who was giving off all the signs of wanting something serious with you, only to be unceremoniously ditched without any explanation?

Not quite a situationship, not quite love bombing

A situationship, for instance, is an umbrella term that can define all manner of casual dating scenarios like this one, but not all of them have to be bad. Meanwhile, ghosting can be at play in how they end things with you, but there are plenty of other insensitive ways someone can call time on a Relationship Experience.

As for love bombing, that behaviour is done with seriously nefarious intent, often by narcissists. It’s a means of controlling you later down the line. By drowning you in how good their overabundance of ‘love’ feels early on, their affection becomes the carrot they dangle to get you to do what they want, while their emotional distance and/or cruelty become the stick.

SEE ALSO: How does orientation affect the dating app experience?

Yes, it’s possible to date a person with the best of long-term intentions only to change your mind about wanting to commit to them. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes, and it’s nobody’s fault. 

But the crux of the Relationship Experience is that one party may very well never have intended to commit in the first place. Meanwhile, all the green flags a Relationship Experience-seeker waves can trip up even the most seasoned singleton. This is what makes it so nefarious. 

And when they take their leave of you, they do so noncommittal-y rather than sensitively ending things.

Hurt people hurting people

But all this still raises the question: why do they put so much time and energy into romancing you, even though they have zero plans to take the ‘relationship’ further? 

Dr. Wendy Walsh, a relationship expert and psychology professor, thinks the answer is simple. "An unspoken rule has been observed by evolutionary psychologists around the world; the easiest way to obtain a short-term relationship is by pretending to want a long-term relationship."

"An unspoken rule has been observed by evolutionary psychologists around the world; the easiest way to obtain a short-term relationship is by pretending to want a long-term relationship."

However, psychotherapist Dr. Gisele Caseiras, of Likeminds psychotherapy, wonders if the whole thing isn’t more to do with fear and self-sabotage. She explains that the seeker of a Relationship Experience may well be conflicted about having a genuinely close and committed relationship. "While they seem to desire intimacy, crave connection, and pursue it intensely," she adds, "their underlying fear of intimacy leads them to sabotage the relationship."

And why not be upfront about their feelings? Again, the answer may stem from fear — of rejection and of intimacy — combined with a desire to protect themselves.

Caseiras says: "They may worry that opening up will make them seem unattractive or uninteresting. To avoid feeling rejected, they might show a lot of affection early on, fostering a sense of dependency in their partners."

"This strategy enables them to end the relationship on their terms before facing rejection, often leaving their partner confused and overwhelmed. By not explicitly stating their intentions, individuals might try to avoid becoming emotionally involved and maintain a sense of power."

Thus they can more easily leave the whole situation in the dust if they feel like things are getting "too intense" on either side. 

Even if they’re actively seeking out a connection, they could still fear that intimacy deep down. "By keeping things ambiguous," Caseiras adds, "they can avoid getting too close and risking the emotional pain that inevitably comes with rejection or vulnerability."

This fear can stem from previous love life traumas the Relationship Experience-seeker went through. "Sometimes," Dr. Caseiras says, "people can reenact past experiences, repeating unconscious patterns of behaviour."

"As painful as heartbreak can be, it often teaches us a lot about ourselves."

Ultimately, if you’ve been hurt by someone who was only looking for the Relationship Experience, it’s largely not your business to fully understand why. Or, heaven forbid, try to fix them. Instead, it’s a lot wiser to focus on yourself.

Walsh, whose PhD is in clinical psychology and who works closely with DatingAdvice, suggests: "Use the experience as research on human behavior. Learn from it without beating yourself up for not seeing the red flags."

Caseiras agrees, suggesting you reflect, process, and note what you’ve learned from the whole thing.

"It would be natural to feel rejected but also confused, angry, and frustrated at being misled," she says. "Allow yourself time to reflect on those painful feelings. Explore your experience with a trusted friend — we often make better sense of experiences when we begin to think and put them into a context that others might understand. Those important conversations might help you not only to process your feelings but also lead you to some ‘aha’ moments."

You might also want to think about what exactly drew you to this Relationship Experience-seeker in the first place. "As painful as heartbreak can be," Caseiras says, "it often teaches us a lot about ourselves and what we are looking for in a relationship. Be curious about what kind of partner you are attracted to and whether that pattern is healthy for you. Keep that in mind when you feel ready to start dating again."

SEE ALSO: 10 free dating apps worth trying in 2025

As for new red flags to take away, you should watch out for things like a lack of truly deep conversations and a focus on physical attraction.

As Caseiras explains: “While chemistry and physical attraction are important, if the focus of the relationship seems solely on physical intimacy without any deeper connection, it could be a warning sign. You can tell if the person is interested in you by noticing if they are curious about you, your hobbies, and your interests. They might want to know about your views of the world and your goals. If the conversation is superficial and lacks depth, it could be a sign that the person is not interested in getting to know you on a deeper level.”

Emotional intensity early doors is another thing to be wary of, because, as the good doctor Caseiras says: “While feeling passionate is good, showing strong emotions and declaring love too soon can be a warning sign. If someone makes big gestures, wants constant contact, or makes big promises early on, it can leave you feeling vulnerable and dependent.”

And remember, cliché though it may be, actions speak louder than words. If someone consistently backs up what they say by making an effort to spend quality time with you and is there for you emotionally as well as physically, those are pretty big green flags.

SAVE HUNDREDS ON A NEW MATTRESS: Presidents' Day sales offer some of the best savings of the year when it comes to buying a new mattress. Check out our top picks below.

Best Presidents' Day mattress deals 2025 Best mattress deal overall Purple Mattress $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal Best organic mattress deal Avocado Green Mattress $1,699 (save $300) Get Deal Best budget-friendly mattress deal Bear Original $649 (save $349) Get Deal

Presidents' Day sales are here, offering awesome discounts on electronics, housewares, and something incredibly important to our wellbeing — mattresses. Presidents' Day sales in the mattress world tend to be some of the lowest prices available all year, which means this is an opportune time to upgrade.

While mattresses tend to incite an initial sticker shock reaction, they're important to our overall health. Our sleep quality impacts mood, cognition, the immune system, muscle recovery, and so much more. A good mattress offers comfort to lull you into a good night's rest while giving support to keep the spine and neck in proper ergonomic alignment.

You'll want to shop for a mattress that strikes this ideal balance between comfort and support. Since every sleeper has different preferences and ideal sleeping positions, choose a mattress that's designed for your particulars.

For example, side sleepers tend to sleep best with a mattress that offers a high amount of pressure-relief, supporting the hips and shoulders with no pain. Stomach sleepers might want something firmer to make sure the hips don't sink below the rest of the body.

If you tend to wake up with pains that weren't there when you went to bed or you can't remember the last time you slept on a new mattress, it's likely time for an upgrade. Shop these Presidents' Day mattress deals to score a big savings in price while ensuring you get restorative sleep each night.

Best mattress deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple Mattress (queen) $1,299.00 at Purple
$1,499.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Purple Mattress is unique in its use of the brand's GelFlex Grid. This two-inch layer is made with a hyper-elastic polymer that contours to the body. Boiled down, the material is great for relieving pressure and adding comfort. Since it's not a traditional foam material, it's also great for hot sleepers since its design allows for better airflow and it resists holding in heat.

Overall, the Purple Mattress has a medium-firm feel and includes a layer of the GelFlex Grid and two foam layers, in addition to a breathable cover. Plus, Purple offers a 100 night sleep trial, so you can sleep on the mattress in the comfort of your own bedroom for over three months to make sure it's the right bed for your sleep preferences.

Best organic mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Avocado Avocado Green Mattress (queen) $1,699.00 at Avocado
$1,999.00 Save $300.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Avocado Green Mattress focuses on organic materials, and the brand carries the certifications you'd want to see when paying that premium. The Avocado Green Mattress uses organic wool, cotton, and latex to construct the bed, in addition to supportive steel coils. In addition to the benefits of organic materials, latex is considered one of the most durable and long-lasting mattress materials.

The Avocado Green Mattress is a great option for anyone looking for a cooling and breathable mattress, since the coils naturally allow for heat to escape from the mattress. The standard version of the Avocado Green has a firmer feel, which is nice for back and stomach sleepers. But those who like a more cushioned feel or side sleepers can upgrade to the Medium version which introduces a pillow top or go with the Plush option.

Best budget-friendly mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bear Bear Original Mattress (queen) $649.00 at Bear
$998.00 Save $349.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Great sleep doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. If you're in a need of a new mattress that costs under $1,000, the Bear Original mattress in a queen size is on sale for just $649 during the brand's Presidents Day sale. The sale price also includes two free pillows for a whole bedroom refresh.

The all-foam Bear Original used three layers of foam support, with several layers focusing on breathability. The foam layers are designed to support to body while offering ergonomic alignment, making it less likely you'll wake up with neck, back, or hip pain. Bear considers the Bear Original to come with a medium-firm feel and it measures 10-inches in height.

More Presidents' Day mattress sales worth shopping:

• Amerisleep — save $500 on any mattress

• Big Fig — save $500 on any mattress with code PRES

• Birch — save 25% sitewide with code PRES25

• Brooklyn Bedding — save 30% sitewide wide with code PRESDAY30

• Casper — take up to 35% off sitewide

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

• Leesa — take 25% off mattress plus get two free pillows

• Naturepedic — take 20% off organic mattresses and bedding sitewide

• Nectar — save up to 50% on mattresses

• Nolah — take 35% off sitewide plus get two free pillows

• Tuft & Needle — save 20% on all mattresses

• WinkBeds — take $300 off mattresses

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Feb. 10: OUR TOP PICK Kindle Paperwhite Kids $139.99 (save $40) Get Deal BEST SMARTHOME DEAL Amazon Echo Show 5 $69.99 (save $20) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Bose QuietComfort headphones $249 (save $100) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Amazon Echo Buds $34.99 (save $15) Get Deal

Another week, another slew of deals at Amazon. We've rounded up the best discounts we could find today amongst the lengthy list of President's Day deals at the mega retailer. From Kindle to Bose, some of our favorite gadgets are down to impressive lows.

Here are our picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Feb. 10. If these aren't sparking your interest, stay tuned this week as we select new deals each day.

Our top pick: Kindle Paperwhite Kids Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Paperwhite Kids $139.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

The Paperwhite Kids is a heftier kids version of the standard Kindle Paperwhite, weighing in at 11.6 ounces compared to the adult version's 7.4 ounces. That means it's sturdier and can withstand most things a kid throws at it. It comes with built-in parental controls so you can monitor the content your kiddo is consuming. Plus, it comes with six free months of Amazon kids+, which is packed with tons of age-appropriate books. As of Feb. 10, you can snag it on sale for just $139.99 instead of the usual $179.99. That's a savings of 22% and matches its best price ever from Black Friday.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 5 $69.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

The third-generation Echo Show 5 upgraded its speaker system with double the bass, more clarity for calls, music, audiobooks, podcasts, video content, and more. Not to mention, its reengineered microphone array makes for better Alexa responsiveness and its AZ2 Neural Edge processor makes for a speedier experience overall. While the display is small at 5.5 inches, it's a great fit for a nightstand or desktop. Usually $89.99, it's on sale for just $69.99. That's 22% off.

Bose QuietComfort Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort $249.00 at Amazon
$349.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

The Bose QuietComfort headphones check all the right boxes: top-notch noise cancellation, rich audio, comfortable fit, and affordable price tag. They're not quite as impressive as their more expensive sibling, the QuietComfort Ultras, but our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) say "they absolutely won't disappoint if you want to save a bit of money." They come in seven different color options, each of which are on sale for just $249. That's 29% off the usual cost.

Amazon Echo Buds Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

Amazon's budget-friendly Echo Buds from 2023 completely revamped the design from the previous version. While they're pretty simple earbuds, they'll still get the job done. They don't offer noise cancellation or the most comfortable fit, but they sound great, last for up to 20 hours, and seamlessly pair with your other Alexa gadgets. Mashable's reviewer SaVanna Shoemaker put it simply: "For the price, the Echo Buds are a solid pair of wireless earbuds." As of Feb. 10, you can pick up a pair for only $34.99. That's 30% in savings.

Check out our full review of the Amazon Echo Buds.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

TL;DR: Learning doesn't end. Spend your life learning new skills in IT, marketing, business management, and more with lifetime access to the full 1,000+ course catalog on StackSkills Unlimited, just A$32. 

When you're in school, learning sort of happens at you. There are teachers and homework and tests, but when you're an adult, those aren't quite as common. Taking the initiative to learn something new can be tough, but there are plenty of courses out there to help. Plus, they might even help elevate your career. 

Whether you're an IT professional, a graphic designer, a business owner, or a hobby collector, StackSkills Unlimited has something for you to learn. This expansive learning platform is home to over 1,000 courses across fields as varied as IT, finance, and marketing, and it's only A$32 to unlock them all. 

Is StackSkills worth it?

Judging whether or not access to a learning platform is worth it is tough. If you want to expand your skillset professionally or personally, there's certainly quite a lot to learn here. You can check the catalog before buying to see if there's a few you're interested in, but it's unlikely anyone would want to finish every course. 

StackSkills isn't just about professional courses. You can check out guitar lessons, courses about different types of art, and more. If learning is your hobby, you have quite a lot to work with, and there's no rush to get through it all. If you leave a course and want to come back, you can track your progress from your account page. 

Lifelong learners, look out

Whether you want to practice a new skill to show off at work or finally figure out how to play piano, StackSkills has a course for you. 

Get Lifetime Access to StackSkills Unlimited on sale for A$32. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackSkills EDU Unlimited by StackSkills: Lifetime Access A$32.00
A$962.00 Save A$930.00 Get Deal

The first beta of Apple's new iOS 18.4 is coming very soon, and it will include a much improved, smarter voice assistant Siri.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who claims that the first iOS 18.4 beta is coming in a matter of days; more precisely, "sometime between the middle of this week and the next one."

SEE ALSO: Apple's new iPhone SE is coming very soon, report claims

It's a very important update for iPhone owners as it should finally include the long-promised changes to Siri. This will include the ability for Apple's digital assistant to tap into your personal data to provide better answer to your queries. In its promotional materials, Apple says that Siri will also have richer language understanding, more natural communication, and the "ability to take action in and across apps."

Gurman does say that this will not put Siri on the same level as the most advanced voice assistants out there, though integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT should help with that regard. It is, however, an important update for Apple, which unveiled a suite of Apple Intelligence features last June, but still hasn't gotten to launching them all yet.

A public version of iOS 18.4 is due in April, says Gurman.

In his latest newsletter, Gurman also mentioned that Apple is ramping up efforts to create a tabletop robot, which could hit the market in 2027.

Gurman also reiterated his previous prediction that Apple will launch a new, revamped iPhone SE this week, likely accompanied with Apple's new PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds.

Clean Slate's Laverne Cox and George Wallace describe their experiences working on the show, what the show hopefully means for the LGBTQ+ community, and which music icons they would invite to the Last Supper of Soul.

Clean Slate premieres on Prime Video on Feb. 6.

The Dimension 20 cast (Brennan Lee Mulligan, Ally Beardsley, Lou Wilson, Siobhan Thompson, and Zac Oyama) stopped by the Mashable studios to give out show superlatives to their most beloved campaigns, like the funniest campaign, the campaign they would most like to revisit, and the best campaign for beginners.

Dimension 20 is now streaming on Dropout. Gauntlet at the Garden will stream on Dropout at a later date.

SAVE $70: As of Feb. 10, the Bose Ultra Open-Ear earbuds are on sale for $229 in Best Buy's Presidents' Day sale. This is $70 off their list price of $299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open-Ear Earbuds $229.00 at Best Buy
$299.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Best Buy is starting February off strong with its Presidents' Day sale. This event features an excellent variety of deals on everything from appliances to tech that are worth checking out. In particular, if you've been looking to upgrade your headphones or earbuds, there are quite a few offers to look through, including this discount on the Bose Ultra open-ear earbuds.

These earbuds have dropped from their list price of $299 to $229, allowing you to pocket $70. On top of that, your purchase also comes with YouTube Premium free for three months, so you can give them a test run on a variety of videos and music. This deal will not stick around for long though, as this sale event comes to an end on Feb. 17. So if they've caught your eye, act fast to grab them at this price.

SEE ALSO: 30 Valentine's Day gifts for all the sweethearts in your life

Unlike most earbuds, these have a open design that allows sound to pass through, ensuring that you are more aware of your surroundings rather than tuned out through noise-cancelation. That doesn't mean they don't have high-quality sound, though. In our review, writer RJ Andersen says that these earbuds, "have a unique design that prioritizes awareness over noise cancellation. Though we were skeptical at first, these buds are extremely comfortable and score top marks for battery life, spatial audio, and sound quality."

As we mentioned earlier, this deal may not stick around for very long, so act fast to save $70 on the Bose Ultra Open-Ear Earbuds today at Best Buy.

If you'd rather see what's going on in the world of headphone deals, there are quite a few worth checking out at Best Buy and over at Amazon. Best Buy's also offering an excellent discount on the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) and Amazon has deals on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones and the Beats Solo 4.

Robert De Niro has been nominated for multiple Oscars and won twice, so who better to give advice to Anora star Mikey Madison, who is nominated this year for Best Lead Actress?

When the two appeared on The Graham Norton Show recently, the host was quick to see what gems of wisdom might be offered.

"So looking back, are there things you wish you'd known about going to the Oscars, or being involved in the Oscars, that you could share with Mikey Madison?" Norton asks.

De Niro's blunt, albeit cheerful, response? "No."

Undeterred, Norton follows up with a "speech or no speech?" question.

"Well, you know if you prepare one, if you prepare it you're probably definitely not gonna win," comes the reply.

Fortunately, he does then end on a more optimistic note. "But I would just say that the one thing is, if you're nominated, you've already won."

See the full list of 2025 Oscars nominees on Mashable.

SAVE $70: As of Feb. 10, the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) headphones are on sale for $479.99 in Best Buy's President's Day sale. This is $70 off their list price of $549.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 at Best Buy
$549.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for some great deals on Apple devices, it's worth having a look through Best Buy's Presidents' Day sale. For a limited time, until Feb. 17, the retailer is offering quite a few discounts on Apple products, including the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C). These have gotten a $70 price drop, which is worth jumping on if you've been looking to upgrade your headphones.

This has brought the price of the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) headphones down to $479.99 from their $549.99 list price. As a bonus, you also get three months of Apple Fitness+ for free and up to three months of Apple Music for free with your purchase. What better way to start using these new headphones?

SEE ALSO: 30 Valentine's Day gifts for all the sweethearts in your life

And these headphones are sure to be a treat for your ears. Powered by the Apple H1 chip, you'll get high-quality sound to enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks. Not to mention, these sleek headphones also have noise-canceling features that allow you to tune in or out of your surroundings while listening. In our review, writer Brenda Stolyar says that, "the AirPods Max check off almost all the boxes for what makes an excellent pair of headphones: great sound quality, ideal battery life, easy controls, and a stylish design (sans Smart Case)."

If you've had your eye on these headphones, there's no better time than now to grab the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) in Best Buy's Presidents' Day sale.

This isn't the only Apple deal worth checking out at Best Buy. Right now you can also save on the 10th Gen iPad and the 2nd Gen Apple Watch SE.