Feed aggregator

I was getting ready for a night out when I spotted a "hey girlie" text from an unknown number flash across my screen.

"I'm Danny's girlfriend and I saw some messages from you on his phone. I was wondering if you could help me?"

My eyes widened as I read the word "girlfriend." I've never opened a message faster.

SEE ALSO: Why social media algorithms hurt after a breakup

Danny (not his real name) and I had been embroiled in a sexting situationship after matching on Hinge. It was just a bit of fun during a particularly busy work period that hadn't left much time for in-person dates. But thinking about the nature of our chats, I feared what messages this poor woman had stumbled across.

I tapped the unfamiliar number and hit call, a wave of nervousness coming over me.

"I am so sorry, I had no idea he had a girlfriend," I blurted out seconds into the call.

"Don't worry, I know. You're actually one of many," his girlfriend responded in a kind tone. She told me that she and Danny were living together, about to get a mortgage together, and that she'd just discovered he'd been texting (and sexting) a web of other women, none of whom were any the wiser about the existence of his girlfriend.

When Danny accidentally synced his iPhone to his girlfriend's laptop, she unearthed scores of screenshots of my messages. I dreaded to think what his girlfriend might have seen in those screenshots.

When she texted me saying she'd confronted him about her conversation with me and that he'd reacted very badly, I decided I didn't want to give this man another opportunity to contact me. I didn't need to say anything to him. Just block and move on with my day. It was a blissful feeling.

Until then, I hadn't been much of a blocker. I'd previously considered blocking a bit harsh, but that was likely due to my inability to set boundaries (which I've thankfully overcome since then). Certain situations in life call for hard boundaries.

So, what exactly are the rules of engagement around blocking people? Are there scenarios when blocking literally is too harsh?

When their behaviour is terrible: block ✅

When someone behaves in an unacceptable or disrespectful way towards you, blocking is always OK. If you fear for your safety, block them. Abuse, harassment, and non-consensual sexual messages or images are all reasonable grounds for blocking. Trust your instincts too: If a person has exhibited behaviours that make you feel uneasy about your safety, you shouldn't feel guilty about blocking them.

SEE ALSO: How to break up with someone in the digital age No contact after a breakup: block ✅

Annabelle Knight, sex and relationship expert at Lovehoney, says blocking someone is simply a digital version of setting boundaries for yourself and that it's pretty common to hit the block button when you're getting over a breakup.

In the immediate aftermath of a breakup, some people find it helpful to go "no contact." This means no phone calls, texts, social media, emails, letters — literally no forms of contact. It means no in-person meet-ups and can also involve not contacting their friends or family, perhaps unfollowing these individuals on social media.

SEE ALSO: Social media dos and don'ts after a breakup

"While [blocking] can be seen as an extreme decision, it can help if you feel that urge to initiate contact or take a peek at their profile to see what they're up to — both of which may only prolong the healing or result in emotional hurt," says Knight. "You can block your ex for many reasons: maybe you want to close any direct lines of communication, you don't want to see their content, or you don't want them to see your content. Although many people see it as intense in a digital world, it's really no different to avoiding your ex in person," she adds.

Trying to get a reaction from them: don't block and unblock 🚫

If you feel the urge to unblock someone after blocking them, ask yourself why. Do you want attention? Did you block them to punish them and now you're rethinking it? Perhaps you want them to get in touch with you? Examine the feelings at the root of this desire and whether it's worth breaking this boundary with yourself.

Relationship counsellor Sophie Personne advises against yo-yo-ing between blocking and unblocking individuals, particularly if it's being used as a manipulation tactic. "I have known clients to keep blocking and unblocking each other every time they had an argument," says Personne. "It's counterintuitive and destructive. It is restricting communication and is manipulative and controlling as you are controlling the level of communication."

Avoiding being honest about your feelings: don't block 🚫

Having difficult conversations can be nerve-wracking, and sometimes our urge to avoid conflict can make us bury our heads in the sand. For example, if you're dating someone and want to reject them, it's not cool to block them because you're too afraid to be honest. Similarly, if you make plans to meet up and then change your mind: don't just block them and stand them up (this is a behaviour I call cloaking). Afford the person the courtesy of cancelling the plans and spare them the hassle of showing up for a date that isn't happening.

Using blocking as an ultimatum: don't block 🚫

It's not a good idea to use blocking as a threat. "Blocking also becomes the wrong route to take if you decide to use it as a way to leverage or manipulate your ex; it should never be used as an ultimatum or a threat," says Knight. "Making the decision to block someone should be made on your feelings and your own terms, rather than involving them."

In relationships, healthy communication strategies can be used to bring about positive changes. Ultimatums and threats should be avoided at all costs.

A temporary pause for healing: block ✅

If you've ended on good terms with someone but need a break to protect your peace and move on, blocking is totally fine. If you're worried that the other person will be offended or it'll come as a surprise, you could consider dropping them a line beforehand to explain your decision to (temporarily) block. "If you do decide that a block is what you need to heal, a simple conversation with your ex about this change in terms will help; you can still take time and space apart before reconnecting as friends," says Knight.

When it comes to blocking, it can be an important boundary for protecting your physical and emotional safety. It can be an essential part of moving on from someone after a breakup. But it's not a get-out-of-jail-free card to avoid awkward conversations or to manipulate people's feelings. Use with caution.

SAVE UP TO 77%: Shop deals on Amazon Echos ahead of the holidays. Get majors savings on devices like the Amazon Echo Auto. When bundled with one month of Amazon Music Unlimited, receive the device and subscription for just $14.98, saving you $50 for 77% off.

Best Amazon Echo device deals Best Echo deal Amazon Echo Pop $17.99 at Amazon (Save $22) Get Deal Best Echo bundle deal Amazon Echo Auto with one month of Amazon Music Unlimited $14.98 at Amazon (Save $50) Get Deal Best Echo Show deal Amazon Echo Show 5 $44.99 at Amazon (Save $45) Get Deal Best Echo Kids deal Amazon Echo Pop Kids $22.99 at Amazon (Save $27) Get Deal

How is that last-minute holiday shopping going? Have you broken a sweat yet, racing around to stores, trying to find just the right thing for everyone on your list? With a week left to get your holiday shopping done, finding online deals is crucial, since we know time is running out. Plus, if you are online shopping, you want to make sure that your gifts will arrive in time for Christmas.

Sneaking in right under the wire, Amazon is coming in hot with deals on deals on Echo devices. Everything — the Pop, Dot, Spot, and Show — are all on sale ahead of the holidays, swinging back down to their lowest prices we've ever seen.

So if you have someone on your list (including yourself) looking for a smart home upgrade, you can't go wrong with these Amazon Echo deals that are guaranteed to arrive for the holidays.

Best Amazon Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Echo Pop is the smallest of Amazon's smart speakers, but that doesn't mean it isn't powerful. This small but mighty speaker is budget-friendly and responds to voices commands, whether you're asking it to play the latest episode of The Daily or set a timer for whatever you're cooking.

While its list price is already a great value at $39.99, it's back down to its lowest price ever of $17.99. That gives you a great smart speaker for under $20, saving you $22 for $55 off.

Best Amazon Echo bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Auto with one month of Amazon Music Unlimited $14.98 at Amazon
$64.98 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Going hands-free in the car is crucial for your safety and the Amazon Echo Auto helps you keep your hands off your phone and on the wheel. With built-in speakers, the Auto plays musics, takes calls, and sends texts at your command.

Ahead of the holidays, Amazon is offering the ultimate savings on the Echo. Right now, when you bundle it with one month free of Amazon Music Unlimited, the device is just $14.98, saving you $50 for 77% off. If you don't need another music subscription we get it, just remember to cancel after your one month free before it renews at $9.99 per month.

More echo deals

• Amazon Echo Dot — $22.99 $49.99 (save $27)

• Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $22.99 $49.99 (save $27)

• Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $27.99 $59.99 (save $32)

• Amazon Echo Spot — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 — $44.99 $89.99 (save $45)

• Amazon Echo — $54.99 $99.99 (save $45)

• Amazon Echo Show 8 — $84.99 $149.99 (save $65)

SAVE $27.98: Get one month of free access to YouTube Premium and 50% off a two-month membership with this Best Buy offer. YouTube Premium typically costs $13.99 per month which means you'll get three months of access for the price of one month.

Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube One free month of YouTube Premium and 50% two months $13.99 at Best Buy
$41.97 Save $27.98 eligible for new subscribers Get Deal

Love streaming videos and music but can't stand wasting time with ads? Life is too short wait around looking at the countdown timer before we can skip ads. Thankfully, Best Buy agrees and has a nice holiday offer in store for everyone.

As of Dec. 16, Best Buy is offering one month of YouTube Premium for free, followed by two months at 50% off. Since YouTube Premium typically costs $13.99 per month, the deal equals a savings of $27.98 over the three months, essentially giving us three months of YouTube Premium for the price of one. You can also opt to cash in on just the one month of free access.

After checking out with the free one-month offer, Best Buy will email additional redemption info. To grab this deal, you'll need to have a Best Buy account, which is free. You'll also need to be a new subscriber to YouTube Premium.

YouTube Premium is a great program if you often tune into your favorite channels. From gamers to travelers, YouTube is a wealth of information that offers never-ending content options. A Premium account means you'll never have to watch an ad while streaming on both YouTube and YouTube Music.

YouTube Premium also gives you ability to keep a video steaming in the background, while you navigate to other apps on your phone. That same function also allows you to continue streaming from YouTube Music while your screen is off. Plus, you have the ability to download content to watch later. This could be especially useful if you have upcoming holiday travel plans and will be chilling in airplane mode or won't have access to Wi-Fi.

Instead of paying $13.99 per month, take advantage of this Best Buy offer that gives new subscribers three months of YouTube Premium for the price of one. Not only will you go ad free on YouTube with the membership, you'll be able to download content to watch while traveling over the holidays.

OpenAI is making ChatGPT Search available to all users and search in Voice Mode.

Two months ago, ChatGPT Search was launched for ChatGPT Plus users. As of today, it's rolling out to all free users who are logged in. Search with Advanced Voice Mode also now works with ChatGPT Search.

Just an hour before OpenAI's announcement, Google unveiled Veo 2, its next-gen text-to-video model. The two companies haven't been shy about their cutthroat rivalry, often shipping similar products within a day (or in this case hours) of each other. Last week, OpenAI launched its AI video generator Sora, vision for Advanced Voice Mode, and a slew of other minor features. Not to be outdone, Google unveiled its latest model Gemini 2.0, which is touted as an "agentic era" model for handling tasks on the user's behalf.

Tweet may have been deleted

By typing a query into the ChatGPT search bar, it will automatically decided whether or not to use the search engine. Search results include previews with images with links, just like you would with traditional search. Within ChatGPT, videos are embedded, so you can watch movie trailers or anything else in the app. Just like Google Search, you can click into search results for more information, without leaving the app.

If you're ready to complete your conversion from Google Search to ChatGPT Search, you can also make make ChatGPT Search your default search engine.

There are some mysterious flying objects hovering over New Jersey and, days after the first drones were spotted, we still don't know much about what they are, where they're from, and what they're doing up there.

Folks with eyes on New Jersey have been reporting mysterious drone sightings — over houses, military installations, and Trump's Bedminster golf club, to name a few — since mid-November. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Aviation Administration have all investigated the origins but don't yet have any answers for us. The Pentagon says the mystery drones are not military and are probably not foreign. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and U.S. Sen. Andy Kim have gone on their own drone hunts, too, but have come back empty-handed.

Despite this, Murphy and law enforcement officials say the drones aren't likely a threat to public safety, according to the Associated Press.

"Tonight I met with @NJSP officials and radar technicians at the Regional Operations & Intelligence Center who are surveying the area for unmanned aircraft systems," Murphy posted on X Sunday night. "The public deserves clear answers — we will keep pushing the federal government for more information and resources."

The drones have become such a spectacle that the president-elect weighed in.

"Let the public know, and now," Trump said. "Otherwise, shoot them down!"

It's leading lawmakers to consider stricter rules about flying unmanned aircrafts, the AP reported. But many of the sightings aren't unmanned aircrafts at all — they're stars, planes, or other flying objects like aircrafts coming and going from New Jersey airports.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Just look at the Friday X post from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who says he "personally witnessed" what he believed were "dozens of large drones in the sky above my residence in Davidsonville, Maryland." The video that accompanied the post clearly shows the constellation Orion and the stars Sirius and Procyon.

No matter who — or what — is behind the drones, Harry Direen, an electronic and software engineering expert at DireenTech, told USA Today that the culprits are "clearly ... not being very stealthy."

SAVE $23: Select Amazon accounts are eligible to buy an Amazon Smart Plug for just $1.99 with code PLUG, down from the list price of $24.99. That's a 92% discount. Check the product page to see if your account is eligible.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Smart Plug $1.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $23.00 eligible for select Amazon accounts only with checkout code PLUG Get Deal

A smart plug is one of the simplest, yet most convenient additions if you prefer smart home devices. For some lucky Amazon accounts, you can grab a smart plug for an epically low price through the end of the month.

Until Dec. 31, the Amazon Smart Plug is just $1.99 for select Amazon accounts with discount code PLUG, down from the list price of $24.99. That's a 92% discount or a savings of $23.99. To check if you're eligible, head to the product page and look for the exclusive pricing offer.

Perfect for your Christmas tree or holiday lights, the Amazon Smart Plug allows you to turn the plug on or off through the Alexa app on your smartphone. That means you'll no longer have to maneuver behind the Christmas tree to unplug the lights.

The Amazon Smart Plug is also simple to set up, only requiring you to plug it in and open the Alexa app to get going. Amazon recommends using it with lamps, fans, coffee makers, and more.

Through the Alexa app, you can also set schedules for the Smart Plug, programming the Christmas tree lights to turn on at 5 p.m. and off at midnight, for example. Keep in mind it's only for use indoors and it'll need to connect to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.

The Amazon Smart Plug can also be a great addition if you'll be going away for the holidays. With the plug, control a living room lamp to turn on and off whenever you feel like it, giving the impression someone is home. Kevin really could have used a smart plug when he got left behind at home.

Not all Amazon accounts are eligible for the deal, so you'll need to check the Smart Plug product page to see if it shows up for you. It's also non-transferrable so you won't be able to share the promo code with others. But if you're one of the lucky ones, be sure to jump on this great deal to get an Amazon Smart Plug for only $1.99.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Dec. 16: OUR TOP PICK Beats Studio Buds $79 (save $70.95)) Get Deal BEST HOME SECURITY DEAL Blink Whole Home Bundle $109.97 (save $90) Get Deal BEST SOUNDBAR DEAL Sonos Ray $169 (save $110) Get Deal BEST SMART GADGET DEAL Amazon Echo Frames $169.99 (save $160) Get Deal BEST OUTDOOR DEAL Yeti Roadie 60 wheeled cooler $337.50 (save $112.50) Get Deal

There's only a little over a week until the big day, or in other words, it's crunch time for holiday shopping. Luckily, there's still plenty of deals at Amazon to help you save on your last-minute gifts. Brands like Beats, Yeti, Sonos, and more are offering discounts up to 48% off as of Dec. 16 — and we've rounded up the best ones.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to check back tomorrow for a brand-new list of deals.

Our top pick: Beats Studio Buds Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $79.00 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $70.95 Get Deal

Searching for a solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that won't break the bank? The Beats Studio Buds are on sale for just $79 as of Dec. 16 at Amazon. That's 47% in savings and 99 cents cheaper than their Prime Day and Black Friday price. Mashable's Alex Perry called them "Apple's new go-to entry-level earbuds" when they first came out in 2021, boldly stating they "put entry-level AirPods to shame." Some standout perks are powerful bass, 24-hour battery life (with the charging case), transparency mode, spatial audio, and decent ANC. While they're no longer the latest or greatest Beats buds on the market, they still hold up in 2024.

Read our full review of the Beats Studio Buds.

Blink Whole Home Bundle Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Whole Home Bundle $109.97 at Amazon
$199.97 Save $90.00 Get Deal

While you can't put a price tag on peace of mind, you can get pretty close with this $109.97 deal on the Blink Whole Home Bundle. It includes the Blink Outdoor 4, Mini 2, and Video Doorbell system, so you can keep an eye on every part of your home. Using the Blink app, you can see who shows up at your door (even at night) and enjoy live two-way communication with the Video Doorbell. Then, with the Outdoor 4, you can expand your field of view around your home and be alerted to anything out of the ordinary. The Blink Mini 2 handles the inside of your home, day or night, while the Sync Module 2 (included) lets you track all of the action in one place. Slash 45% off as of Dec. 16.

Sonos Ray Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ray $169.00 at Amazon
$279.00 Save $110.00 Get Deal

According to Mashable reviewer Han Schneider, the Sonos Ray "delivers on the bottom line requirement of any speaker: true, quality sound." It's a budget-friendly, low-profile soundbar that happens to be one of our favorites — particularly as a starter soundbar. It doesn't have a ton of fancy features (no Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI hookup, or smart home compatibility), but the price tag and impressive sound quality more than make up for it. It's usually $279, but as of Dec. 16, it's on sale for only $169 at Amazon. That's 39% in savings and just $20 away from its best-ever price from Black Friday.

Read our full review of the Sonos Ray.

Amazon Echo Frames Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Frames $169.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal

Need a unique gift option that will make it to your door before Christmas? The Amazon Echo Frames check both of those boxes. They're Alexa-equipped sunglasses that allow you to control your smart home devices, ask questions, play music, stream podcasts, and take hands-free calls. No need to whip out a phone or pop in earbuds with these babies on. They last for up to 14 hours on a single charge and come in five unique styles. Plus, they're prescription compatible. Usually $329.99, you can grab a pair on sale for only $169.99 as of Dec. 16. That's 48% in savings and matches their best-ever price.

Yeti Roadie 60 wheeled cooler Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Roadie 60 $337.50 at Amazon
$450.00 Save $112.50 Get Deal

Yeti coolers are hard to beat; not only can they keep eyes for days (weeks, even!), but they're also virtually indestructible. I own a Yeti Roadie 24 and my only complaint is that it's pretty dang heavy when it's filled up. The Roadie 60 fixes that problem by adding two puncture-resistant wheels and a periscope handle. It can fit 98 cans, 68 pounds of just ice, or 19 wine bottles — in other words, this thing is massive — making it a great option for camping trips, beach days, weekend getaways, and everything in between. It's usually $450, but you can get the lilac option on sale for $337.50 at Amazon as of Dec. 16. That's a rare 25% in savings.

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

Google Deepmind has unveiled its next-generation AI tools, Veo 2 and Imagen 3, along with a playful new experiment, Whisk, aimed at remixing visuals in creative ways.

Veo 2 is the newest version of the company's flagship video-generation tool, which according to Google will be capable of higher realism and an improved understanding of movement, physics, and cinematic techniques. In its press release, Google Deepmind states that Veo 2 can generate 4K videos and handle complex prompts — like specific camera lenses or cinematic shots.

SEE ALSO: Veo, Google's Sora competitor, is hyped by Donald Glover

"Veo 2 understands the unique language of cinematography," the press release states, emphasizing its ability to deliver stylistic choices like "low-angle tracking shots" or "shallow depth of field." Further, the company says that, unlike earlier models that often “hallucinate” strange visuals (like extra limbs), Veo 2 reduces these quirks, making results more natural.

Imagen 3, released in August, has gotten some improvements with richer textures, brighter colors, and diverse art styles — from photorealistic landscapes to anime. The upgrade will also stick more faithfully to user prompts.

The most intriguing addition might be Whisk, a tool that allows users to remix images with creative flair. By combining Google’s Imagen 3 and Gemini models, Whisk can turn rough image ideas into digital artworks like "plushies or enamel pins," all while automatically generating descriptive captions.

Veo 2 is rolling out in Google’s VideoFX, Imagen 3 hits ImageFX in over 100 countries, and Whisk is live for U.S. users. You can sign up for the Google Labs waitlist now.

Save $101.99: As of Dec. 16, you can grab the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds for $198 at Amazon, saving you $101.99 on their $299.99 retail price. You can also grab the earbuds for a dollar more at Best Buy and Target, with all three deals giving you roughly a 33% discount, and the best prices we've ever seen on these earbuds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds $198.00 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal

If you're currently scrambling for last-minute Christmas gifts and kicking yourself for not shopping during Black Friday, I'd like to remind you that good things come to those who wait.

For example, as of Dec. 16, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are down to $198 at Amazon, beating their Black Friday and Cyber Monday price by about $30 and marking a new record low price for the earbuds that usually cost $299.99. If you're not a fan of Amazon, you can also find them on sale at Best Buy and Target for $199.99.

While testing headphones and earbuds for Mashable, I tried the Sony WF-1000XM5s, and was blown away by their sound quality and easy pairing, while their active noise cancelling placed them among some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds I've tried. Mashable Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino also named these one of her top picks for the best noise-cancelling earbuds, calling out their "distinct audio" that "pick up on the subtleness of every lyric and beat."

SEE ALSO: The 6 best Bluetooth speakers for basically any situation

What helps make that audio shine is the custom equalizer on the earbuds' companion app. Though the interface can be a bit difficult to navigate, the "Find Your Equalizer" feature makes it easy for audiophiles and non-audiophiles alike to fine tune the settings they most prefer with their music.

Typically, the biggest con of these earbuds is their price point, but at $198, they're near the price of AirPods Pro on sale, and lower than the sale price of our favorite overall noise-cancelling earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.