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The social media company said it would start a peer-to-peer payments service, moving to expand the app’s abilities.

A new document examines the opportunities and risks of A.I. and calls for “moral and ethical considerations” to be enshrined in all of its applications.

SAVE $50 AND GET A FREE WATCH BAND: As of Jan 28, get the OnePlus Watch 2 for $50 off with promo code SHADOW25. Plus, get a free OnePlus Watch 2 Strap with your purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: OnePlus Watch 2 OnePlus Watch 2 $249.99 at OnePlus
$299.99 Save $50.00 Promo Code SHADOW25 Get Deal

If you haven't yet decided on the smartwatch that's right for you, you've got plenty of options. You could opt for an Apple Watch or even something from Samsung. But if you aren't so keen on either one of those lines, you might want to grab the OnePlus Watch 2. It's a great contender that's made even better by the low price you can get it for, as well as the additional gift you get when you purchase one right now.

As of Jan. 28, get the OnePlus Watch 2 for $50 off with promo code SHADOW25. That brings it down from $299.99 to $249.99. You also get a free OnePlus Watch 2 Strap with your purchase. Just scroll down to the "Free Gift" section and choose between the Brown Leather or Solid Black Fluoro-rubber option. Then just check out as usual.

The OnePlus Watch 2 runs on Google's Wear OS 4 and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 chipset as well as the BES2700 chip. It uses a speedy OS under the hood as well that tackles background activity to give it a lengthier battery life of up to 100 hours in Smart Mode without heavy usage.

It can handle all your calls and notifications, sure, but it can also work as a fitness watch if you need it to track workouts and other info as you use it. It also comes with apps like Maps, Pay, Wallet, and Calendar as well as Android phone integration so you can have everything you need at your fingertips.

This is a great price made even greater by the free item you get with your purchase. If you're ready to take the plunge, now's a good time.

Black Panther and Creed director Ryan Coogler reunites with longtime collaborator Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year. The director's first foray into horror, it's also a genre film shrouded in mystery, with rumours of vampires and Mississippi blues swirling around the internet.

Interviewed in a press conference by Juju Green on Monday, the director gave more details about what to expect from his first film back on celluloid since Fruitvale Station, as well as the movies that influenced Sinners, and the connection between the supernatural and the history of blues, where deals with the Devil are said to be made.

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

So, we've summarised what we learned about Coogler's much-anticipated new film — including what you should watch before it comes out.

1. What is Sinners about?

Set in the 1930s Jim Crow-era South, Sinners blends history and horror with the power of the blues.

Jordan stars as twins Elijah and Elias, two men who return to their hometown and the lively music venue that provides a respite for segregated Black residents from the ever-present white threat. But there's something supernaturally monstrous encroaching on the joint, and it could have something to do with the blues roaring from the stage.

Here's the latest trailer:

Wunmi Mosaku, Jack O'Connell, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Delroy Lindo also star, as well as Hailee Steinfeld who looks positively vampiric in the trailer. Plus, Coogler recruited longtime collaborators for the project, including cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, production designer Hannah Beachler, and costume designer Ruth E. Carter, so expect Oscar-worthy detail here.

But wait, is Sinners all about vampires as the rumours say?

2. Sinners is more than a vampire film

There's been talk of vampires appearing in Sinners, and Coogler confirmed it during the press conference on Monday. However, the director described the film as "genre fluid," and insisted there was more to the film than the usual bloodsuckers-by-numbers path.

"There are vampires in the film but it's really about a lot more than just that," Coogler said. "It's one of many elements, and I think we're gonna surprise people with it."

"When you think about the vampire as it exists, it's got an association and a counterpart in almost every culture, but it is the supernatural creature that's most associated with seduction, that's most associated with choice," he added later. "You know, in that aspect, it's something that's very present in, you know, blues music was often called the devil's music."

"There are vampires in the film but it's really about a lot more than just that." - Ryan Coogler

During the interview, Coogler unpacked the duality of blues, often torn between secular and spiritual spaces, and mentioned the stories associated with blues legends Tommy Johnson and Robert Johnson in which the musicians were said to have sold their souls to the Devil. And if you watch the new Sinners trailer, a voice over speaks of "legends of people with the gift of making music so true they can conjure spirits from the past and future." It’s a gift that "can bring fame and fortune but it also can pierce the veil between life."

The film's historical setting also meant Coogler's team enlisted consultants of Hoodoo culture, the ancestral religion and spiritual practice created by enslaved African Americans during the period, which plays a major part in the film.

3. Sinners' Mississippi setting is personal to Ryan Coogler

Sinners is set in Mississippi, a place with personal connection to Coogler and his family, particularly his grandfather and his uncle.

"My maternal grandfather is from Mississippi and my Uncle James, who passed away while I was finishing up Creed, also from Mississippi. It was a place that I had never been. My maternal grandfather passed before I was born. We grew up in a house that he built in Oakland after he had moved to California. And I was fortunate to have a really, really close relationship with my Uncle James," said Coogler.

"This movie, the seed of it started with that relationship with my uncle. He would listen to blues music all the time — he would only talk about Mississippi when he was listening to that music. And he had a profound effect on my life. I got a chance to kind of dig into my own ancestral history with this film, and it's been extremely rewarding."

The blues, a genre born in the Mississippi Delta, plays a massive part in Sinners, with the film's music consultants' list "a mile long" and composer Ludwig Göransson at the helm.

"Before [Göransson] was a composer he was a guitarist because his father is a guitarist and taught him," said Coogler. "His father was obsessed with the musicians from this era, from this region. We actually did the Blues Trail when we were researching the film and doing some early location scouting. His dad came along, we went to B.B. King's club in Indianola, Mississippi, and played on the stage."

4. What to watch before you see Sinners

Sinners is Coogler's first foray into horror himself, stemming from a lifelong love of the genre.

"It was my first time experimenting with the genre head on and I loved it, man. I got to dig into the films that I loved coming up and get to analyze why I loved them, what drew me to them and try to really lean on those influences and figure out a way, you know, how to tell my story in that space," said Coogler.

Coogler mentioned a whole host of influences, films, TV shows, and books you should absolutely get into before seeing Sinners. This includes Coen brothers movies Inside Llewyn Davis, O Brother Where Art Thou?, Fargo, and No Country For Old Men, as well as Stephen King's legendary vampire novel, Salem's Lot.

"Robert Rodriguez is a big one. I think it'd be on the nose, it'd be very easy to make comparisons, but it's actually quite close to to The Faculty, quite a bit, which is a remake of The Thing, which is one of my favorite movies, definitely my favorite horror movie," said Coogler. "So it's a lot of [John] Carpenter in the film as well."

"But truthfully, the biggest influences are not in a cinema. The [Stephen King] novel, Salem's Lot, that's a massive influence on the film. And then there's a real deep cut influence — my favorite thing ever made is Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone, OK? My favorite episode of that is an episode called "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank." You know, Salem's Lot and "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank" are probably the biggest influences."

5. Sinners sees Ryan Coogler back on celluloid

Coogler dug into the actual film cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw worked with for Sinners, which will delight photography and film nerds.

"It's my first film back on celluloid since Fruitvale. I'm a big fan of the medium, so I was excited to be back working there, and it made a lot of sense for the time period to bring it back to that kind of analog capture," said Coogler.

"Working with Warner Brothers, they allowed us to shoot the film on large format. So it's the first film I've ever done like this. It alternates between Ultra Panavision, which is a 2.76:1 aspect ratio; we also filmed quite a few scenes with 1.43:1 IMAX, 15-perf. But every shot is large format photography and it makes for a really unique look. It's intimate. It feels old and and fresh at the same time. And this format is capturing some of our finest craftspeople in Autumn [Durald Arkapaw], Hannah [Beachler], and Ruth [E. Carter], so it's been phenomenal to see the work shine."

Notably, Coogler said Sinners is a movie made to be seen in cinema with a crowd, and paid tribute to the film as one meant to be commentated aloud on.

"Horror films, specifically in Black culture, we’re known for talking to the screen. This film was made to be talked to," he said.

6. Sinners has twin consultants

In the film, Jordan stars as twins Elijah and Elias, playing both characters with their unique characteristics.

"What we are dealing with in the film is a lot of archetypical characters, you know? And these are identical twins, but they also are like that concept of twins," said Coogler, pointing out that twins in a community can often be "notorious, kind of local celebrities."

Sinners wouldn't be the first film to use one actor to play twins, a technique that often really bugs me as a twin myself, but at least Coogler had actual twins consulting on the film.

"It's unique in that they are identical twins, but they are two different people. It's not as simple as two sides of the same coin in that there's a dynamic that exists with identical twins. It's kind of known," said Coogler.

"We had twin consultants on this movie — two friends of mine that are actually filmmakers as well, Logan and Noah Miller, from Northern California where I'm at — and they were able to consult and work with Mike on the mindset of sharing a womb with somebody, you know. And growing up with them and how unique of a dynamic that is — but at the same time not making it a caricature. So the differences between these two guys are slight but they are there."

Sinners opens in theaters March 7.

I don't think I've ever changed my mind about a show as quickly as I did with Paradise, which took me from "meh" to "this rocks, actually" within the span of its very first episode.

SEE ALSO: 2025 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

The logline for Hulu's series, which reunites This Is Us star Sterling K. Brown and creator Dan Fogelman, reads, "Paradise is set in a serene community inhabited by some of the world's most prominent individuals. But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs and a high-stakes investigation unfolds."

The murder in question is the death of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden, Jury Duty), and his head of security, Xavier Collins (Brown), quickly becomes the main suspect. Not only was he the last person to see Cal alive — Xavier also wished for Cal's death in their very last interaction.

Based on that — as well as the show's trailers and super vague logline — you might expect Paradise to be a run-of-the-mill conspiracy thriller that positions Xavier as an unreliable narrator. Did he kill Cal, or is he innocent? Will this mystery be dragged out over an entire season of TV?

That was the sense I got from most of the show's premiere episode, which was engaging enough but did nothing to boost my confidence in a premise I already found to be lackluster. However, the episode's last three minutes changed that entirely, ushering in a twist that raises Paradise's stakes, switches its genre, and most importantly, proves that the show isn't afraid to get a tad goofy. I highly recommend you watch episode 1 of Paradise to experience the vibe shift for yourself — for my part, my jaw was on the floor — but if you still need convincing, read on to hear more about Paradise's bonkers twist. (And why it's only the beginning.)

What is the big plot twist in Paradise's premiere? James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown in "Paradise." Credit: Disney / Brian Roedel

For almost all of Paradise's first episode, it seems like the "serene community" of Paradise that Xavier calls home is just a peaceful, sunny town, complete with a town square that wouldn't look out of place in Gilmore Girls. But in reality (and here's your last chance to turn away before we hit spoiler central), Paradise is the world's largest underground city built to withstand a global calamity. Its sun is just a massive heat lamp, its sky is just projections on a massive dome, and its citizens are all that's left of humanity.

That's right: Paradise is actually This Is Us meets Silo — and the sci-fi element only made me more excited to keep watching.

Paradise's underground city twist is just the first of many. Sterling K. Brown, Sarah Shahi, and Julianne Nicholson in "Paradise." Credit: Disney / Brian Roedel

Just like with the show itself, nothing in Paradise is what it seems. The city may have been built to weather the apocalypse, but inside this strange utopia, a storm is brewing. Residents hide their true intentions and dark pasts behind facades — something Paradise cleverly acknowledges by naming several episodes after characters' code names or assumed identities.

We get to know these characters in both the present day, when Xavier is investigating Cal's death, and the past. Flashbacks reveal Xavier and Cal's first interactions, their blooming friendship, and how their relationship soured to the point of Xavier wishing for Cal's demise. The series also introduces us to Paradise's master planner, Samantha (Julianne Nicholson, Janet Planet), a tech mogul with a killer survival instinct and a suitably sad — if clichéd — backstory that lends depth to her master plan. Other players in this game include Sinatra's right-hand woman, Gabriela (Sarah Shahi), and Secret Service agents Robinson (Krys Marshall), Jane (Nicole Brydon Bloom), and Billy (Jon Beavers).

SEE ALSO: Should you sign up for Hulu? Our film critics weigh in.

In the race to discover who killed Cal, each of these characters' true agendas come to life — often in the form of major reveals that rival that of underground city. Truly, Paradise being an absurdly large apocalypse bunker is just the start of Paradise's twisty narrative, and thankfully, Fogelman never lets a a question dangle for too long before hitting us with a wild reveal.

Paradise's plot twist offers up intriguing commentary — along with some goofiness. James Marsden in "Paradise." Credit: Disney/Brian Roedel

That Paradise takes place in a community built for the wealthy to withstand the apocalypse gives it room for commentary about the climate crisis, and who will be able to weather its impacts the most. Most everyone in Paradise is a billionaire or world leader, continuing to live their lives as normally as possible despite the apocalypse. Meanwhile, the workers who built Paradise likely never got to actually live in it.

Paradise itself is also modeled off of quaint American towns for a sentimental reason we learn down the line but said designs also give the illusion of normalcy when the situation is anything but. (Contrast Paradise's production design with Silo's brutalist underground shelters to see two very different approaches to post-apocalyptic survival.)

But as Paradise's core conceit opens the show up for ever-relevant messaging about challenging authority and the ways in which the rich and powerful seek to help only themselves, it also creates opportunities for comedy. (Some intentional, some not.)

Take, for example, the worldbuilding of Paradise, some details of which are strangely funny yet telling. Paradise's citizens — the last 25,000 people on Earth —often discuss eating fake meat and cheese alternatives due to the need to conserve resources. Then, a few episodes down the line, we get an episode set at a carnival, where people can win small tchotchkes like rubber ducks. You're telling me there was room for rubber ducks and a whole Ferris wheel in the apocalypse bunker, but not more people? All in the spirit of maintaining the status quo, right?

Some details feel less intentionally funny, like the somber, slowed-down covers of various '80s bangers. Sure, they're tied to Cal's love of the music of the '80s, but my goodness, are they clunky ways to end almost every episode. Yet despite all that, I found myself reacting to each needle drop similarly to my reaction to Paradise's initial twist: my mouth open in confusion, my mind desperately trying to process what in the world was happening. The latter finally settled on the simple truth that Paradise is fun as all get out, and that fun begins with its twist.

The first three episodes of Paradise are now streaming on Hulu, with a new episode every week.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Jan. 28: OUR TOP PICK Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro, 128GB, WiFi) $399 (save $100) Get Deal BEST TAX SOFTWARE DEAL H&R Block Deluxe + State 2024 tax software $29.99 (save $30) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH TRACKER DEAL eufy Security SmartTrack Card $16.88 (save $13.11) Get Deal BEST PORTABLE MONITOR DEAL LG Gram + View 16-inch IPS portable monitor $259.99 (save $90) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEVICE DEAL Roku Ultra $79 (save $20.99) Get Deal

Looking to do some deals shopping? Amazon's daily deals page is chock-full of impressive discounts on Jan. 28. You just have to spend some time sifting through them to find the gems. Fortunately for you, we've already done that part and handpicked a few we think are worth grabbing.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to take a look back at our picks from yesterday, Jan. 27. Many of those deals are still live, including the 11-inch iPad Air at its best price ever.

Our top pick: iPad Mini Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro, 128GB, WiFi) $399.00 at Amazon
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After three years of waiting, we finally got a new iPad Mini in October 2024, which features a handful of welcome (yet predictable) upgrades: a new A17 Pro chip, more starting storage (128GB), an increase in RAM, and compatibility with Apple Intelligence. As Mashable's Stan Schroeder put it in his review, "If you're new to the iPad, and you want the most compact one around (or any compact tablet), the new iPad mini 7 is the best choice." It's not the most exciting iPad around, but it's great if you're looking for something to stream shows, read e-books, and do some casual scrolling. As of Jan. 28, the base model is back down to just $399 — its lowest price on record. That's 20% in savings.

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Tax season is upon us. If you plan on filing your own taxes, H&R Block's Tax Software Deluxe + State 2024 is on sale for only $29.99 as of Jan. 28 — 50% in savings — and can help you maximize your credits and deductions. It includes five free federal e-files for your personal return, unlimited federal preparation and printing, one state program download included ($39.95 value), step-by-step guidance on credits and deductions, mortgage and real estate tax guidance, and a special Amazon-exclusive offer of an extra 2% refund bonus when you receive your refund as an Amazon gift card. If you're an online shopping addict, this is a solid way to maximize your refund and get a little extra spending money this season.

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If you want to keep track of your stuff, but AirTags are out of your price range, the Eufy Security SmartTrack Card is a solid budget-friendly alternative at its current discount. The size of a credit card, it can slip inside of your wallet, luggage, backpack, and more. It works just like an AirTag, using Apple's Find My network to locate your lost belongings. Sadly, though, it's not compatible with Android devices. We haven't had a chance to test it out ourselves, but our friends over at PCMag (also owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) have, and they dubbed it "a good AirTag alternative if you own an iPhone." Snag one on sale for just $16.88 as of Jan. 28. That's 44% in savings.

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An extra monitor can add even more convenience to your already portable work setup. The 16-inch LG Gram +View offers a gorgeous, high-resolution 16:10 display that plugs in via USB-C. That means there's no need to switch tabs or squeeze all of your work onto your tiny laptop screen. It weighs just 1.5 pounds and features horizontal and vertical viewing modes for versatility. As of Jan. 28, it's down to just $259.99 at Amazon, which is 26% in savings and just a few bucks shy of its best price ever.

Roku Ultra Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Ultra $79.00 at Amazon
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Our favorite Roku streaming device, the Roku Ultra, is back down to just $79 at Amazon as of Jan. 28. That's 21% in savings. The premium streamer features a quad-core processor for smooth HD, 4K, and HDR streaming on a zippy interface. It also packs Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support, a microSD slot for storing and streaming external media, an Ethernet port, and the Roku Voice Remote Pro with customizable shortcut keys.

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

SAVE 20%: Amazon has several Lego floral bouquets and botanical sets on sale, the perfect gift for your Valentine that'll never wilt or require watering.

Best Lego set deals at Amazon for Valentine's Day Best overall Lego deal Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet $47.96 (save $12.03) Get Deal Best potted flower Lego deal Lego Botanicals Orchid $39.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best multi-plant Lego deal Lego Botanicals Tiny Plants $39.99 (save $10) Get Deal

Flowers have been a long-time Valentine's Day gifting tradition. But if you're looking to gift something that'll last longer than a week and doesn't require any care, floral Legos are perfect. Not only does gifting a Lego set give your Valentine something fun to do during the depths of winter, Legos never decay or wilt or release pollen into the air.

If your special someone or a great friend could use a cheery Lego floral build, check out these great deals at Amazon that'll arrive in time for Valentine's Day gifting.

Best overall Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Wildflower Bouquet $47.96 at Amazon
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A bouquet of wildflowers is irresistible, especially in February when we could all use something bright and pretty. This Valentine's Day, you can snag the Lego Wildflower Bouquet on sale at Amazon for only $47.96, instead of the usual price of $59.99. With the steep price of a real floral bouquet, this Lego set is a heck of a deal. Not only will it last infinitely longer than live flowers, it doesn't require a green thumb to keep it looking fresh.

The Lego set has almost 1,000 pieces and 16 individual stems that are adjustable in height, so you're free to create a bouquet that matches your personality.

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Orchids are some of nature's most fickle bloomers when trying to grow them indoors. They can be pretty particular about humidity, temperature, light, and water amount. Ignore all of that with the Lego Botanicals Orchid build, which can thrive anywhere. With today's sale at Amazon, the potted orchid can be yours for $39.99, saving you $10 off the usual price of $49.99.

The Lego Orchid build includes about 600 pieces with blooming plant and buildable pot. You can rearrange the plant's stems, roots, blooms, and leaves to keep things looking new. Overall, the orchid measures about 15 inches high and 11.5 inches wide.

SEE ALSO: Lego just dropped a Twilight-inspired build that'll arrive in time for Valentine's Day Best multi-plant Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Tiny Plants $39.99 at Amazon
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What's better than one bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day? A set of nine tiny plants that'll last forever. Snag the Lego Botanicals Tiny Plants set at Amazon for only $39.99, down from the typical price of $49.99. This set of tiny plants focuses on the beauty and color of succulents, cacti, and carnivorous plants. Each of the nine plants comes with its own buildable terra cotta container. Display them all together or spread them out over the house in nine areas to add a pop of color.

More Valentine's Day worthy Lego deals at Amazon:

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Social media exploded in a celebration after the news that a Chinese start-up had made an artificial intelligence tool that was more efficient than any in the United States.

GET $64 OFF: Jan. 28th, get the Denon DHT-S218 2.1 Channel Soundbar for $185 at Amazon and save $64, or 26%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Denon Denon DHT-S218 2.1 Channel Soundbar $185.00 at Amazon
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When you want the real cinematic experience, TV Speakers just don't cut it. That's when you spring for a soundbar and add in directional sound with powerful highs and lows.

The Denon DHT-S218 2.1 Channel Soundbar is currently on sale for $185 at Amazon, get it now to save 26% — that's $64 off the ticket price.

SEE ALSO: Elevate your home audio with 52% off the JBL Bar Soundbar system

This Denon Soundbar pumps out 120Watt sound with two main channels and a built-in bass channel. Connecting with Bluetooth and HDMI, it isn't constrained to movie night, but will also improve music and podcasts, whether connecting via your smart TV or pairing wirelessly.

When you want to feel like you're right in the action, surround sound processing creates the illusion of 3D sound. The soundbar also includes other processing effects like dialogue enhancement and a Pure Sound mode meant for playing true-to-mix music, without extra audio processing.

Right now, the Denon DHT-S218 2.1 Channel Soundbar is on sale for $64 off, get it for $185 at Amazon and save 26%.

Gamers, film fanatics, and and music connoisseurs will all get a kick out of the clarity and immersion that this Denon Soundbar provides.

GET FREE E-BOOKS: Shop the Romance Book Blast and find romance titles completely free during the Stuff Your Kindle Day event, including plenty of romantic comedies.

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Romance Book Lovers is back with another Stuff Your Kindle Day event. On Jan. 28, the Romance Book Blast is bringing hundreds of discounted e-books to the Kindle Store, and this time, all the books are totally free.

If you're looking for something to put you in a good mood, look to romantic comedies that will make you swoon and laugh. These are the best romantic comedies to get — totally free — during the Romance Book Blast. Romance is a behemoth of a genre, offering plentiful subgenres from steamy romances to fantasy romances.

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With nearly 2,000 fans on Goodreads, Highland Games is a romp of a good time. Taking place in the Scottish Highlands, Zoe inherits a supposedly "cozy" cabin that turns out to be a total disaster. Meanwhile, Rory, her grumpy next door neighbor, just wants peace and quiet. Their clashing personalities make for a laugh-out-loud comedy that will give you all the feels.

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As DeepSeek rattles the tech industry, OpenAI is charging ahead with a new product release: ChatGPT Gov.

On Tuesday, OpenAI announced a "tailored" ChatGPT version for government agencies with enhanced cybersecurity frameworks that can be deployed on Microsoft Azure's government cloud servers or Azure commercial.

"Self-hosting ChatGPT Gov enables agencies to more easily manage their own security, privacy, and compliance requirements," the announcement states. Additionally, OpenAI believes "this infrastructure will expedite internal authorization of OpenAI’s tools for the handling of non-public sensitive data."

SEE ALSO: DeepSeek collects keystroke data and more, storing it in Chinese servers

The timing of OpenAI's announcement coincides with the wave of DeepSeek news that has challenged OpenAI's position as the dominant AI force. Last week, the Chinese company released its DeepSeek R1 model that is just as good as ChatGPT, free to use as a web app, and has an API that's significantly cheaper to use. Then there's the claim that it cost DeepSeek $6 million to train its model, compared to OpenAI's $100 million, a cost efficiency that's making Wall Street question how much money is needed to scale AI.

DeepSeek represents a threat to the U.S.'s current market dominance in the AI space, but also national security. Much like the concerns about TikTok, the China-based ChatGPT competitor raises questions about the how the U.S. government will respond to the LLM which stores its data locally on Chinese servers, potentially exposing it to the Chinese government.

From a tactical standpoint, OpenAI seems to be positioning itself as a safe and secure ally to take on Chinese threats.

Whether the ChatGPT Gov announcement was pre-planned or prompted by the DeepSeek mania is unclear. But OpenAI CEO Sam Altman remains unfazed — at least publicly. "Deepseek's R1 is an impressive model, particularly around what they're able to deliver for the price," said Altman in an X post on Monday. "We will obviously deliver much better models and also it's legit invigorating to have a new competitor! We will pull up some releases."

ChatGPT Gov has many of the same features as ChatGPT Enterprise, including GPT-4o access, the ability to save and share conversations internally, custom GPT builds, and an "administrative console" for IT teams for more customization.

"Kamala loves a Venn diagram, right? So in one circle, you've got Swifties, who love Taylor, and in the other circle, you've got people who love Kamala. In the middle, you have us — you have these people who support Taylor and support Kamala," Lexa Hayes, the friendship bracelet coordinator of the new organizing group Swifties for Kamala, tells Mashable. 

SEE ALSO: Is it 'Kamala' or 'Harris'? The answer is complicated.

Hayes is one of many Taylor Swift fans who have joined Swifties for Kamala, a coalition of fans campaigning for presidential hopeful and current Vice President Kamala Harris that operates independently of Swift herself, who still has not offered an endorsement of either candidate in the upcoming election. Born out of a tweet, the organization takes advantage of Swift fans' pre-existing passion and online savvy and aims to use it to turn the presidential election blue. 

Tweet may have been deleted

Always interested in politics, Hayes never knew how to get involved, but Swifties for Kamala gave her an accessible, unintimidating introduction to the space. "It's talented people that I already know and am comfortable with," she said of the group. 

Behind the constant Swift lyrical references, glittering 47s on their hands, and friendship bracelets is a legitimate organization helmed by Swifties with professional experience working on campaigns. April Glick Pulito, the coalition's political director, worked on the 2020 presidential election for the Wisconsin State Democratic party and on the Georgia Senate race runoff in 2022. The group's campaign manager, Annie Wu Henry, is a digital and political strategist who was instrumental in Senator John Fetterman's TikTok campaign strategy.

The Democratic Party immediately embraced Swifties for Kamala. The group's Aug. 27 Zoom rally featured speakers like Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey, as well as recording artist Carole King and members of the House of Representatives. Indivisible, the organization that led the run-of-show, back-end, and registration for other affinity groups for Harris, like White Women Answer the Call, AAPI Communities for Harris, and Female Lawyers for Harris, similarly supported Swifties for Kamala. 

Leah Greenberg, the co-executive director of Indivisible, thinks Swifties for Kamala has a ton of potential — organic potential that doesn't come from outside organizations.

"We've been seeing this big surge of different affinity groups, interest groups, and communities coming together to support Vice President Harris, and we've been trying to be supportive wherever we can," Greenberg told Mashable. 

SEE ALSO: 'Kamala is a relaxing thought': Swifties for Kamala raise $100,000 for the Harris campaign

The Swifties for Kamala Zoom rally saw an estimated 27,000 participants and raised over $100,000 for the Harris campaign. Those are not insignificant numbers, but when compared to affinity groups politicians already appeal to, like Win With Black Women, Win With Black Men, White Women Answer the Call, and White Dudes for Kamala, which raised $1.5 million, $1.3 million, $2 million, and $4.2 million, respectively, Swifties for Kamala only made a fraction of the impact.

Fandom as an affinity group

Swifties for Kamala is similar to other Zoom coalition calls in that they bring together large, diverse groups of people with different lived experiences and issues they're voting around, coming together not necessarily over policy but for an individual candidate. 

However, while other coalitions like White Women Answer the Call and White Dudes for Kamala organized in response to their demographic's role in and history of electing conservative and racist leaders, Swifties don't have as clear a lineage in the nation's voting history. Some Swifties say they have organized in defiance of groups of men on the right who belittle them. For others, it's a callback to their idol's past political stance.

For example, a rallying point among Swifties for Kamala is a tweet from the Republican Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee. After Swift broke her political silence and came out against Republican Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn in 2018, Huckabee wrote, "So @taylorswift13 has every right to be political but it won't impact election unless we allow 13 yr old girls to vote. Still with #MarshaBlackburn."

After the Zoom rally, the Swifties for Kamala account quote-tweeted Huckabee, writing, "Guess who's old enough to vote now." It received 90,000 likes. Another fan quote tweeted it with, "This aged like milk because those 13 year old girls in 2018 can vote in this election. We smile and smile." The post garnered 14,000 likes. But "Swiftie" isn't a political stance. 

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When asked about conservative Swifties, Glick Pulito alluded to their idol's few outspoken moments, saying, "Once you get deep enough into this fandom and have watched Miss Americana…" — a reference to Swift's 2020 documentary, implying that conservative fans aren't true fans. Swift's decision to talk about politics was a major focus of the film. It shows her, her father, and her team heatedly discussing her choice to come out in favor of Tennessee U.S. Senate candidate Bredesen. On the verge of tears, she expresses regret over not using her voice against Trump in 2016. "I can't change that...I need to be on the right side of history," she said in the documentary. 

The conversation resulted in her first political endorsement, in which she called on fans to support Bredesen in 2018 and called his opponent, Blackburn, "Trump in a wig." In 2020, a month before the presidential election, she endorsed President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris in a V Magazine article. She also posted a photo of herself holding Biden-Harris 2020 campaign cookies to social media. 

For fans, her outspokenness was consistent with the larger messaging of her Lover era. The album featured the pro-LGBTQ rainbow anthem "You Need to Calm Down," and her go at a feminist takedown of the male-dominated system, "The Man."

In the years since she's uploaded several Instagram posts about Black Lives Matter, tweeted about her terror after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and encouraged her followers to vote, resulting in 35,000 new voter registrations. 

"There are so many Swifties for Kamala because there's a real inclusiveness [to Swift's music]. Like all of Lover," continued Glick Pulito. "Her art does not lend itself to putting people down or moving backward. Loving this artist who strives to continue to make the world better, who strives to create good art, and who strives to constantly show up for her fans and herself and her family and her community — I'm not surprised that so many Swifties are committed to building a better future."

Swifties for Kamala define their eight policy stances as "equality, freedom, and safety," with nods to common sense gun reform, reproductive freedom, and a "permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas." Post Lover and Miss Americana, Swift's image aligned fairly well with these vague policy areas.

The tension between Swifties for Kamala and Taylor Swift

However, in the past couple of years, Swift, with her chart-topping albums, re-recordings, and The Eras Tour, has reached unprecedented levels of stardom, giving her unprecedented reach to millions. But she has yet to endorse Vice President Harris, a major reckoning point among Swifties for Kamala. 

Swifties for Kamala organizes over a personal identity marker, liking Swift, with no inherent political attachments. They are also organizing around Swift, someone who can attach herself to policies and people outside of Swifties for Kamala's goals, further complicating their group. Unlike other interest-based affinity groups, like the public transit-oriented Train Lovers for Kamala, there's no apparent policy the group can immediately agree on, and Swift's recent public actions don't necessarily align with Harris' campaign. 

For example, last October, Swift officially reached billionaire status and came under fire for her use of a private jet and its environmental impact. Meanwhile, Swifties for Kamala lists "climate change is taken seriously" as one of their eight policies. In a recent public outing, Swift was photographed hugging Trump supporter Brittany Mahomes at the U.S. Open, much to the disappointment of many of her fans. 

"What would they need to get our vote? They don't need to have a favorite Taylor Swift song, but it certainly helps,"

Swift's lifestyle appears increasingly inconsistent with the political change one might expect a digitally active fan to want. But, as Henry reminded Mashable, "Swifties are not a monolith." 

The diversity among fans calls into question the effectiveness of Swifties as a voting coalition, though. None of the organizers had specific ideas when pressed on how a politician might "court" the Swiftie vote as part of their own campaigns. They spoke in vague terms, as believers in Vice President Harris first and foremost. Not even the dissolution of monopolies, which could be used to rally the troops as it was a central rallying point for Swifties due to Ticketmaster's fumbling of selling Eras Tour tickets, was brought up as a core tenant of Swiftie beliefs. Politicians in support of the group were more specific. Senator Warren brought up taking on corporations like Ticketmaster during the Zoom rally, and Senator Markey referenced the climate crisis. 

SEE ALSO: Meet the Swifties trying to take down Ticketmaster

"What would they need to get our vote? They don't need to have a favorite Taylor Swift song, but it certainly helps," joked Glick Pulito. 

Across their social media presence, on their website, and at the Zoom rally, Swifties for Kamala repeats, "Not affiliated with Taylor Swift," but she's still their bonding force and inspiration. 

"We're not waiting for any one person anywhere to call people to action," explained Henry. "So much of what the Swiftie community does happened organically and not because they were told you should be doing this thing."

Hayes pointed to Swift's aptly-titled third album Speak Now as a point of inspiration. "[Swift] is this force in our lives that gives us confidence to be the people that we want to be and to fight for the change we want in the world. It's not about getting her attention, but the community that we built and using that force for good," she said. 

Is fandom the future of campaigning?

Despite the political tension between Swift and her fans, the organization is still a glimpse into the potential future of fandom and politics. "One of the things that keeps [organizers] going is being in community with each other," Greenberg said of her work at Indivisible. "It's only natural that a group of people — who are brought together by their passion for and excitement around Taylor Swift — are also sustaining their political work and weaving their political work together with their excitement and passion, as members of an incredibly engaged fan community."

SEE ALSO: How fandom is shaping the 2024 presidential election

Similarly, Henry told Mashable, "It's potentially a blueprint for how we can mobilize and invest in other digital communities just as we do in geographical areas. We should be reaching out to online spaces because, for better or worse, people are more online and dependent on online spaces."

For now, the group hopes to be present at Swift's remaining U.S. tour dates in Florida, Louisiana, and Indiana before the election. Many of those are after the voter registration deadlines, so until then, Swifties for Kamala plans to focus on encouraging people to vote. "We want to remind people that every vote counts, especially since she has an upcoming date in Florida," said Hayes. 

The friendship bracelet coordinator is also set to launch her brainchild in the coming weeks, an effort known as the "You're Not Alone, Kid Campaign." Hayes says, "It's basically a motivation campaign to remind people to get to the polls and to not let motivation wane." 

Tweet may have been deleted

Hayes hopes to get volunteers in every state to make bracelets and place them around public spaces in the community. Each bracelet will have a QR code that directs the scanner to the Swifties for Kamala website, where voter information is available. On Oct. 13, the group plans to launch the campaign to the public by posting photos of the hidden bracelets to its social media accounts. It will track where the bracelets are found. 

"Getting a beer with a political candidate is a little outdated," Glick Pulito said. Now, it's about memes. It's about viral posts. It's about harnessing the power of the internet, as Swifities for Kamala does so well. "It makes [politics] more accessible, and the more accessible you make it, the more people are gonna engage with it."

Like it or not, fandoms are a central part of digital natives' lives. Swifties for Kamala are harnessing that power for the election—friendship bracelets and all. It doesn't matter who Swift endorses; look what she already made them do.

GET A FREE POWER TOOL WITH PURCHASE: As of Jan. 28, The Home Depot is offering free power tools of up to $219 in value with the purchase of select tool combo kits. Shop brands like Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Dewalt to take advantage of the deal and get a free tool — like a brushless jigsaw or a brushless planar tool — with your purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot / Ryobi / Milwaukee / Dewalt / Makita The Home Depot Power Tool and Battery Deals Get a free tool when you purchase a power tool or battery combo pack. Shop Now

Whether you're a DIY-dad, forever fixing up your home, or a contractor out on the job each day, tools and battery packs are crucial to getting the job finished. If you need to re-up on your work kit, it's a great time to buy.

As of Jan. 28, the Home Depot is currently offering free power tools of up to $219 in value with combo deals from brands like Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ryobi, and Makita. To take advantage of this deal, shop from select combo deals, then click the 'Free' box next to your product — you'll find it on the right of the page. Once you do, you'll be able to scroll through a selection of free tools that are available with your purchase and add the tool to your cart.

SEE ALSO: Get $60 off the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Best Buy's 48-hour flash sale

Each brand offers an array of free tool types. We saw the biggest value from Dewalt, which included freebies up to $219 in value, including a brushless jigsaw and brushless planar tool. On the other hand, Ryobi offered the lowest overhead price to take advantage of the deal, with a $99 battery pack bundle that gets you a free tool with up to $79 of value.

Whether you're looking for new batteries to keep your drills running, or you need a variety of new tools that will open up new sources of work, this Home Depot tool sale offers a great opportunity to maximize your tool purchasing power.

SAVE $119.01: As of Jan. 28, get the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for just $179.99. That's 43% off and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Woot Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $179.99 at Woot
$299.00 Save $119.01 Get Deal

Ready to upgrade your current pair of earbuds? Or maybe you don't have a pair and want to snag some for a great deal. Whatever the case may be, if you're in the market, you can't go wrong with earbuds from Bose. And thanks to a deal that's going on today from Woot, you can score an affordable model that you'll want to use everywhere from the gym to relaxing in bed at night.

As of Jan. 28, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are $179.99 at Woot, down from their usual price of $299. That's a discount of 43% and the lowest price we've seen.

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a little different than some of the others on the market. They rest on the outside of your ears instead of giving you a perfect seal. That lets them direct sound toward your inner ear so you can still enjoy music and podcasts without blocking out all the sounds you need to hear.

This design makes the Ultra Open Earbuds excellent for working out, running, or taking a walk — they're perfect for activity. They're also water-resistant in the event you sweat or take a short dip in the pool (but don't dunk your head under the water). All this, and they still sound excellent. They might take a little getting used to, but they're very much worth it, especially at this price.

SHOP E-BOOKS AT BOOKSHOP.ORG: Bookshop.org launched its e-book store, and every purchase supports local, independent bookstores.

Shop ebooks on Bookshop.org 'Onyx Storm' by Rebecca Yarros $14.99 at Bookshop.org Shop Now 'We Do Not Part' by Han Kang $13.99 at Bookshop.org Shop Now 'Intermezzo' by Sally Rooney $14.99 at Bookshop.org Shop Now

Launched in 2020, Bookshop.org's mission has always been supporting local bookstores. Every purchase directly supports the local bookstore of your choice (even if you're across the country from your favorite hometown shop) while still allowing you the freedom to shop online. Today, the platform has a new way for you to shop local online — as of Jan. 28, Bookshop.org has launched its e-book platform, empowering independent bookstores to sell digital copies.

If you've been looking for a Kindle Store alternative, Bookshop.org is offering you just that. Now you can buy e-books on Bookshop.org's digital platform to read on your smartphone or tablet. You can purchase e-books directly from the Bookshop.org or the Bookshop.org e-book app and read them on the app or directly on your web browser (not on Kindle).

SEE ALSO: 1,000 romance books are available for free in the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day

Bookshop.org's e-book platform is now live. You can purchase new releases like the much anticipated Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros or bestsellers like Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. There's also a selection of $3 e-books. Make sure you select a bookstore of your choice to support; otherwise, your purchase profits will go toward a split pool for all bookstore participants.

SAVE $13.98: The 40-ounce Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler in pink Valentine's Day shades like Zinnia, Camilla, and Bayberry Ombre are on sale at Amazon for just $25.97, down from the normal price of $39.95. That's a 35% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hydro Flask Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler (40-ounce, select colorways) $25.97 at Amazon
$39.95 Save $13.98 Get Deal

We're about two weeks away from Valentine's Day on Feb. 14 which means it's time to start shopping. To avoid any stress of shipping delays or missed package delivery, we're in an ideal week to snag all those pretty pink gifts, for all of the Valentine's in your life. If your partner, mom, sister, or best friend could use some hydration motivation, check out this great gifting option at Amazon that's on a stellar discount.

As of Jan. 28, the 40-ounce Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler in fun Valentine's Day colorways like Zinnia, Camilla, and Bayberry Ombre are on sale at Amazon for only $25.97, marked down from the standard price of $39.95. That's a 35% discount that'll save you $13.98 on the stainless steel bottle.

Hydration is one of life's simple success hacks. It's oh so simple to drink water, but it's also impossible to stay hydrated. Somehow, almost all of us tend to forget that we need water (and plenty of it) to thrive. If your Valentine tends to always be parched, gifting a stylish Hydro Flask is a thoughtful present.

SEE ALSO: Lego just dropped a Twilight-inspired build that'll arrive in time for Valentine's Day

Today's deal extends to colorways that are sure to satisfy the pink-themed holiday. And we love the large, 40-ounce capacity.

The Hyrdro Flask comes with an ergonomically-designed handle and a leak-resistant lid with flexible straw. It's also safe to clean in the dishwasher. Plus, the double-wall vacuum insulation means your chilled drinks will stay cold longer.

If you've been browsing for a thoughtful Valentine's Day gift that your sweetheart will use everyday, the Hydro Flash Travel Tumbler is perfect. And thanks to the sale price at Amazon, you'll be saving 35% off the normal price. A sweet deal for everyone involved.

The little-known artificial intelligence firm has emphasized research, even as it emerged as the brainchild of a hedge fund.

U.S. tech companies are known to stockpile as much user data as they can, but DeepSeek's privacy policy makes Meta, Google, and OpenAI look tame. 

Over the past few days, China-based AI startup DeepSeek has catapulted into tech consciousness with an open-source model that many claim is just as good, if not better, than OpenAI models and API costs for a fraction of the price. DeepSeek R1 might be significantly cheaper to run, but your privacy and security are the actual cost.

Looking through the fine print of DeepSeek's Privacy Policy, numerous red flags worth examining before you sign up.

SEE ALSO: DeepSeek AI: What you need to know about the ChatGPT rival DeepSeek's collected data is subject to local Chinese laws

"The personal information we collect from you may be stored on a server located outside of the country where you live. We store the information we collect in secure servers located in the People's Republic of China," the privacy policy reads.

In another section about how DeepSeek shares user data, the company states that it may share user information to "comply with applicable law, legal process, or government requests."

Tweet may have been deleted

As with the ongoing TikTok ban — initially enacted due to concerns about privacy, national security, surveillance, and propaganda — DeepSeek's privacy policy raises concerns about a U.S. foreign adversary's ability to access U.S. user data. Users are familiar with the massive amounts of data U.S. tech companies collect, but China's cybersecurity laws make it much easier for the government to demand data from its tech companies. Additionally, DeepSeek users have reported instances of censorship, when it comes to criticizing the Chinese government or asking about Tiananmen Square.

DeepSeek collects extensive data, including keystrokes

Not only does DeepSeek collect "text or audio input, prompt, uploaded files, feedback, chat history, or other content that [the user] provide[s] to our model and Services," but it also collects information from your device, including "device model, operating system, keystroke patterns or rhythms, IP address, and system language."

Tweet may have been deleted

Companies with AI models like Google, Meta, and OpenAI collect similar troves of information, but their privacy policies do not mention collecting keystrokes. There's also the added issue that DeepSeek sends your user data straight to Chinese servers.

Tweet may have been deleted DeepSeek retains user information for as long as they want

DeepSeek's privacy policy states that the company retains user information "for as long as necessary to provide our Services and for the other purposes set out in this Privacy Policy." 

For context, Google Gemini could can retain your data for up to three years, so, not great. OpenAI saves your deleted data for 30 days or 90 days for Operator. However, Meta also has an indefinite data retention period in the U.S.

If knowing that Meta saves your data indefinitely makes you uneasy, DeepSeek's policy is even more of a cybersecurity red flag because of China's governmental authority over its private sector. An undefined retention period exposes user data to even more risk to security breaches.

Other DeepSeek privacy and security questions left unanswered

In DeepSeek's privacy policy, there's no mention of the security of its servers. There's nothing about whether data is encrypted, either stored or in transmission, and zero information about safeguards to prevent unauthorized access.

DeepSeek also doesn't say whether users can opt out of sharing their data to train its models. Although Google and Meta have this in common with the LLM, which is to say it's not completely unfounded, it's always worth mentioning: Whatever you share with the chatbot, you share with the internet — and maybe the Chinese government in this instance.

Mashable has reached out to DeepSeek for further clarification about its policies and will update this story with a response.

The oil company plans to build natural gas power plants that will be directly connected to data centers used by technology companies for artificial intelligence and other services.

Visible from space, the world’s largest iceberg is headed towards a remote Antarctic island, threatening local animals.

A23a, the trillion-ton megaberg, which is 40 meters tall, twice as broad as London, and viewable through satellites, could either collide with the island of South Georgia, or get trapped in ocean currents revolving around it. Past iceberg collisions on the island, which is home to King penguins and about half of the world’s population of Southern elephant seals, have led to mass animal deaths due to starvation.

A23a first broke off from Antarctica’s Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986, when it measured around 3,900 square kilometers, and some of its sides extended up to 400 meters tall. The warming of waters near Antarctica have been shrinking it slowly, and scientists expect it to eventually break into multiple vast pieces.