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If there’s a masked ball in a Regency romance, there’s always going to be mistaken identities and secret trysts aplenty. And that’s what’s in store for Bridgerton Season 4, which released a sneak peek today.

Netflix has released a glimpse of the coming season that's all about Benedict Bridgerton, shown as part of a Valentine's Day panel with showrunner Jess Brownell, stars Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha (Sophie Baek), and Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte).

In the clip, you'll spy all your favourites back in their costumes and elaborate wigs, but there's particular focus on a masked ball and the line "Don't worry, I will not tell my mother." Is it warm in here?

The first three seasons of Bridgerton are now streaming on Netflix. Season 4's release date is TBC.

Have you ever been frustrated by a friend or family member who never remembers things you've told them? That shouldn't happen with Google's Gemini chat bot anymore.

Google announced in a company blog post that Gemini can now recall past conversations you've had with it in order to enhance its responses in future ones.

It can summarize previous conversations or at least reference them when relevant to your current query. This should reduce the need to search through old chats you've had with Gemini, according to Google.

SEE ALSO: How to turn off Gemini in Gmail

You can also delete your chat history, if you'd prefer. Right now, this feature is only available to Gemini Advanced subscribers, and only in English.

Google says it will roll out to Google Workspace Business and Enterprise customers, as well as those who speak unspecified other languages, soon.

That's all fine, just as long as it doesn't use your previous conversations to fabricate facts about cheese.

On dating apps, everyone is trying to put their best face forward. For some, that's easy — maybe they're genetically gifted, have a knack for taking great selfies, or have friends who are photographers. But for many, filters and editing apps have become a go-to, even if they only use them for minor touch-ups. Now, with AI photo generators rising in popularity, I'm worried we're getting too far from reality.

At a dinner with friends last month, the conversation turned from AI to the fact that photos on dating apps don't always match a person's appearance. Sometimes, it's easy to tell, as they look different in every shot. Other times, it's much more challenging. That gave me an idea. What if I were to take an AI-generated headshot of myself and add it to my dating profile? After all, it's me — but also not me. Would people notice or call me out for it? 

The use of AI-generated photos on dating apps is not a new one, there’s an AI tool that creates photos specifically for dating apps, and people have started noticing AI-generated photos on other people’s profiles. Hinge's parent company Match Group declined an interview about whether it's aware of AI-generated photos being used on profiles and if it's doing anything about it. Instead, a representative said that Tinder, which is also owned by Match Group, is working on "an AI-powered tool to help select photos for profiles," which sounds similar to the one Bumble already uses.

To understand the appeal of using AI-generated photos in dating profiles, I decided to give it a try. And the result was soul-crushing. I, naively, never thought that the AI photo would be so popular compared to my other, real photos.

The rise of body dysmorphia

One of my favorite subreddits to peruse is r/InstagramReality. Redditors post edited or filtered photos and videos of other people — celebrities, influencers, and normal folks — they have found on social media, usually next to ones of what the person looks like in real life. 

Often, the editing or filtering is comically overdone and obvious. But, sometimes, Redditors have to point out where things warp or changes have been made to show that it’s not real.

It’s scary how rampant and excessive editing is getting. The comments in the subreddit often touch on body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) because, really, how else could people put some of these photos out there and think they look normal?

“It is actually a pretty common psychiatric disorder,” Evan Rieder, a board-certified psychiatrist and dermatologist in New York City, told Mashable of BDD.

About two to three percent of the population has BDD, said Rieder, and it is most likely under-diagnosed because people don’t always bring up their concerns to a mental health practitioner — and aestheticians don’t always ask why someone wants to change something. “They will basically fixate on something that is invisible or barely perceptible to the outside observer,” Rieder said. Mostly, this is the skin and hair; muscles are also significant for men. 

BDD isn’t just about poor body image, either — which is often influenced by societal ideals or because of how a person has been treated. It is a serious condition that is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. At some point, an individual with BDD has performed a repetitive behavior such as mirror checking or reassurance seeking, according to the manual’s fifth and most recent edition, or a mental act such as comparing their appearance with that of others.

“In the ‘90s, the only person that was able to give filtered images was, say, the art director at Vogue magazine, and they would make everybody look perfect.

“Now you have these apps, and you can swipe away all your imperfections and give this hyper-idealized version of yourself that's there for public consumption,” said Rieder. “People often make themselves look unrealistic or cartoony. And they think that some of these things are possible.”

How I generated my AI photos

You may have already heard about Remini, an app that was popular earlier this year when its AI-generated photos of people's potential future children started popping up on Instagram and TikTok. People have been using it this past week to generate '90s-style yearbook photos, as the EPIK app that originated the trend has sometimes been overloaded.

I decided to use Remini for my experiment rather than an app like Lensa, as the AI photos it produces look more realistic (albeit edited). It also has a ton of options for different backgrounds and clothes. To start, I had to sign up for a 1-week free trial, pick my gender: female, male, or other, and upload at least eight photos of myself. I chose two pictures from the past few years, then took the rest over the next few days in various locations and outfits from different angles.

These are four of the photos I used to train the AI model and generate the AI headshots in Remini. Credit: Saira Mueller

Once the photos were uploaded, I chose my first “model image” — the style the AI bases its generated pictures on — and had to wait about 17 minutes for it to work (the first time you generate after uploading photos takes longer, after that it drops down to about three minutes each time).

SEE ALSO: Hinge reveals the top 25 successful prompts

Then, it was a case of repetition to get photos that were anatomically and physically correct — the AI is bad at things like hands and generating necklaces, sometimes completely changed my body shape and weight, and one time even put my arm through a wall — and that also didn’t alter my facial features too much. I spent an embarrassing amount of time generating these photos. Ultimately, I chose four I wanted to use on my dating profile.

The four AI-generated headshots from Remini that I picked to use on my Hinge profile. Credit: Saira Mueller

The experiment, I decided, would be done on the dating app Hinge, as commenting on people’s photos and written prompts is at its core, and users still do so regularly. I put the images on my profile for one week each, rotating them out every Monday, alongside five of my actual, non-AI generated photos to see how they would stack up — tallying every like and comment.

The reality (pun intended) of the situation

I uploaded the first photo with the blue turtleneck at 10 p.m. Within 14 hours, I had five likes — all for that photo. Two days later, 60 percent of my likes were for that photo (the remaining 40 being split between my other five shots). By the end of that first week, the AI image had 17 likes and two comments. My non-AI photos, together, got 14 likes and two comments.

These are the five non-AI photos from my Hinge dating profile. Credit: Saira Mueller

That trend continued for the next three weeks, with the AI photos consistently performing better than (or at least equal to) the other photos collectively. If anyone noticed something off about the AI photos (for example, my ears disappear, and the irises aren't spherical in any of them), they didn't comment on it.

Here are six of the comments from men on Hinge about some of my AI-generated headshots. Credit: Saira Mueller

It was, frankly, off-putting to see these generic photos outperform the ones that show the real me — that show my personality, my interests, and my life. Yes, my written prompts got a healthy dose of likes and comments throughout those weeks. Still, it’s hard to remove the physical aspect of a dating profile from that equation — even on an app that foregoes swiping.

The reason the AI photos were likely so well received was summed up perfectly by ChatGPT.

I asked ChatGPT what the four AI-generated headshots have in common. This was its answer. Credit: Saira Mueller

When I asked it to point out the two AI-generated images out of four photos from my dating profile, ChatGPT said that it can be "challenging to definitively ascertain which ones are AI-generated based purely on visual inspection" but that "some common indicators of AI-generated photos can include perfect symmetry or too-perfect features."

The struggle between seeing perfect features all around you and looking in the mirror and only noticing all of your perceived imperfections is something I've dealt with since I was young. Perhaps it was because I began reading women's magazines at 12. Maybe it's because I was bullied endlessly around the same time due to my skin color, height, and acne, thanks to puberty. It could also be due to my Asian mother, who commented on everything from my hips to my eyebrows for as long as I can remember. Part of it is probably due to social media.

There’s nothing worse for a perfectionist with diagnosed anxiety than having a running tally of all the ways you fall short of your ideal physical self. I asked my housemate about three of the perceived issues on my list, things I’ve struggled to accept for a long time, and she said she has never noticed them — and couldn't see the issues even at the moment when I was sitting in front of her telling her about them.

Looking at the same thing over and over has an effect on you. Rieder explained it as the Mere Exposure Effect. While repeatedly noticing your perceived imperfections in the mirror can have a negative impact, so can the social media you consume.

“The more you see something, the more you find it to be attractive,” said Rieder of the Mere Exposure Effect. “The more images I see of glass skin, the more I’m going to be desensitized to it, and the more I'm going to think it's less strange, and the more I'm going to find it attractive.” Glass skin, for those who are unfamiliar, is a Korean beauty trend in which an individual’s skin has the appearance of glass due to how even-toned, poreless, and luminous it looks.

“Imagine this sort of information overload, showing you what you want to see or what you're thinking about — and then you're clicking on an image, and [social media is] showing you more and more and more of that,” Rieder said. “That can actually warp what you find to be attractive. And we see that all the time in the aesthetic fields.”

The recent shift towards magazines, brands, and shows like Naked Attraction putting natural, unedited bodies out there is a good step. And while I don’t recommend putting AI-generated photos on social media, let alone dating apps (seriously, don’t do it), I can understand why it’s an appealing concept.

It’s taken me a long time to love myself for who I am — something I’m still working on. And while I often wish we lived in a world where editing apps and filters didn’t exist, it’s our reality, and we have to be more aware of how it affects us.

Now that the AI-generated photos are off my dating profile, I get excited every time I see a notification. I know that the person who is interested likes me for who I am — no filters, no editing, and no AI.

You know that feeling of anguish when you’re trying to think of the perfect opening line on a dating app? Or when a match replies but you’re stressing at work and simply don’t have the capacity to think of something witty-but-chill-but-hilarious? Well, there’s an app for that now.

Welcome to the world of AI dating assistant apps. No, this isn't about fake photos or virtual girlfriends. Instead, apps like Rizz and WingAI are generating opening lines and conversation replies – all you have to do is upload screenshots of the profiles or messages. You can select different conversation tones from "NSFW" to "casual", and the aim is to remove some of the burden of modern dating.

Feeling uneasy? Think this marks the end of authenticity in the sorry minefield that is already the online dating scene? That it’ll never take off? Well, actually, a 2024 report by dating app Flirtini shows that a whopping 55 percent of people have already used AI, such as ChatGPT, to generate messages to send to dates. A 2024 study by McAfee shows that over one in four Americans (30 percent of men, 27 percent of women) also already use AI to enhance their dating profile – the next venture for Rizz and WingAI, and a feature already available on YourMoveAI.

Why are people using AI dating assistant apps?

So, who’s actually using these apps then? Have you been reeled in by AI without knowing? And is it really as creepy as it seems? I speak to regular AI dating app users and other daters to find out whether it’s the next frontier of modern dating. 

Artem, a 35-year-old accountant from Miami has been on Rizz for around eight months and uses it to replace pestering the group chat. "My friends are much funnier than me, so I’d often workshop clever responses with them for a match," he says. "But obviously, I can’t lean on them all the time and the AI app is available 24/7."

SEE ALSO: Why some people on dating apps just want to be 'pen pals'

As for how it works, for memorable openers he uploads a screenshot of his match’s dating profile and chooses the tone of "Rizz" – a relatively spicy, cheeky mode. The app suggests a selection of opening lines relating to the profile and Artem hits refresh, or adds in key words to focus on, until he finds one that suits. For help with conversations already on the go, he uploads a screenshot of the exchange and receives suggestions for his reply. Artem rarely copies and pastes directly, instead he uses the suggestions to get his own creative juices flowing.

"The other day it gave me the opening line of, 'If you had a third nipple, where would it be?' which I obviously didn't use, but it got me thinking," he says. "The girl I was talking to had loads of tattoos, so I asked her, 'If you had a tattoo and you could never show anyone, what would it be?'" Another reportedly successful opener – this time, for a woman who worked for a non-profit – reads: "Hey, so I'm hosting this charity event next week for people who can't reach orgasm. If you can't cum, please let me know."

I’ll just let that sit for a bit. 

I really did try to keep an open mind, but both of those lines pretty much turned my stomach. The cringe factor is toe curling, obviously, but the sexual innuendo side is just downright uncomfortable – a consistent problem I noticed when messing about on the apps myself. Practically 99 percent of the suggestions I got were unsendable, and if I’d received them from someone else, it’d likely be an immediate block . (Notably: "Hey there, amazing mind! Your intellect is arousing, but so is that naughty tongue of yours. wink") The apps claim to be trained with the help of male and female dating coaches, but surely no woman would sign that off?

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps for introverts who prefer books to bars

Artem insists it pays off with practice, though. His main reason for loving the app is down to dating fatigue – basically burnout and exhaustion from meeting new people and it going nowhere. "There's an element of exhaustion, for sure,” he says. “Chatting with one person is cool and fun, but it can be emotionally draining when you end up speaking to five or eight people at once while you try to decide who to choose to focus on." Using Rizz means he can devote less bandwidth to coming up with the kind of clever one-liners that reap success in the Tinder world.

This echoes a wider sentiment from app daters these days – that the process has somewhat lost its sheen and is now just a means to an end. A 2024 study by Forbes Health found that 79 percent of Gen Z report dating app burnout, with women feeling it more at 80 percent compared to 74 percent of males.

"If I have one more, ‘Hey, what's up? How are you?’ conversation I'm done."

That’s why Taylor, a 30-year-old vet from Florida, uses WingAI. "If I have one more, ‘Hey, what's up? How are you?’ conversation I'm done," she says. "Using the app opens the conversation up more, in a fun way. It helps with the fatigue and makes it more interesting."

Doesn’t all of this just create more admin in the dating process, though? Apparently not. "I was already going back and forth on Google, searching for fun openers relating to certain jobs," she says, a method Artem also used to use. Taylor uses WingAI to inspire her first lines on Bumble but, like Artem, always edits the suggestion to make it sound more like her personality. "I don’t always like the ideas, but they give me an idea of where to go with it," she says. "I make sure it’s a bit of a hybrid between me and the app."

As for the authenticity of it all, Taylor thinks it’s only as inauthentic as the rest of online dating. "Dating on the apps is always fake and superficial to begin with. You match based on what someone looks like and the highly curated persona they put out there," she says. "As long as AI isn’t having the entire conversation for you, I don’t see the problem."

It's a fair point. Polishing your profile can take hours, weeks and more friends than you’ve had dates. The witty Hinge prompt that sold you on someone could easily be their bezzie mate’s humour, not theirs. There are the outright liars to consider, too: According to a recent Forbes Health survey, close to one in five adults polled claim to lie about their age, with men even more likely to tweak their numbers at 23 percent compared to 19 percentof women. Other reported fibs include income (14 percent), height (12 percent), as well as hobbies and interests (14 percent). Think of all the people paying for premium dating app accounts as well, which offer various leg-ups like sorting your potential matches by who’s most likely to be responsive – whether that’s a new member or someone active today.

"If I completely relied on the app suggestions and didn’t work in my personality then, yes, it would be an inauthentic representation of myself."

Bangalore-based Dhruv, 25, agrees with Taylor. "If I completely relied on the app suggestions and didn’t work in my personality then, yes, it would be an inauthentic representation of myself," says the UX designer who’s been using DatingAI.pro regularly for the past three months. “But I’d also screw up big time when it comes to actually meeting in-person.” He believes you can hardly trick someone into a relationship through using an AI app because texting is such a small part of building that spark – you have to meet them or speak to them at some point.

"The app is more about effective initial exchanges and assisting me to be my best self," adds Artem. "Each user is still making the decisions about what to send and what not to send. For every line I use, there might be 12 that I throw away."

Are dating AI assistants any good?

So how successful is it, actually? Dhruv claims he’s already seen drastic results: "I used to receive one to two matches per week, but after using DatingAI I’ve started receiving six or seven." This success rate is even higher than the hefty promise WingAI makes of increasing your reply rate by 250 percent. Artem feels like his success has stayed the same, but the app has grown his confidence and lowered his stress levels. He sees no shame in using the app, either. "I'm 35, so when I was in high school dating apps didn’t exist and people meeting on the internet was a huge stigma," he continues. "But now the internet and dating on the internet is our default. I don’t see why these apps wouldn’t become a normal part of the process."

But what do daters who’ve never heard of these apps think of all this? London-based Talia, 31, thought it sounded like a slippery slope in the already confusing dating game at first. "If this becomes the norm, surely it means so much extra time wasted going on dates only to find they’re nothing like they came across in their messages?" she says. After more consideration, though, she was thrilled at the prospect of more interesting conversations, but actually testing the apps left her disappointed. "If they gave genuinely good suggestions, I’d be all over it. 

I find myself in Talia’s camp. Frankly, I’m a convert to the actual concept in theory. But the current offerings just don’t hit well enough yet. There’s the price point to consider, too: YourMoveAI is £4.99 per week (scaling cheaper per month and year), WingAI and Rizz are flat fees of £6.99 and a whopping £9.99 per week, respectively.

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps and sites in August 2024

And the biggest point of all still looms large: asking a non-sentient computer program that isn’t capable of love or sex is simply not the same as asking a friend you know and trust, a real-life person who’s actually been on dates before. Plus, could these apps be teaching a whole generation of men with poor flirting or social skills that it’s normal to start off conversations with such inappropriate sexual innuendos? And it is mostly men. Rizz members are currently 66 percent male, while YourMove.AI’s rises to 85 percent and DatingAI.pro a whopping 99 percent.

If the apps can get cheaper and better, they could change the dating game. But more women, and perhaps young people who actually have game, need to be brought in to help programme the software. What do women want? Well, it’s certainly not to be asked about third nipples.

Need more proof that Elon Musk's DOGE team, apparently in charge of making the U.S. government more efficient, has no idea what they're doing?

Here goes: The DOGE.gov website, created to document the findings and changes implemented by DOGE, can apparently be edited by anyone, as the database access has been left wide open.

The first to report this was 404Media, who spoke with two unnamed security researchers confirming the security flaw — if it indeed can be called that, as it appears that there's no "security" of any kind implemented here.

SEE ALSO: Cybersecurity group sues DOGE over data access

As of this writing, two pages on the DOGE.gov site have been defaced, with one saying "THESE "EXPERTS" LEFT THEIR DATABASE OPEN - roro" and the other "This is a joke of a .gov site."

Sigh. Credit: DOGE.gov/unknown hacker

404Media's sources say that the DOGE.gov site was seemingly built on a Cloudflare Pages site that's not hosted on government servers. The examples listed above were created by one of the outlet's sources as to illustrate how insecure the site is.

"Feels like it was completely slapped together. Tons of errors and details leaked in the page source code," they said.

DOGE is a new initiative, started by Trump's administration and led by Musk, tasked to reduce inefficiencies and modernize the federal government. Despite the complex and delicate nature of this task, DOGE has apparently been staffed by college grads with little to no government experience.

Just a few days ago, the newly created Waste.gov site was hidden behind a password after going live with a default WordPress template. Great going so far, dudes.

The National Park Service has removed all mentions of the words "transgender" and "queer" from its web page dedicated to the Stonewall National Monument, a site that marks a landmark moment for LGBTQ rights quite literally led by transgender and gender non-conforming people.

The site's online hub for the New York visitor centre and park honouring the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a turning point for LGBTQ activism and civil rights in America, now only makes reference to "LGB civil rights," omitting the T and Q representing transgender and queer people in the acronym.

The changes come after anti-LGBTQ executive orders signed by President Donald Trump upon his inauguration, one stating that the federal government now only recognises two sexes, male and female, which medical and legal experts have criticised for biological inaccuracy and ignorance of sexual and gender diversity, and erasure of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people in America. The Trump administration has been systematically erasing LGBTQ mentions and content from the White House website and federal agency websites.

SEE ALSO: Resources for people worried about Trump's anti-LGBTQ executive orders

Using the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, Mashable can see the NPS' Stonewall National Monument site has been updated within the last two days.

Here's what it used to look like on Feb. 12:

Credit: Mashable screenshot: National Park Service

And here's what it looks like after Feb. 13:

Credit: Mashable screenshot: National Park Service

The removal of mentions of transgender and queer people from the NPS' Stonewall National Monument website marks a dark, infuriating, unjust day for LGBTQ rights and representation in America. It's a cruel, calculated move that quite literally erases transgender and queer people from a site dedicated to a historical moment of resistance led by trans people of colour and genderfluid people including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.

"This blatant act of erasure not only distorts the truth of our history, but it also dishonors the immense contributions of transgender individuals — especially transgender women of color — who were at the forefront of the Stonewall Riots and the broader fight for LGBTQ+ rights," said organisers at NYC non-profit Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative and the Stonewall Inn (which is physically part of the National Monument) in a statement.

"This decision to erase the word ‘transgender’ is a deliberate attempt to erase our history and marginalize the very people who paved the way for many victories we have achieved as a community. It is a direct attack on transgender people, especially transgender women of color, who continue to face violence, discrimination, and erasure at every turn."

"This decision to erase the word ‘transgender’ is a deliberate attempt to erase our history and marginalize the very people who paved the way for many victories we have achieved as a community." - Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative and the Stonewall Inn

GLAAD also published a statement, describing the decision as "yet another example of the Trump administration’s blatant attempts to discriminate against and erase the legacies of transgender and queer Americans."

"The Stonewall Uprising – a monumental moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights – would not have happened without the leadership of transgender and gender non-conforming people," the statement continued. "The tireless work of Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and countless other trans women of color paved the way and continue to inspire us. You can try to erase our history, but we will never forget those who came before us and we will continue to fight for all those who will come after us.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul took to Twitter to call the move "cruel and pettty."

Tweet may have been deleted

"Transgender people play a critical role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights — and New York will never allow their contributions to be erased," she wrote.

It’s a Valentine’s Day Special!

Yellowjackets Melanie Lynskey and Sophie Nélisse reveal the depths of Shauna's rage and how much deeper it gets in Season 3.

The first two episodes ofYellowjackets Season 3 are now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime, with new episodes weekly.

Last summer, Tinder announced Photo Selector, an AI tool to help pick out the best pictures for your dating app profile. But privacy experts warn that there may be risks associated with the tool.

Photo Selector works by taking a photo of yourself for facial recognition and allowing Tinder to see your photo roll. If you consent to this feature, Tinder gets access to your biometric data (unique physical characteristics in the selfie), and access to your on-device photos. What happens next?

SEE ALSO: Beware of AI tools being advertised on Facebook. They could be malware in disguise. Tinder's use of biometric (and other) data

The good news is, there are some privacy positives about this feature. One, as Tinder explains in its Photo Selector FAQ, is that the feature works on-device. This means that it doesn't take your photos to an external or cloud drive.

As for your biometric data, Tinder states in the FAQ that, "Tinder doesn't collect, store, access or otherwise receive any biometrics generated from your selfie video, profile photo, or photos on your camera roll. Instead, everything takes place entirely on your device, and all biometric data used as part of this feature is deleted from your device once you exit the feature."

Tinder also doesn't collect (store) all the photos on your roll. Rather, it only collects photos that you choose to put on your profile.

Rory Mir, associate director of community organizing at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), told Mashable that the deletion of biometric data after use does mitigate risks associated with sharing this data. Still, dating app users — and people online in general — should always be cautious when sharing sensitive data like this, Mir said.

"You only have one face," they continued. "You don't want your face print to wind up in a server permanently and [be] used against you in another context." 

Sharing biometrics is currently an opt-in, consent-driven feature at Tinder. The EFF fights for strong privacy protections like this in the private business sector: The ability for consumers to choose to opt-in, that the collection of this data is limited for its intended purpose, and that users can withdraw at any time. (EFF also fights for government use to be fully banned.)

Mir questioned whether Tinder collected metadata or telemetry data, as it wasn't clear in its Privacy Policy. Metadata is "data about the data" — like how many photos are on someone's camera roll — while telemetry data is that of the processes of the app and how it runs. 

A Tinder spokesperson told Mashable that it doesn't collect telemetry data on users using the Photo Selector tool. In terms of metadata, the app collects "limited analytics data." An example the spokesperson gave was that Tinder collects data about how long the tool took to suggest photos, and how many photos were recommended. 

Another general risk Mir identified was the normalization of sharing biometrics. They advised people to avoid sharing biometrics, which would mean avoiding using this feature (and Tinder photo verification using a video selfie). 

What about the Photo Selector AI?

Field chief privacy officer at privacy tech platform Transcend — and former privacy program manager at Tinder — Ron De Jesus said it was notable that Tinder didn't mention whether it trained its Photo Selector AI on user photos in its FAQ.

"There's no mention of how user personal data might be used to enhance or train that AI that's supporting the Photo Selector tool," De Jesus told Mashable. 

In the age of AI, there are concerns that big tech companies like Meta may utilize customer data to train AI models, thus producing generative content based on what humans have put online.

Tinder's spokesperson told Mashable that user photos are not used to train Photo Selector or the algorithms that power it, and that photos are recommended based on Tinder's proprietary algorithms.

This is also good news, especially in the dating app space. Singles share a wealth of their personal data when they use these apps, and sometimes their data is at risk — like when Bumble, Hinge, and other apps had to patch a location vulnerability. Ultimately, dating apps have a great responsibility because of the amount and type of sensitive data they hold, De Jesus said. It seems that, at present, Tinder is mitigating these risks.

UPDATE: Aug. 7, 2024, 2:11 p.m. EDT This story has been corrected from its original version to reflect Ron De Jesus's former title at Tinder.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, February 14, 2025:

AcrossWhat each knuckle represents in a famous mnemonic device

• The answer is Month.

Best Picture nominee starring Mikey Madison

• The answer is Anora.

Something set on a microwave

• The answer is Timer.

"Here's to love!," e.g.

• The answer is Toast.

Burnt ___ (barbecue tidbits)

• The answer is Ends.

DownNot glossy, as a photo

• The answer is Matte.

Publication with the headline "History Sighs, Repeats Itself," with "The"

• The answer is Onion.

Wanderer

• The answer is Nomad.

Lock of hair

• The answer is Tress.

Comedian Kevin (with a name that's fitting for Valentine's Day)

• The answer is Hart.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Alessio Figalli studies optimal transport, a field of math that ranges from the movements of clouds to the workings of chatbots.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's World Network recently reported more than one in four people admit to flirting with a chatbot "either for fun or unknowingly." What constitutes unknowingly flirting? We have no idea, but Mashable's senior culture reporter Christianna Silva and tech reporter Cecily Mauran sat down to debate the modern-age-old question: Is dating an AI chatbot considered cheating?

Firefly Aerospace's moon-bound spacecraft has provided the closest thing to a reflecting pool in space, showing Earth as an imposing monument, stacked on top of another Earth. 

The illusion is a new photo taken earlier this week by the Blue Ghost lander, expected to attempt a touchdown on the moon on March 2. The image showcases two blue marbles, thanks to its mirror-smooth solar panel. 

The faint dot above Earth, which can be seen in the uncropped image below, is actually the moon, a destination to which it's since gotten much closer. Also pictured is the spacecraft's X-band antenna and a NASA instrument intended to capture the first global view of Earth's magnetic field.

Blue Ghost completed its translunar injection, a maneuver that puts the spacecraft on a moon-bound trajectory, on Feb. 8.

"It's a very precisely timed shot," said Joseph Marlin, deputy chief engineer, in a video update on the mission. "Think of it as kind of throwing to someone who's running across the field ahead of you. You have to kind of lead the shot."

SEE ALSO: Think this space station and moon photo is AI? Meet the photographer. This is the mission trajectory plan for Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander. Credit: Firefly Aerospace graphic

Firefly's lander, originally scheduled to lift off in late 2024, is the first NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services mission of the year. The program has invested $2.6 billion in contracts with vendors from the private sector to help deliver instruments to the moon and send back crucial data. 

The company is carrying 10 experiments for the space agency. NASA wants to see a regular cadence of moon missions to prepare for astronaut-led Artemis expeditions in 2027 or later.

In an uncropped image, the moon is visible as a faint dot above Earth. Credit: Firefly Aerospace

After escaping Earth's gravitational pull, the journey takes about four days to arrive at the moon. But Firefly intends to spend a couple of weeks in lunar orbit before dropping Blue Ghost, named after an exotic type of firefly, to the surface. The procedure to descend is expected to take about one hour.

The mission seems to be going smoothly, but the team hasn't encountered the hardest part yet. Landing on the moon is onerous. The moon's exosphere provides virtually no drag to slow a spacecraft down as it approaches the ground. Furthermore, there are no GPS systems on the moon to help guide a craft to its landing spot. Then there's the fact that everything is about six times tippier on the moon to overcome.

So far just one company (as opposed to space agency), Intuitive Machines, has made the robotic journey all the way through lunar touchdown. Its craft landed sideways near the moon's south pole in February 2024, still managing to operate from its awkward position.

Look, Paddington in Peru is no Paddington 2, but what is? With that sequel, co-writer/director Paul King cooked up the perfect blend of physical comedy, sugary sweetness, madcap adventures, and just a dash of thrilling danger. It was the rare movie that could get a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, after the first two Paddington movies, King and co-writer Simon Farnaby then left the Brown family behind to tackle the wonder that was Wonka. In their absence, this sequel was entrusted to music video director Dougal Wilson, who makes his feature debut with Paddington in Peru. And what a debut! 

Rather than trying to recapture lightning in a bottle with a third adventure set in London, Paddington in Peru returns the eponymous bear to his roots in the Amazon jungle. This setting opens up thrilling new possibilities, as the Brown family becomes the fish out of water while Paddington meets new friends and foes, played by such cinema luminaries as Academy Award–nominee Antonio Banderas and Academy Award–winner Olivia Colman. Together with much of the original cast, this sequel delivers fresh fun and a valuable reminder of the power of Paddington. 

Paddington in Peru is a wild goose chase through the Amazon jungle. Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Imelda Staunton, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, and Ben Whishaw star as the Brown Family in "Paddington in Peru." Credit: Studio Canal / Peter Mountain

Immigrant bear Paddington Brown has successfully settled into the United Kingdom, achieving his British passport! And it’s well-timed, as an urgent letter from Darkest Peru alerts him that his Aunt Lucy is unwell. Ever at his side, the Brown family follows him to the Home for Retired Bears, where a jubilant nun known as Reverend Mother (Colman) informs them that Lucy has gone off into the jungle on a curious quest. To find her, they'll call on the help of a debonair captain, Hunter Cabot (Banderas), and his plucky teen daughter, Gina (Carla Tous). 

What adventures lie ahead of them? Well, there will be wild rapids, piranhas, and booby traps, along with marmalade, family bonding, and a well-timed hard stare. Returning as the voice of Paddington, Ben Whishaw is unceasingly adorable, while his returning castmates — including Imelda Staunton, Hugh Bonneville, Samuel Joslin, and Madeleine Harris — are reliably winsome. But the casting of the wild new characters makes Paddington in Peru a standout instead of just another sequel. 

Olivia Colman is deranged perfection in Paddington in Peru.  Olivia Colman stars as the Reverend Mother in "Paddington in Peru." Credit: Studio Canal / Peter Mountain

Leaping from the snarky comedy of Peep Show to furrowed-brow crime-drama Broadchurch with ease, Colman has long shown an almost offensively dizzying range as an actress. So, when she shows up in Paddington in Peru with a nun's habit and an alarmingly wide smile, there's an intoxicating promise in the glint in her eye. Things will get wild. 

Reverend Mother could be an odd but wonderful human, destined to help Paddington in his rescue mission as the tough-shelled but kindhearted Knuckles did in Paddington 2! Or she could be a deeply eccentric villain in the vein of Paddington's overzealous taxidermist (Nicole Kidman) or Paddington 2's dangerously egotistical thespian (Hugh Grant). But it almost doesn't matter where her character will go, because of how intensely she sinks her teeth into the bouncy comedy of this film series.

In a rousing song number that plays like a cheeky parody of Sound of Music, Colman’s nun throws a full-sized guitar in the air so she might spin about, the mountains of Peru her towering, gorgeous backdrop. The guitar soars high above her and out of frame for an inconceivable amount of time, as if gravity has no hold on this Reverend Mother. Then just as she stops spinning and looks dead into the camera at us, her audience, it plunges back into frame and snugly into her grip. Some might consider Paddington in Peru a kids movie, but it was the grown-ups who roared with laughter and applause at this early bit of Colman meets Paddington brilliance. 

Antonio Banderas gives us the gift of getting weird with it.  Antonio Banderas stars in "Paddington in Peru." Credit: Studio Canal / Peter Mountain

Like Colman, Banderas has a filmography that can give you whiplash, moving from the lurid and shocking dramas of Pedro Almodóvar (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, The Skin I Live In, Pain and Glory) to the snarling action of Desperado to his ongoing string of dynamic kids' movies, from Spy Kids to Shrek 2 to The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge out of Water and now Paddington in Peru. As he did in the underseen Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Banderas smoothly swans into the role of a man of adventure. But rather than giving a spicy sex appeal, he leans into an almost vaudevillian performance, broad and bonkers. He not only plays the captain who cruises down the Amazon River but also a handful of this captain's dynamic ancestors. 

Donning a collection of wigs, prosthetics, and distinctive costumes, Banderas gamely creates a legacy of lunacy, from a snarling Spanish conquistador to a tunnel-visioned missionary to a sultry aviatrix with an Amelia Earhart costume and a Veronica Lake attitude. After years of voicing Puss in Boots in various Shrek sequels and spinoffs, it seems Banderas has learned to become a living, breathing cartoon. Placed opposite a CGI bear, he is perfectly suited. 

Undoubtedly, the movie's animation team deserves accolades for their superb execution of a fresh series of complicated physical comedy gags, which pull inspiration from everything from Raiders of the Last Ark to Steamboat Bill, Jr. Their bear is a marvel, so lifelike and emotive that it’s easy to believe — as Hugh Grant’s dad believed of the last movie — that a real bear was on set. But so too does Banderas deserve props for matching the energy of this daffy, delightful bear. The result is a chaotic climax that is absolutely exhilarating. 

Paddington returns to remind us what to cling to.  Paddington gets in a tangle in "Paddington in Peru." Credit: Studio Canal / Peter Mountain

Whatever the premise, each Paddington movie shows us a trusting young bear who will inevitably face a ghastly betrayal. The world is not as gentle as Paddington deserves. And yet, he never loses faith in goodness. He gives a hard stare when it's called for. He makes friends everywhere he goes. He commits himself unabashedly to his family, and he strives to be kind even in the face of cruelty. And each time, he comes out on top — with a little help from his friends. 

Screenwriters Mark Burton, Jon Foster, and James Lamont maintain these themes while working in fresh flourishes. So Paddington in Peru is a satisfying sequel, delivering what fans would hope for in terms of laughs, action, whimsy, and — well — hope. Paddington is not naive about the world around him, and he won't be written off as a fool for trusting a could-be friend. But when the world knocks him down (say down a flight of stairs in a bathtub, or down some raging rapids),  he will get right back up, undefeated and defiantly joyful. 

In this there's a lesson that speaks to adults perhaps even more than children. Maybe you won't sit back and sink into the message of Paddington's resistance to apathy or cynicism across three films. But Paddington in Peru gives us just enough to follow in his paw prints and feel that rush of love and laughter again. 

Let Paddington in Peru be the emergency marmalade sandwich in your hat, succor for the tough times.

Paddington in Peru opens in theaters in the U.S. on Feb. 14.

TL;DR: This 18-course All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking bundle gives you 132 hours of real-world training on penetration testing, Python hacking, network attacks, and more — for just $34.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shutterstock The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle $34.97
$1,098.00 Save $1,063.03 Get Deal

If you've ever wanted to dive into the world of ethical hacking, strengthen your cybersecurity skills, or even explore penetration testing as a career, this all-in-one ethical hacking bundle is your chance to get started at a steal.

For just $34.99, you get 18 expert-led courses, 132 hours of content, and hands-on projects to help you master hacking techniques, cybersecurity fundamentals, and ethical penetration testing. You’ll learn how to build hacking tools with Python, launch network attacks, crack WiFi security, and understand real-world vulnerabilities — all while staying on the right side of the law.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to break into cybersecurity or a tech enthusiast eager to explore hacking in a controlled environment, this bundle offers comprehensive, real-world skills.

The bundle is packed with hands-on courses that cover everything from Python hacking and network security to password cracking and penetration testing.

One of the most popular courses, Complete Python 3 Ethical Hacking: Zero to Mastery, teaches you how to build hacking tools from scratch, gather intel on targets, and simulate attacks in a virtual lab. If you’ve ever wanted to code like a hacker in the movies (but legally), this is your course.

You’ll also get a practical deep dive into network security attacks, where you’ll sniff passwords, crack WiFi encryption, and simulate de-authentication attacks to understand how vulnerabilities are exploited — and how to prevent them.

This bundle is loaded with insights that will take your cybersecurity knowledge to the next level. Grab the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking bundle while it's just $34.99 through Feb. 23.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro packs 70,000+ preloaded retro and 3D games and streaming capabilities into one easy plug-and-play system for just $99.99 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping.

The last month or so of winter can really drag on. The cold, the early sunsets, the endless search for something fun to do indoors. Want something fun to get you through? The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is a retro gaming and streaming powerhouse that turns your living room into an arcade and entertainment hub.

With 70,000+ preloaded retro and 3D games, dual-system functionality, and 4K UHD visuals, this console lets you relive the classics, discover hidden gems, and even stream your favorite shows — all from one device. And the best part? It’s just $99.99 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping.

If you grew up with Street Fighter, Zelda, Sonic, or Pac-Man, get ready to reignite your nostalgia. The Super Console X2 Pro has 60+ emulators covering multiple generations of gaming history. That means instant access to classics from the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, and more — without hunting down old cartridges.

And it’s not just about revisiting the past. You can expand the game library with more storage via a microSD card or download an additional 20,000 3D games for free—because why stop at 70,000?

It’s also a fully capable streaming device. The Android 9.0 system lets you install Netflix, YouTube, and other apps, so when you’re done gaming, you can kick back and binge your favorite shows in stunning 4K HD.

Thanks to dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 support, you can connect wireless controllers, headsets, and even keyboards for an even smoother experience. Whether you’re gaming solo, challenging friends to a multiplayer battle, or just catching up on streaming content, this console does it all.

Enjoy your time indoors with the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro bundle for just $99.99 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $99.99
$159.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Statik 360 Pro offers 100W fast-charging and is universally compatible with USB-C, Lightning, and micro-USB — just $21.99 with free shipping.

Having devices is terrific, but having to manage the charging of them is not so great. The Statik 360 Pro is for those who have had to frantically dig through drawers for the right charging cable or, worse, watch their phone cling to life while their laptop hogs the only available cord. 

This six-foot, 100W magnetic charging cable works with every device you own — laptops, smartphones, tablets, even drones — thanks to its three universal magnetic tips (USB-C, Lightning, and micro-USB). It charges up to 10x faster than regular cables and even supports fast data transfers for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For a limited time, you can grab this all-in-one cable for just $21.99 (reg. $24.99), with free shipping included. 

Gone are the days of carrying three different cables for your phone, tablet, and laptop. The Statik 360 Pro lets you swap between USB-C, Lightning, and micro-USB tips effortlessly, thanks to its upgraded 2X magnetic strength. Just snap the tip in place, and your device starts charging—no fumbling, no frustration.

And if you’ve ever tripped over a charging cable (or worse, yanked your phone off the counter), you’ll love this: the 360-degree rotating magnetic tip prevents accidental pulls and protects your device’s power port from damage. No more bent cables, no more broken ports. Just fast, secure, hassle-free charging.

At six feet long, it gives you plenty of room to charge comfortably, whether you’re at your desk, in bed, or relaxing on the couch. And with the bonus cable strap, it stays neat and organized wherever you go.

Streamline the cord clutter with the Statik 360 Pro for just $21.99 with free shipping.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart Statik® 360 Pro 100W Universal Magnetic Charging Cable (6 Feet) $21.99
$24.99 Save $3.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: For just $20 (reg. $50), you can enjoy a full year of Sam’s Club savings, including exclusive discounts on groceries, gas, and household essentials.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sam's Club Sam's Club 1-Year Membership with Auto-Renew $25.00
$50.00 Save $25.00 Get Deal

TikTok tried to convince us that Erewhon Market is the most luxurious place to get groceries, but we’d argue that Sam’s Club takes the cake. It might not have ridiculously expensive berries, but you can get multiple errands done under one roof and skip the checkout line if you download their app.

The only downside is that, like a real club, you have to be a member to get inside the door. If you want in, save 50% here with our Sam’s Club membership deal and get one year for $20 (reg. $50) when you sign up with auto-renew.

VIP savings and shopping perks inside

Sam’s Club members usually have a hard time leaving without the entire store in their carts, since they can shop for everything from fresh and frozen groceries to electronics and furniture in one place. You won’t have to hop between multiple stores to get everything on your list anymore.

Plus, with bulk-size goods, you probably won’t have to make as many trips to Sam’s Club as you would with your regular store — that is, if you can handle staying away.

If your cart is full to the brim and the line looks long, there’s no need to stand and wait. With Scan and Go on the Sam’s Club app, you can scan your items, show your digital receipt on your way out (everyone has to do this), and be on your way.

Members of Sam’s Club also rave about savings on gas, so don’t forget to fill up your tank on the way home. The club also has a tire and battery center if your car needs more than fuel.

Speaking of members-only, you’ll get even more discounts on hotels, car rentals, live events, movies, and more. We think you’ll earn back that $20 membership fee in no time with how much you’re saving on, well, everything.

Don’t miss out on this Sam’s Club membership offer — get one year for $20 (reg. $50) through February 26.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

There's a deceptive simplicity to Flow. The premise of this animated film seems familiar: A motley band of animals join together to survive a terrible threat. But part of what makes co-writer/director Gints Zilbalodis' outing so sensational is its gentle rejection of American cartoon cliches. 

While the premise of this movie might sound like Madagascar, Ice Age, A Bug's Life, Zootopia, or any number of cutesy, kid-focused animated adventures, Flow refuses to turn its animals into wacky characters perfectly suited for lunch boxes and plush toys. Zilbalodis' hairy heroes don't have big googly eyes or sport spiffy clothes. They aren't voiced by A-lister actors. They don't speak a human language at all. This gaggle of critters mew or moan or cluck or chitter. And they move not with an anthropomorphic flare, but with a realistic anatomy, and act as their real-life cohorts might. 

While Zilbalodis strives for authenticity in the physicality of his creatures, he rejects the photorealism of — for instance — Disney's "live-action" remake of The Lion King. Instead, he creates Flow with a digital painting style that leans into the abstract. Every hair or feather or scale will not be dedicatedly rendered to awe the audience with the endeavor. His animals are made up of splotches of color that shift in light and shadow, effectively grounding them in an uncertain world that is wondrous, dangerous, and all theirs. 

A breathtakingly beautiful to behold film, Flow tells a story that might well enchant children with its cuddly heroes, but it will rattle grown-ups who can understand the cause for their deadly dilemma. 

Flow is a wordless tale of climate crisis. 

This gorgeous film, which has been selected as Latvia's submission for the Best International Feature Oscar, begins following a little black cat as it putters around a forest looking for food. Little clues suggest this has not always been an outdoor cat, like the cozy cabin surrounded by lovingly carved wooden statues of the feline's likeness. But like the discarded tools and empty bed, the cat has been abandoned by whatever human once lived here. And in this regard, he's not alone. 

SEE ALSO: How do we navigate climate disinformation online?

A pack of dogs made up of a mix of breeds frolic around the forest, learning how to clumsily catch fish in a nearby stream. It's as if a dog park party went stray. But as Flow progresses and its animals come upon more and more handcrafted trinkets and architecture in ruins, it becomes clear this beguiling film is set in post-human times. Another major hint to this setting is the massive wall of water that forces the animals of the forest to flee to higher ground, and eventually onto deserted boats. 

Flow is a parable of reluctant teamwork.  Credit: Courtesy of TIFF

The little cat scrambles onto a battered sailboat, where it is riled to discover a resting capybara. Reluctantly, the cat realizes this big but gentle rodent is no threat, and a motley crew of sailors begins to come together. A yammering lemur, whose tendency toward gathering baubles can be a risky compulsion, joins up. A majestic crane takes hold of the rudder. A tongue-wagging Golden Retriever hops aboard, eager to make new friends. 

There's an elegant pleasure in watching these unlikely animal friends grow close, and it's impossible to overlook Zilbalodis' dedication in keeping true to their natures. He doesn't cheat these moments of growth; there's pleasantly predictable bickering as the animals collide with each other's quirks. For instance, the lemur lovingly lays out his loot on the boat's seat, which attracts the cat, who naturally swats a treasure to the ground, much to the lemur's annoyance. But as moments of crisis — be it a predator on the horizon or an obstacle in their path — arise, these animals snap to attention and slowly but surely learn to trust each other. 

Visually, it's richly rewarding, as Zilbalodis paints a pretty world destroyed and yet alive with hope and hard-won harmony. It's heart-warming, as we witness these creatures (who are in some cases natural enemies) band together not just for a common goal, but ultimately a common bond. And because Zilbalodis rejects so many expectations of animated animals — from their appearance to their movements and their noises — Flow has an exciting spontaneity, as if truly anything could happen. And what ultimately does is epic and emotional. 

Refusing to pander to its audience, Flow is an animated adventure that is poignant, unique, absolutely gorgeous, and a must-see. While it should safely snag that Best International Feature spot, the American studios should be more worried about its chances in Best Animated Feature. 

Flow is now streaming on Max.

UPDATE: Feb. 12, 2025, 1:28 p.m. EST "Flow" was reviewed out of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. This article was originally published on Sept. 13, 2024. It has been updated to reflect current viewing options.

UPDATE: Feb. 14, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EST New flagship robot vacuums from Roborock, Eufy, and more were announced at CES 2025. I'm in the process of getting my hands on them for at-home testing, and will update this guide accordingly.

The best vacuum cleaner setup is subjective, heavily hinging on how badly (or not) you want to do the vacuuming yourself, or if you'd rather a robot do it for you.

But there's one universal factor that can make or break any type of vacuum's usefulness in your home, and that's how likely you are to use it. Hear me out.

Actual cleaning performance plays a huge role in how clean your floors will be, of course. But if that vacuum's a pain to use, you won't feel like using it — whether that's an upright vacuum that's too clunky to get out of the closet or a robot vacuum that gets stuck more often than not.

SEE ALSO: Top 3 best robot vacuums from CES 2025, from coolest to most practical

I've tested a ton of automatic vacuums and upright cordless vacuums, assessing from all of those angles along the way. And I have a handful of recommendations for both. But first, let's unpack which kind might work better in your living arrangement overall.

Should I get an upright or robot vacuum?

I could argue for both sides, considering I think the true dream setup is to have both types of vacuums on hand for different situations. While there are definitely ways to shop strategically and split your budget between one of each, that won't be the most practical choice for every household. If you're only choosing one type of vacuum, consider your main priority when it comes to vacuuming. Is your ideal vacuum cleaner one that automates the most steps to give you as little work as possible, or is it one that does the absolute most meticulous job, even if you still have to do the work?

SEE ALSO: The best robot vacuums and mops of 2025 so far, tested hands-on at home

We also have to consider the drawbacks of each. Trusting a robot vacuum to do this chore comes with the fine print that the robot vacuum is probably going to piss you off sometimes. While I absolutely can't knock the strides that have been made with smart mapping, AI small obstacle avoidance, automatic floor type recognition, and debris level sensors over the past few years, even the latest and greatest robot vacuums are still inanimate objects, not perceptive humans.

The downside of an upright vacuum is that you have to have free time, and spend some of that free time off the couch. Granted, the better at cleaning the cordless vacuum is, the less you'll have to get it out, and the less of a pain it'll be to whip around. And I know I'm not alone in enjoying the rush of manually sweeping with a powerful vacuum.

Should I get a cordless or corded vacuum?

Using a corded vacuum is much more of a process than a cordless one. They're usually bulkier than the traditional cordless stick vacuum, and having to strategize staying near an outlet without getting stuck on furniture is just plain annoying. (Oh, and remember to carve out time to curse out the knots in the cord). In fact, cordless vacuums have gained such traction that most vacuum brands have completely de-centered the corded design — so most corded options you come across now are probably outdated and are no longer so much more powerful than cordless vacuums.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

At the end of the day, if you detest getting your vacuum out, you probably won't vacuum too often — and that defeats the purpose of spending your money on a nice, new vacuum in the first place. For that reason, no corded vacuums will be recommended in this list.

After several years of pitting the top robot and stick vacuums against each other in my own home, I've pulled a few of each to create Mashable's ultimate mashup of all of the best vacuum cleaners of 2025.