Tag: latest tech innovations

  • Garmin Instinct 3 vs. 2X vs. 2: Every key upgrade

    Garmin Instinct 3 vs. 2X vs. 2: Every key upgrade


    Comparing the Garmin Instinct 3 vs. 2 is more complicated than you’d think. The Garmin Instinct 3 has both AMOLED and MIP Solar versions in multiple sizes, each with a different battery life. The Garmin Instinct 2 and smaller 2S each have solar and non-solar options, and there’s an Instinct 2X that falls in the middle between these two generations.

    All three watches are almost unparalleled for battery life — not counting the expensive Garmin Fenix 8 or Enduro 3. The Instinct 3 Solar gives you a 5X boost in solar efficiency over the Instinct 2 Solar, but the gap is smaller for Instinct 2X Solar owners. And even though the Instinct 3 AMOLED has no solar recharge, it may last longer or shorter than the Instinct 2 Solar depending on your lifestyle.


  • Rate Your Favorite PC Hardware, Peripherals, and Components to Win

    Rate Your Favorite PC Hardware, Peripherals, and Components to Win


    Take the PC Hardware, Peripherals, and Components Survey


    Take other PCMag surveys. Each completed survey is a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.


    OFFICIAL SWEEPSTAKES RULES

    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Readers’ Choice Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) is governed by these official rules (the “Sweepstakes Rules”). The Sweepstakes begins on January 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM ET and ends on April 13, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET (the “Sweepstakes Period”).

    SPONSOR: Ziff Davis, LLC, with an address of 360 Park Ave South, Floor 17, New York, NY 10010 (the “Sponsor”).

    ELIGIBILITY: This Sweepstakes is open to individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States of America or the District of Columbia. By entering the Sweepstakes as described in these Sweepstakes Rules, entrants represent and warrant that they are complying with these Sweepstakes Rules (including, without limitation, all eligibility requirements), and that they agree to abide by and be bound by all the rules and terms and conditions stated herein and all decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding.

    All previous winners of any sweepstakes sponsored by Sponsor during the nine (9) month period prior to the Selection Date are not eligible to enter. Any individuals (including, but not limited to, employees, consultants, independent contractors and interns) who have, within the past six (6) months, held employment with or performed services for Sponsor or any organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Sweepstakes (“Employees”) are not eligible to enter or win. Immediate Family Members and Household Members are also not eligible to enter or win. “Immediate Family Members” means parents, step-parents, legal guardians, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses of an Employee. “Household Members” means those individuals who share the same residence with an Employee at least three (3) months a year.

    HOW TO ENTER: There are two methods to enter the Sweepstakes: (1) fill out the online survey, or (2) enter by mail.

    1. Survey Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes through the online survey, go to the survey page and complete the current survey during the Sweepstakes Period.

    2. Mail Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes by mail, on a 3″ x 5″ card, print your first and last name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and email address. Mail your completed entry to:

    Readers’ Choice Sweepstakes – PC Components 2025
    c/o E. Griffith
    624 Elm St. Ext.
    Ithaca, NY 14850-8786

    Mail Entries must be postmarked by April 14, 2025, and received by April 21, 2025.

    Only one (1) entry per person is permitted, regardless of the entry method used. Subsequent attempts made by the same individual to submit multiple entries may result in the disqualification of the entrant.

    Only contributions submitted during the Sweepstakes Period will be eligible for entry into the Sweepstakes. No other methods of entry will be accepted. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Entries are limited to individuals only; commercial enterprises and business entities are not eligible. Use of a false account will disqualify an entry. Sponsor is not responsible for entries not received due to difficulty accessing the internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties, and other technological problems.

    Entries are subject to any applicable restrictions or eligibility requirements listed herein. Entries will be deemed to have been made by the authorized account holder of the email or telephone phone number submitted at the time of entry and qualification. Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same email address. Should multiple users of the same e-mail account or mobile phone number, as applicable, enter the Sweepstakes and a dispute thereafter arises regarding the identity of the entrant, the Authorized Account Holder of said e-mail account or mobile phone account at the time of entry will be considered the entrant. “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned an e-mail address or mobile phone number by an Internet access provider, online service provider, telephone service provider or other organization that is responsible for assigned e-mail addresses, phone numbers or the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Proof of submission of an entry shall not be deemed proof of receipt by the website administrator for online entries. When applicable, the website administrator’s computer will be deemed the official time-keeping device for the Sweepstakes promotion. Entries will be disqualified if found to be incomplete and/or if Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that multiple entries were submitted by the same entrant in violation of the Sweepstakes Rules.

    Entries that are late, lost, stolen, mutilated, tampered with, illegible, incomplete, mechanically reproduced, inaccurate, postage-due, forged, irregular in any way or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules will be disqualified. All entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

    WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: Sponsor shall select the prize winner(s) (collectively, the “Winner”) on or about April 25, 2025, (“Selection Date”) by random drawing or from among all eligible entries. The Winner will be notified via email to the contact information provided in the entry. Notification of the Winner shall be deemed to have occurred immediately upon sending of the notification by Sponsor. Selected winner(s) will be required to respond (as directed) to the notification within seven (7) days of attempted notification. The only entries that will be considered eligible entries are entries received by Sponsor within the Sweepstakes Period. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to choose an alternative winner in the event that a possible winner has been disqualified or is deemed ineligible for any reason.

    PRIZE: One (1) winner will receive the following prize (collectively, the “Prize”):

    One (1) $250 Amazon.com gift code via email, valued at approximately two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

    No more than the stated number of prize(s) will be awarded, and all prize(s) listed above will be awarded. Actual retail value of the Prize may vary due to market conditions. The difference in value of the Prize as stated above and value at time of notification of the Winner, if any, will not be awarded. No cash or prize substitution is permitted, except at the discretion of Sponsor. The Prize is non-transferable. If the Prize cannot be awarded due to circumstances beyond the control of Sponsor, a substitute Prize of equal or greater retail value will be awarded; provided, however, that if a Prize is awarded but remains unclaimed or is forfeited by the Winner, the Prize may not be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. In the event that more than the stated number of prize(s) becomes available for any reason, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prize(s) by a random drawing among all legitimate, un-awarded, eligible prize claims.

    ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY OF THE PRIZE: The Winner will be required to verify his or her address and may be required to execute the following document(s) before a notary public and return them within seven (7) days (or a shorter time if required by exigencies) of receipt of such documents: an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release, and (where imposing such condition is legal) a publicity release covering eligibility, liability, advertising, publicity and media appearance issues (collectively, the “Prize Claim Documents”). If an entrant is unable to verify the information submitted with their entry, the entrant will automatically be disqualified and their prize, if any, will be forfeited. The Prize will not be awarded until all such properly executed and notarized Prize Claim Documents are returned to Sponsor. Prize(s) won by an eligible entrant who is a minor in his or her state of residence will be awarded to minor’s parent or legal guardian, who must sign and return all required Prize Claim Documents. In the event the Prize Claim Documents are not returned within the specified period, an alternate Winner may be selected by Sponsor for such Prize. The Prize will be shipped to the Winner within 7 days of Sponsor’s receipt of a signed Affidavit and Release from the Winner. The Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees related to the Prize received, if any.

    OTHER RULES: This sweepstakes is subject to all applicable laws and is void where prohibited. All submissions by entrants in connection with the sweepstakes become the sole property of the sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Winner assumes all liability for any injuries or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in this sweepstakes or by the use or misuse of any prize.

    By entering the sweepstakes, each winner grants the SPONSOR permission to use his or her name, city, state/province, e-mail address and, to the extent submitted as part of the sweepstakes entry, his or her photograph, voice, and/or likeness for advertising, publicity or other purposes OR ON A WINNER’S LIST, IF APPLICABLE, IN ANY and all MEDIA WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR HEREINAFTER DEVELOPED, worldwide, without additional consent OR compensation, except where prohibited by law. By submitting an entry, entrants also grant the Sponsor a perpetual, fully-paid, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, distribute, display, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, televise, digitize, perform and otherwise use and permit others to use, and throughout the world, their entry materials in any manner, form, or format now known or hereinafter created, including on the internet, and for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising or promotion of the Sweepstakes, the Sponsor and/or its products and services, without further consent from or compensation to the entrant. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants consent to receive notification of future promotions, advertisements or solicitations by or from Sponsor and/or Sponsor’s parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, and business partners, via email or other means of communication.

    If, in the Sponsor’s opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of fraud, electronic or non-electronic tampering or unauthorized intervention with any portion of this Sweepstakes, or if fraud or technical difficulties of any sort (e.g., computer viruses, bugs) compromise the integrity of the Sweepstakes, the Sponsor reserves the right to void suspect entries and/or terminate the Sweepstakes and award the Prize in its sole discretion. Any attempt to deliberately damage the Sponsor’s website(s) or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be in violation of U.S. criminal and civil laws and will result in disqualification from participation in the Sweepstakes. Should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages (including attorney’s fees) to the fullest extent of the law, including pursuing criminal prosecution.

    DISCLAIMER: EXCLUDING ONLY APPLICABLE MANUFACTURERS’ WARRANTIES, THE PRIZE IS PROVIDED TO THE WINNER ON AN “AS IS” BASIS, WITHOUT FURTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL FURTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE PRIZE.

    LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANTS, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES, RELEASE AND HOLD THE SPONSOR its PARENT COMPANIES, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATED COMPANIES, UNITS AND DIVISIONS, AND THE CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF EACH OF THE FOREGOING, AND ALL THOSE ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE FOREGOING, OR ANY OF THEM (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES AND PRIZE SUPPLIERS) (EACH A “RELEASED PARTY”), HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, ACTIONS, INJURY, LOSS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (COLLECTIVELY, THE “CLAIMS”) WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, WHICH ENTRANT EVER HAD, NOW HAVE, OR HEREAFTER CAN, SHALL OR MAY HAVE, AGAINST THE RELEASED PARTIES (OR ANY OF THEM), INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE SWEEPSTAKES OR ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS FOR LIBEL, DEFAMATION, INVASION OF PRIVACY, VIOLATION OF THE RIGHT OF PUBLICITY, COMMERCIAL APPROPRIATION OF NAME AND LIKENESS, INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT OR VIOLATION OF ANY OTHER PERSONAL OR PROPRIETARY RIGHT), AND THE RECEIPT, OWNERSHIP, USE, MISUSE, TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE PRIZE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE). All matters relating to the interpretation and application of these Sweepstakes Rules shall be decided by Sponsor in its sole discretion.

    DISPUTES: If, for any reason (including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes), the Sweepstakes is not capable of being conducted as described in these Sweepstakes Rules, Sponsor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. The Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. The Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, or failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including, without limitation, any injury or damage to any entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading any materials in this Sweepstakes. Because of the unique nature and scope of the Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, in addition to those other rights reserved herein, to modify any date(s) or deadline(s) set forth in these Sweepstakes Rules or otherwise governing the Sweepstakes, and any such changes will be posted here in the Sweepstakes Rules. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Sweepstakes Rules shall not constitute a waiver of any provision.

    As a condition of participating in the Sweepstakes, entrant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between entrant and Sponsor, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes or these Sweepstakes Rules, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court of competent jurisdiction located in New York, New York, and entrant irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in New York, New York with respect to any such dispute, cause of action, or other matter. All disputes will be governed and controlled by the laws of the State of New York (without regard for its conflicts-of-laws principles). Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby irrevocably waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys’ fees, other than entrant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs incurred directly in connection with entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes), and entrant further irrevocably waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased, if any. EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.

    PRIVACY: Information collected from entrants in connection with the Sweepstakes is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy, which may be found here.

    SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION: Although the Sweepstakes may be featured on Twitter, Facebook, and/or other social media platforms, the Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or in association with Twitter, Facebook, and/or such other social media platforms and you agree that Twitter, Facebook, and all other social media platforms are not liable in any way for any claims, damages or losses associated with the Sweepstakes.

    WINNER(S) LIST: For a list of name(s) of prizewinner(s), after the Selection Date, please send a stamped, self-addressed No. 10/standard business envelope to Ziff Davis, LLC, Attn: Legal Department, 360 Park Ave South, Floor 17, New York, NY 10010 (VT residents may omit return postage).

    BY ENTERING, YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ALL OF THESE SWEEPSTAKES RULES.

    PCMag Readers' Choice: How Our Surveys Help You Find the Best Products

    PCMag Logo PCMag Readers’ Choice: How Our Surveys Help You Find the Best Products


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  • What is Starlink? How to get the satellite service for free on your phone with T-Mobile, plus everything you need to know

    What is Starlink? How to get the satellite service for free on your phone with T-Mobile, plus everything you need to know


    There’s never a good time to find yourself with no mobile reception. Whether you want to look up directions on Google Maps, send someone a WhatsApp message, or just want to post a beautiful view on Instagram: zero bars on your smartphone won’t get you very far. That’s where satellite services like Starlink come in – and this week T-Mobile started offering it for free (ahead of a paid rollout) in the US on compatible smartphones.

    The network operator has teamed up with SpaceX to launch the “first and only space-based mobile network” in the US, bringing cell phone service to remote areas via satellite. Powered by Starlink, it’s set to change the game for mobile users in rural locations. Those users won’t have to wait long to access it, either: the beta trial is already underway and a full rollout is scheduled for July this year.


  • Best laptops for video editing 2025: Reviewed and ranked

    Best laptops for video editing 2025: Reviewed and ranked



  • Asus ROG Strix XG27ACDNG 360 Hz OLED gaming monitor review: Lighting-fast with pro-level color accuracy

    Asus ROG Strix XG27ACDNG 360 Hz OLED gaming monitor review: Lighting-fast with pro-level color accuracy


    If you’re looking for value in a high-performance gaming monitor, check out Asus’ ROG Strix line. These monitors typically offer near or the same performance as the more expensive Swift screens and can save you a few bucks. You still get the same rugged build quality and check-this-out styling, with slick LED lighting and glowing ROG logos.

    The newest example I’ve encountered is the XG27ACDNG. This mouthful of letters describes a 27-inch Quantum Dot OLED running at QHD 2560×1440 resolution, with a 360 Hz refresh rate, Adaptive-Sync, HDR400, and a wide color gamut that fully earns the moniker “reference level.” Let’s take a look at what is one of the best gaming monitors currently available.

    Asus ROG Strix XG27ACDNG Specs

    Swipe to scroll horizontally

    Panel Type / Backlight

    Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode (QD-OLED)

    Screen Size / Aspect Ratio

    27 inches / 16:9

    Max Resolution and Refresh Rate

    2560×1440 @ 360 Hz

    Row 3 – Cell 0

    Accepts 3840×2160 @ 120Hz

    Row 4 – Cell 0

    FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible

    Native Color Depth and Gamut

    10-bit / DCI-P3+

    Row 6 – Cell 0

    HDR10, DisplayHDR 400

    Response Time (GTG)

    0.03ms

    Brightness (mfr)

    250 nits full field

    Row 9 – Cell 0

    450 nits 25% window

    Row 10 – Cell 0

    1,000 3% window

    Contrast

    Unmeasurable

    Speakers

    None

    Video Inputs

    1x DisplayPort 1.4

    Row 14 – Cell 0

    2x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C

    Audio

    3.5mm headphone output

    USB 3.2

    1x up, 3x down

    Power Consumption

    39w, brightness @ 200 nits

    Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base

    24 x 15.5-20 x 8.6 inches (610 x 394-508 x 218mm)

    Panel Thickness

    2.8 inches (71mm)

    Bezel Width

    Top: 0.31 inch (8mm)

    Row 21 – Cell 0

    Sides: 0.43 inch (11mm)

    Row 22 – Cell 0

    Bottom: 0.55 inch (14mm)

    Weight

    16.4 pounds (7.44kg)

    Warranty

    3 years


  • 3 easy side hustles OpenAI’s Operator just made possible – plus how you can get started

    3 easy side hustles OpenAI’s Operator just made possible – plus how you can get started


    100bills5gettyimages-1700889187

    Mensent Photography/Getty Images

    OpenAI recently announced Operator, an AI agent designed to perform tasks on the web.

    After testing it (yes, I paid the $200 bucks, but, more importantly, I kept the subscription🤯), this is a game-changer, but not for the reason you think.

    This article will probably get me in trouble with my business partner.

    Also: Will AI kill creativity and destroy human innovation? Here’s the unsettling truth

    I’m about to snitch on myself for your benefit. 😩

    I’m going to tell you the secret sauce behind how our ecom business generates millions in revenue and how Operator can help.

    In this article, I’ll break down:

    • What Operator is and why it matters
    • The good, the bad, and the ugly of using it
    • Three ways you can turn Operator into a side hustle

    Grab a pen and paper if you’re into this kind of stuff. You’ll want to take notes. 🧐

    Quick intro

    To understand why this is a game changer, first, you must understand who I am and what I do for a living.

    If you are new to my work, my name is Lester, but feel free to call me Les.

    I’m a founder with a successful exit under my belt. These days, I’m the exec chair for a group of ecom brands, but at my core, I’m an award-winning performance marketer. 🤓☝️

    Also: From zero to millions? How regular people are cashing in on AI

    Needless to say, data and insights are my jam. We operate more like a data company than an ecom brand. Our secret sauce? Pairing data and insights with ideas that generate revenue.

    If you are into leveraging AI or emerging tech to help your workflow or generate revenue, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I break down what is working in the world of AI along with actionable insights to implement… no fluff, just facts (see what I did there).

    But enough about me. I have to tell you why Operator is a game changer! 🤫

    What is Operator and why it’s a game changer

    Operator helps US-based PRO users perform browser activities like filling out forms and ordering groceries; apparently, it can even help you create memes. 💃

    It interacts with web pages by clicking, typing, and scrolling like a human.

    A new AI model powers Operator called Computer Using Agent (CUA), combined with GPT-4’s vision and capabilities for advanced reasoning. This is what allows it to understand what is happening on a website.

    Now that you’re all caught up, let me share the opportunities. 🤗

    Also: The billion-dollar AI company no one is talking about – and why you should care

    Price is the biggest complaint among users. At $200 per month, it’s a significant jump from the $20 plan, and many don’t see enough value to make the upgrade worthwhile, which is a valid point.

    But instead of comparing it to the cheaper plan, I look at it in terms of the time and resources it can save.

    A big part of my day job is validating ideas, visiting different websites, looking at trends, and documenting them. While this is not the best use of time, it is still necessary and has a cost, whether I do it myself or hire an assistant to do it for me.

    $200 is a lot of bread, especially in this economy, but the alternative could cost thousands of dollars per month and tens of thousands per year. 🤧

    Operator allows small business owners and professionals to automate without hiring or paying a developer to create an internal tool.

    Sure, there are online tools that can perform similar functions, but that is yet another tool to learn. OpenAI is already part of my workflow, so having everything in one place is beneficial.

    Also: Have a genealogy mystery? How I used AI to solve a family puzzle

    Operator is a great tool to handle the mundane, time-consuming tasks I don’t want to do.

    And for $200 bucks? 🤔

    Pffft. Have at it, Operator.

    Let me know when you’re done or if you need me.

    The biggest limitation may not be Operator itself, but our imagination when using it.

    How I use Operator

    Ah yes, the reason why my biz partner may beat my you-know-what.

    First, I need to explain the core of any business. ☝️

    Most businesses operate on some form of arbitrage, whether it’s sourcing a product at a lower cost and selling it at a higher price, or offering a service where the cost to deliver is lower than the price charged.

    Whether you are selling a product or service, the core of what is happening is the same.

    The key is creating value while managing cost differences between markets.

    Also: Don’t want to pay for ChatGPT Deep Research? Try this free open-source alternative

    Now that we understand that, let’s dig into how we build businesses. 🧐

    Everyone sees Amazon as a place to buy, but we consider it a place to validate product ideas.

    Let’s say we have an idea for a funny candle. We go to Amazon first to see if the concept already exists. If it does, we document things like:

    • Product name
    • Price
    • Sales rank
    lm-operator-project

    Lester Mapp

    This information is critical. The arbitrage is then sourcing that product and introducing it to our audience.

    Bonus tip: We do not just copy. We look at how a product can be improved and offer our audience the new and improved version on our website.

    Make sense?

    Now that we have that out of the way, let me explain how we used Operator. 😎

    As I mentioned, part of the job is endless scrolling — looking and looking. I instructed Operator to do my product research for me.

    Here is the exact prompt I used:

    “I need you to go to www.amazon.com and search ‘funny candles.’ I then need you to tell me the price and name of each listing. Then, I need you to tell me the sales rank for the first 48 product listings.”

    After a CAPTCHA and a little finessing with the prompt, I got the exact output I needed.

    Operator was able to handle the most critical role in our business, which is product research.

    Also: Are ChatGPT Plus or Pro worth it? Here’s how they compare to the free version

    It freed up my time and allowed me to focus on things like talking to customers. 👨‍💻

    Nobody likes doing these types of tasks as they are monotonous and tedious. It’s all the “ous-es” you can think of.

    But it is vital for staying ahead.

    Operator did it autonomously for the most part.

    Like I said, it’s a game changer.

    The good, the bad, and the kind of ugly

    The good 👍

    • I like the fact that I can operate independently without having to wait for a coworker or a developer to help. If you are anything like me, you know exactly what I mean by that. I would rather wash my eyes with bleach than wait for someone.
    • I also love that I can speak, and it appears. I do not have to write a fancy brief or send ten gazillion emails to get what I want.
    • I love the fact that it is centralized. I don’t need ten apps and integrations to do one thing. I allow it to log into things like Google Sheets and copy the info.

    The bad 👎

    • It’s not all the way there. It is AI. It does weird AI stuff, like hallucinating and providing incorrect and nonsensical information. I stay patient and keep it pushing.
    • It’s slow, but still faster than me at getting the job done. Honestly, I can’t even call that a real complaint.
    • It was asking me for confirmation way too much. This meant Operator would stop and sit there waiting for my input while I was off living my best life. Time wasted. To combat this, I turned on notifications to see if that improves the time between confirmations. I will let you know how it goes.

    The kinda ugly 🥴

    Sure, there are flaws and things that could be better, but at this moment, the real issue is me. I wish I could think of even more creative ways to use it.

    To be clear, I’m not talking about everyday stuff like grocery shopping. That’s table stakes.

    I mean, how do I get this thing to 10x my business while I am on vacation? 🙃

    How to make money with OpenAI Operator

    With any emerging technology, there will always be a group of people who:

    • Need help implementing
    • Do not have the time to do it themselves

    There’s potential to build a business around either of these scenarios. 🤑

    Also: ChatGPT’s Deep Research just identified 20 jobs it will replace. Is yours on the list?

    In my humble opinion, this is a great place to start, especially if you are an early mover, as it could position you as the go-to resource.

    That said, here are a few more ideas on how you can use Operator to generate income.

    1. AI automation as a service

    Offer automation services to businesses that want to streamline repetitive tasks like data entry, email responses, or customer support.

    2. AI-powered lead generation and sales automation

    Use Operator to send personalized messages to potential leads on LinkedIn about your product or service.

    3. AI-powered e-commerce

    Use Operator to automatically list, update, and optimize product listings on eBay, Amazon, or Shopify.

    These are just a few ideas, but the biggest opportunity is using Operator to enhance what we are already doing.

    Rather than looking for some magical new opportunity, the best move is to integrate it into your current workflow.

    Operator is a tool that makes us more efficient and provides an opportunity to win back some of our time.

    The real opportunity is looking within and asking yourself, what can AI help me do? 🤔

    As I mentioned earlier, it really comes down to your imagination and how you use it in your existing workflow or even how you create a new one.

    The critics aren’t wrong about its limitations, but the tool is still incredibly powerful. Unlocking its full potential just requires a bit of creativity and a willingness to work around its constraints.

    Writing the technology off entirely because it is not there yet is unwise. 😞

    My two cents 

    So, is Operator worth it?

    Like most things in life, it depends. 🫤

    The price of $200 is relative and depends on how you use it.

    If you are using it to book your Airbnb or something like that, I am hard-pressed to find any reason to justify paying $200 for the luxury of not doing it yourself (unless this is your job).

    I can see a future where Operator, when used effectively, becomes one of the best business assets in your toolkit by automating repetitive tasks.

    However, it’s not a magic fix. You still need to build a strong business by solving real problems and maintaining solid unit economics.

    Also: The work tasks people use Claude AI for most, according to Anthropic

    We are not at a place where AI can do everything for us. A do-it-with-me approach would be the better way to look at it.

    All that said, I am bullish on Operator as a business tool and look forward to seeing where it goes.

    😇 Hope this helps; I am rooting for you.

    By the way, if you want to learn more about leveraging AI or emerging tech to optimize your workflow or generate revenue, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I break down what is working in the world of AI, along with actionable insights you can implement and the occasional pep talk. If this sounds like your jam and you wanna be besties forever, click here to sign up. It’s totally free. 🤗




  • All the Captain America movies, ranked

    All the Captain America movies, ranked



    The last 10 years have helped us all understand who Captain America is. Before then, the character was largely confined to comics, with only occasional forays onto the big screen. He may be our most patriotic hero and one of the staples of the Marvel universe, but Captain America’s history on the big screen is long and winding.

    In honor of Captain America: Brave New World, we’re ranking every Captain America movie, including TV movies, and the series that first adapted the character in the 1940s. While Chris Evans will show up a bunch on this list (including in Avengers movies), he’s not the only man to wear the shield. With that in mind, here’s every Captain America movie, ranked:

    We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

    11. Captain America TV Movies (1979)

    CAPTAIN AMERICA Clips (1979) Marvel

    How far we’ve come. Two TV movies were made about Steve Rogers in 1979, and neither is worth considering. Although these movies had some impact on the course Steve ultimately took in the comics, the movies themselves weren’t widely seen at the time, and both of them featured fairly generic plotlines and were made on shoestring budgets.

    Cheap movies can be great, but these movies are neither cheap nor great.

    10. Captain America (1990)

    “Captain America” (1990) Trailer

    It would be fair to say that MGM did not pour a ton of resources into this Captain America movie, which was made cheaply in the aftermath of Batman‘s enormous success.

    Starring Matt Salinger in the titular role, Captain America follows the titular hero as he’s thawed out of ice and must save the president of the United States from the Red Skull. Cheap, mindless, and uninteresting, the movie has been forgotten because it deserves to be.

    You can buy Captain America on Amazon.  

    9. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

    Unless you were the one person looking for a sequel to both The Incredible Hulk and EternalsBrave New World probably isn’t the Captain America movie you were looking for.

    Sam Wilson’s first outing as the character on the big screen was less successful than many had hoped, and that’s true even though Harrison Ford is giving it his best as Thunderbolt Ross. The movie has no sense of propulsion, and it feels like just the latest piece of evidence that the MCU in general is almost completely rudderless.

    You can watch Captain America: Brave New World in theaters.

    8. Captain America Serial (1944)

    CAPTAIN AMERICA SERIAL Chapter 1 | 720p SUPERHERO movie | CLASSIC MOVIES | Marvel Comics character

    Serials are fascinating because they were so transparently produced in a different era. These serials are only loosely based on the comics and follow a district attorney whose alter ego is Captain America as he takes on a museum curator who assumes the mantle of the Scarab.

    While these serials might seem slow, they were actually hugely expensive at the time of their release. Today, they’re most interesting as an exploration of the patriotism that was a fixture of serials of all kinds in that era.

    You can watch the full serial on YouTube.

    7. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

    The Avengers:Age of Ultron – Opening scene HD

    Joss Whedon’s second Avengers film fails to hit the highs of the first. It also doesn’t have much room for Steve to be a central character. Although he is still seen commanding the troops, this Avengers is much more Tony Stark-focused than the first.

    The movie also feels mostly like a retread, and Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are not the dynamite new additions that many had hoped for. Not a disaster, by any means, but not one of Cap’s best MCU ventures.

    You can watch Avengers: Age of Ultron on Disney+. 

    6. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

    Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War – Trailer 2

    Basically an Avengers movie, Civil War was thrilling at the time but loses a few points because of how little time it seems to actually have for Cap as a character. While the argument between Tony and Steve is a real one, the revelation that Bucky killed Tony’s parents ultimately drives a wedge between them.

    It’s a fairly silly reveal, especially because everyone understands that Bucky was brainwashed. Even so, Civil War gets some juice out of its climactic battle between our heroes and sets the stage for their fights to come.

    You can watch Captain America: Civil War on Disney+. 

    5. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

    The darkest movie in the entirety of the MCU, Infinity War, is only this low on the list because Cap joins the party fairly late. His return, complete with a beard, is as triumphant a moment as you might expect, but it’s not until Endgame that he really gets to flex his leadership muscles again.

    Here, he’s one part of the broader Avengers as they take on Thanos and his army in an attempt to keep him from the Infinity Stones. The movie is a super-fun watch, but it spends more of its time on characters like Thor and Doctor Strange.

    You can watch Avengers: Infinity War on Disney+. 

    4. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

    Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Trailer 2 (OFFICIAL)

    The Winter Soldier isn’t quite as revelatory as you might have thought it was at the time, but it remains an impressive movie. With shades of the paranoid thrillers that were so common in the 1970s, the movie follows Cap as he discovers a conspiracy that lives deep inside the heart of the U.S. government.

    Cap also must face the return of Bucky Barnes. The movie has one too many fakeout deaths, but its elevator fight is every bit as good as you remember, and it’s one of only a couple of Marvel movies that has bigger things in mind.

    You can watch Captain America: The Winter Soldier on Disney+. 

    3. The Avengers (2012)

    Marvel’s The Avengers- Trailer (OFFICIAL)

    e

    No one thought it would work. The Avengers was the MCU’s biggest gambit, proof that you could bring a bunch of disparate superheroes together to tell one story. Thankfully, The Avengers worked mainly due to the leadership that Captain America ultimately brings to the table.

    Tony Stark might be the original Avenger, but Steve Rogers is the group’s heart and soul. The Avengers succeeds because it understands exactly that and puts him at the center as a man out of time.

    You can watch The Avengers on Disney+. 

    2. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

    Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame – Official Trailer

    This movie is, honestly, a miracle. Its ability to include a sprawling cast but also give both Tony Stark and Steve Rogers a proper sendoff is its defining accomplishment, and what a sendoff it turns out to be. Cap gets his girl and can undo the biggest failure of his life.

    Endgame is structured in three defined acts, the first involving getting the team back together, the second involving an extended nostalgia trip, and the third an all-out brawl. And you know what? All three are excellent. An utter triumph of a movie, and probably the moment when Marvel should have called it quits.

    You can watch Avengers: Endgame on Disney+. 

    1. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

    This may sound crazy, but Chris Evans’s first outing as Steve Rogers remains his best. This movie, set almost entirely in the 1940s, remains one of Marvel’s very best films precisely because it doesn’t feel all that much like a Marvel movie.

    It’s relatively light on action, focuses much of its plot on the dynamite chemistry between its two leads, and has a great roster of supporting players. Marvel was still experimenting in this early phase, and The First Avenger is probably the best result of that experimentation.

    You can watch Captain America: The First Avenger on Disney+. 







  • Best Internet Providers in Brownsville, Texas

    Best Internet Providers in Brownsville, Texas


    What is the best internet provider in Brownsville?

    Spectrum is CNET’s pick for the best internet service provider in Brownsville, Texas. The cable provider blankets most of the area, offering speeds up to 1 gigabit without the hassle of long-term contracts. While T-Mobile Home Internet and AT&T Fiber are also available to some homes in Brownsville, your choice will likely depend on what providers serve your address and what features matter most to you. Ookla’s latest data says Brownsville has a median download speed of around 317 Mbps, so you should be able to get decent enough speeds in the area. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

    Looking for the best deal in town? Spectrum is also the cheapest ISP in Brownsville, offering speeds of up to 100 megabits per second for only $30 a month, although it’s only available for select households. If you don’t have a set budget and want the best internet, Spectrum Internet comes with download speeds up to 500Mbps for $50, too. If Spectrum is not available in your area, you can opt for T-Mobile’s $50 plan that gets you 245Mbps speed.

    For those hunting for the fastest internet service in Brownsville, AT&T Fiber is your best bet. AT&T Fiber is the only ISP to offer multi-gigabit plans in the area: 2,000Mbps for $145 or 5,000Mbps for $245 monthly.

    Best internet in Brownsville, Texas, in 2024

    Brownsville internet providers compared

    Provider Internet technology Monthly price range Speed range Monthly equipment costs Data cap Contract CNET review score
    AT&T Home Internet
    Read full review
    DSL hybrid $55 10-100Mbps None 1.5TB None 7.4
    AT&T Fiber
    Read full review
    Fiber $55-$245 300-5,000Mbps None None None 7.4
    Gigabit Fiber Fixed wireless $49-$99 50-100Mbps None None Varies N/A
    Spectrum
    Read full review
    Cable $30-$70 100-1,000Mbps Free modem; $10 router (optional) None None 7.2
    T-Mobile Home Internet
    Read full review
    Fixed wireless $50-$70 ($35-$55 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) 72-245Mbps None None None 7.4
    Valley Communications Association Fixed wireless/Fiber $55-$100 40-2,000Mbps (varies by location) $9 router and modem None None N/A
    Verizon 5G Home Internet
    Read full review
    Fixed wireless $60-$80 ($35-$45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) 50-1,000Mbps None None None 7.2

    Show more (2 items)

    Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

    What’s the cheapest internet plan in Brownsville?

    Provider Starting monthly price Max download speed Monthly equipment fee
    Spectrum Internet Advantage
    Read full review
    $30 100Mbps $10 (optional)
    Gigabit Fiber 50 $49 50Mbps None
    Spectrum Internet Premier
    Read full review
    $50 500Mbps $10 (optional)
    Verizon 5G Home Internet
    Read full review
    $60 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) 300Mbps None
    AT&T Home Internet
    Read full review
    $55 100Mbps None
    AT&T Fiber 300
    Read full review
    $55 300Mbps None
    Valley Communications Association Basic $55 40Mbps $9
    T-Mobile Home Internet
    Read full review
    $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) 245Mbps None

    Show more (3 items)

    Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

    How to find internet deals and promotions in Brownsville

    The best internet deals and top promotions in Brownsville depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

    How many members of your household use the internet?

    Brownsville internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, such as AT&T and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round. 

    For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

    Brownsville Market Square in Brownsville, Texas.

    Photo by DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Fastest internet plans in Brownsville

    Provider Starting price Max download speed Max upload speed Data cap Connection type
    AT&T Fiber 5000
    Read full review
    $245 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps None Fiber
    AT&T Fiber 2000
    Read full review
    $145 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps  None Fiber
    Valley Communications Ultimate $100 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps None Fiber
    AT&T Fiber 1000
    Read full review
    $80 1,000Mbps 1,000Mbps None Fiber
    Spectrum Internet Gig
    Read full review
    $70 1,000Mbps 35Mbps None Cable
    Valley Communications Family $80 1,000Mbps 1,000Mbps None Fiber
    Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet
    Read full review
    $80 ($45 with eligible mobile plan) 1,000Mbps 75Mbps None Fixed wireless

    Show more (2 items)

    Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

    What’s a good internet speed?

    Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

    For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

    • 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
    • 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
    • 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 
    • 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming. 
    • 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

    How CNET chose the best internet providers in Brownsville

    Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

    But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

    Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

    1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
    2. Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
    3. Are customers happy with their service?

    While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

    To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

    Internet providers in Brownsville FAQs

    What is the best internet service provider in Brownsville?

    Spectrum is CNET’s pick for internet service in Brownsville, Texas, due to its wide availability, cheap pricing and simple service details.

    Is fiber internet available in Brownsville?

    Yes, but availability is scarce. According to the FCC, less than 6% of Brownsville households can access fiber internet. If you’re searching for providers offering fiber connectivity, your best bet will be AT&T Fiber or Valley Communications Association.

    What is the cheapest internet provider in Brownsville?

    Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Brownsville, offering 100Mbps for only $30 per month.

    Which internet provider in Brownsville offers the fastest plan?

    The fastest provider in Brownsville is AT&T Fiber, which offers 2 gigabits for $145 or 5 gigabits for $245 monthly.




  • I put AI photos on my Hinge dating profile. They were the most liked by far

    I put AI photos on my Hinge dating profile. They were the most liked by far


    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.

    Mashable After Dark

    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.

    Four of the photos I used to train the AI model and generate the images.

    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.

    Four AI-generated headshots of me, side-by-side.

    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.

    The five non-AI photos from my dating profile.

    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.

    Six of the comments from men on Hinge about some of my AI-generated headshots.

    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 images have in common. This was its answer.

    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.




  • The 25 Best Movies on Apple TV+ Right Now (February 2025)

    The 25 Best Movies on Apple TV+ Right Now (February 2025)


    When it comes to originals, Netflix and Amazon have the deepest libraries of prestige movies. But ever since CODA won the Best Picture Oscar, it’s become clear that some of the best movies are on Apple TV+.

    As with any streaming service, not every film on the roster is a winner, but from the Billie Eilish documentary to Sundance darlings, Apple’s streaming service is building up a strong catalog to run alongside its growing slate of beloved TV shows.

    Below are WIRED’s picks for flicks you should prioritize in your queue. Once you’re done, hop over to our list of the best movies on Netflix and the best movies on Disney+. If you’re feeling a little more episodic, our guide for the best shows on Amazon might be just the ticket.

    If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

    The Gorge

    When the guy who made Doctor Strange and Sinister decides to make a horror movie starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Sigourney Weaver, and Miles Teller, you owe it to yourself to check it out. Taylor-Joy and Teller play military operatives tasked with guarding a freaky gorge in the wilderness. They’re stuck on opposite sides, but the menacing something deep in the chasm brings them together in a quest to survive.

    Fly Me to the Moon

    So, you know that conspiracy theory about Stanley Kubrick faking the Apollo 11 moon landing? If you don’t, you really should go down a Wikipedia rabbit hole on that one. When you’re done, watch this Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum comedy about a marketing whiz (Johansson) who gets hired to film a mocked-up version of Neil Armstrong’s famous giant leap for mankind on the off chance the mission didn’t go off as planned. This one has been on Apple TV+ for a while now and is still one of the service’s most popular films currently. Probably with good reason. It’s wild stuff, but no less wild than looking for clues to Kubrick’s secret involvement with NASA in The Shining.

    Blitz

    Written and directed by Oscar-winner Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), Blitz shows World War II through the eyes of a 9-year-old boy named George (Elliott Heffernan). Sent by his mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) to the safety of the English countryside, George escapes in an attempt to be reunited with his mom and grandfather in East London. What ensues is George’s harrowing quest to be reunited with his mom, but this is a McQueen film, so that’s only part of the story.

    The Last of the Sea Women

    On the coast of South Korea’s Jeju Island, women rule the sea. They’re called haenyeo, and for centuries they have gone diving to harvest seafood. Sue Kim’s new documentary follows these women—often referred to as real-life mermaids—as they struggle to keep their way of life in the face of societal and environmental changes. Emboldened by a new generation that wants to amplify haenyeo on social media, they may find a path after all. Produced by Malala Yousafzai, it’s a journey into cross-generational unity and the value of tradition.

    Wolfs

    If you heard anything about Wolfs, it probably wasn’t about its plot. Stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt were in the news a lot around its 2024 release, but mostly because of their salaries and their goofing off in Venice. But if you want to know what Wolfs is about, the short version is that Clooney and Pitt play the kind of guys who make problems go away, and when they’re both called in for the same job, they get to bicker with each other about who is losing their edge more. Might be light on substance, but it’s still a pretty good time. The movie hits theaters on September 20, and lands on Apple TV+ a week later.

    The World’s a Little Blurry

    When it originally came out in 2021, The World’s a Little Blurry proved to be an unprecedented look into the life of pop phenom Billie Eilish as the then-teenager recorded her debut LP When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Director R. J. Cutler got amazing access for the film, which chronicles everything from Eilish’s songwriting process with her brother Finneas to her frank talk about her Tourette’s. It also was only a small chapter of the singer’s life. Now that she’s won multiple Grammys and Oscars, started singing about eating girls for lunch, and performed at the Olympics Closing Ceremony, watching Blurry feels like opening a time capsule—in all the best ways. It’s the kind of music documentary that redefines the music documentary.

    The Velvet Underground

    You may think that director Todd Haynes only makes intense dramas like Carol and May December, but for this film he went deep into the art scene in New York City in the 1960s to unearth what happened when the Velvet Underground exploded a lot of people’s ideas of music. Piecing together new interviews with archive footage and even old Andy Warhol films, it captures a moment in music history that changed things forever.

    Fancy Dance

    Set on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma, Fancy Dance follows the journey of Jax (Killers of the Flower Moon’s Lily Gladstone), a woman who has been caring for her niece Roki ever since her sister, Roki’s mother, went missing. After the authorities deem Jax unfit to care for her niece, Roki is sent to live with her grandfather. Looking for answers, Jax takes Roki on the road to try to find her mother and ends up trying to escape the same authorities, who aren’t putting the same effort into finding her missing sister as they are in trying to find her. An examination of life on colonized land, Fancy Dance is also a thoughtful look at protecting community.

    Girls State

    Do you remember the 2020 documentary Boys State, about a group of young men in Texas who attend a summer program where the are challenged to form their own government? Girls State is similar—it even comes from the same filmmaking team of Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine—but it follows a group of people who have never seen someone of their gender hold the office of US president. It’s also set in Missouri, not Texas. Expect all the same wild ambition and hearbreak—and more than a few life lessons learned.

    Napoleon

    OK, so Napoleon didn’t exactly get critics’ pens flying, but sometimes you’re just in the mood for a big, prestige-y Ridley Scott historical drama, you know? This one stars Joaquin Phoenix as the title character, following his quest to conquer, well, as much as he possibly can. Rather than being a sprint to the Battle of Waterloo, however, this pic gives attention to the French emperor’s emotionally rocky relationship with his wife Joséphine de Beauharnais (Vanessa Kirby). What happens when a man can conquer most of Europe but not his own feelings? Watch and find out.

    Killers of the Flower Moon

    Martin Scorsese’s epic film is based on David Grann’s 2017 book about a member of the Osage Nation, Mollie Burkhart, who sought to get to the bottom of the deaths in her family. Set in 1920s Oklahoma, a time when many Osage were being killed for the money made from oil on their land, Scorsese’s film follows the relationship between Mollie (played by Lily Gladstone, who won a Golden Globe for her performance) and Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and what happens when the FBI comes to investigate the Osage deaths. When WIRED named it one of 2023’s best movies, we called it “a feel-bad masterpiece,” and we stand by that.

    Fingernails

    Can technology determine whether you’ve found The One? Probably not, but in the latest from writer-director Christos Nikou, an institute run by Duncan (Luke Wilson) claims that it has found the formula for true love anyway—and Anna (Jessie Buckley) wants to figure out if it’s real. The institute, you see, has determined that Anna and her boyfriend Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) are a match, but has doubts. While working at the institute, though, she meets Amir (Riz Ahmed) and finds someone who actually might be her match.

    Flora and Son

    Remember Sing Street, that charming indie about a kid in Dublin who starts a band as an escape from his complicated home life? What about Once, that charming indie about a pair that spends a week in Dublin writing songs about their love? If you enjoyed either of those—or if they just sound like something you might enjoy—let us suggest Flora and Son, a charming indie about a mother in Dublin trying to connect with her son through song. Like Sing Street and Once, Flora and Son comes from director John Carney and has all of his signature moves, plus something else: Eve Hewson, who plays the movie’s titular mom. She’s a force, and she hits all of her musician notes perfectly. Makes sense; she’s Bono’s daughter.

    Stephen Curry: Underrated

    Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry might be one of the most beloved players in American basketball—and he is definitely one of the best players, if not the best player, in the league. He has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player twice and has won four championship rings. He also has more career three-pointers than anyone in the league. But in the late aughts, he was a kid at a small school, Davidson College, just trying to live up to the potential his coaches saw in him. Underrated, directed by Peter Nicks (Homeroom), chronicles that journey, showing how Curry bested the predictions of his own NBA draft (many said he didn’t have the size necessary for the league) to become one of the greatest to ever play the game. For basketball fans, it’s a must-watch.

    Beastie Boys Story

    One of the pioneering groups in hip-hop, the Beastie Boys have a story like no other. For this “live documentary,” filmmaker Spike Jonze filmed Mike Diamond (Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock) as they told a crowd at Brooklyn’s Kings Theater about their rise to stardom. Complete with old footage, photos, and stories from the group’s decades-long career, the doc captures just how influential the Beasties have been since they started playing music together as kids in New York City in the late ’70s and early ’80s. It also features some wonderful memories of their third member, Adam “MCA” Yauch, who died in 2012 following a battle with cancer.

    CODA

    This is the one that put Apple TV+ on the map. The movie’s title is an acronym for “child of deaf adults.” It’s the story of Ruby, the only hearing person in a family that includes two deaf parents and one deaf sibling. When Ruby discovers a love of music, she’s forced to reconcile her own aspirations with those of her family, who run a small fishing business and often need her to help communicate. Warm and gripping, CODA is the kind of movie that will have you cheering and crying at the same time.

    Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie

    In 1985, Michael J. Fox was one of Hollywood’s biggest names as the star of a hit TV show (Family Ties) and the year’s highest-grossing movie (Back to the Future). Just a few years later, at the age of 29, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In Still, Oscar-winning documentarian Davis Guggenheim offers a poignant portrait of Fox’s personal and professional life and his journey from teen idol to advocate for a cure.

    Swan Song

    Mahershala Ali stars alongside, well, Mahershala Ali in this romantic-sci-fi-drama. Yes, it’s all of those things. Cameron (Ali) is a loving husband (to Naomie Harris) and father who, after learning he has a terminal illness, must decide just how far he’ll go to protect his family from having to know the truth, or deal with the devastating aftermath.

    Sharper

    Sharper is one of those movies where the less you know about it going in, the better. Just know that no one is what they seem or who they say they are in this neo-noir starring Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, and John Lithgow. This twisty little thriller flew largely under the radar when it was released in theaters for a half-second in early 2023.

    Cha Cha Real Smooth

    “Sundance hit starring Dakota Johnson”s are almost a dime a dozen, but this one, about a young bar/bat mitzvah party-starter is the, ahem, real deal. It also proves that Cooper Raiff—who writes, directs, and stars in the movie—is one to keep your eye on.

    The Tragedy of Macbeth

    Yes, most people already know the story of Macbeth—Scottish lord with an eye toward ruling his country—but not everyone has seen it through the eyes of director Joel Coen. Shot entirely in black and white and starring Denzel Washington as Macbeth and Frances McDormand as his powerful wife, the film was nominated for three Oscars and brought a very new twist onto a classic Shakespearean tale.

    Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues

    Above all else, Louis Armstrong is known as one of the most famous jazz musicians of all time. But he was also a figure in the struggle for equality in America—albeit a complicated one. As director Sacha Jenkins illustrates in this documentary, while Armstrong broke racial barriers in entertainment he also faced accusations that he didn’t stand up as much for civil rights as other performers of his era. Jenkins got access to scores of photographs, clippings, and even recordings Armstrong made of his own conversations for this documentary, and that access provides a much fuller picture of the legendary musician than the world has ever had.

    Tetris

    One of the most popular video games of all time, Tetris was a phenomenon for Nintendo Game Boy owners in the 1980s. But Tetris (the movie) is the story of the people who made the game and brought it from the then-Soviet Union to the rest of the world. Part historical dramedy, part espionage flick, the movie doesn’t always hit its marks, but if you’ve never heard the story of how Tetris got out from behind the Iron Curtain, it’s worth a watch.

    Causeway

    Causeway kind of came and went when it was released in 2022, but that’s also the sort of movie it is. Focused on a soldier (Jennifer Lawrence) who returns home after suffering a brain injury in Afghanistan, the film from director Lila Neugebauer is about trauma and how people lean on each other to get through it. A worthy watch for the times when you have your own stuff to work through.

    Sidney

    Sidney Poitier died in 2022, the same year Apple TV+ released this documentary looking at the actor’s long-running career—In the Heat of the NightGuess Who’s Coming to Dinner—and impact on American culture and politics. With interviews ranging from Spike Lee and Morgan Freeman to Harry Belafonte, the film goes beyond his time in Hollywood, starting with his upbringing in the Bahamas and ending with his massive impact on the civil rights movement and elsewhere.