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iRobot doesn't participate in CES, so we don't typically get much new Roomba hype in late winter like we do for some of its competitors.

But for iRobot this year, skipping out on CES doesn't mean skipping out on that prime spring cleaning spotlight. iRobot announced four new series of Roombas on March 11 — and it's not like a Roomba drop you've ever seen before. Prices range from $299 to $999, with all models opening for preorder at irobot.com on March 18 and shipping beginning on March 23.

iRobot was clearly over having blindspots in its lineup

Roombas have always been a staple in the robot vacuum market because iRobot is often the first brand to bring innovative new robot vacuum features to the mainstream. Everyone was wowed by a robot vacuum that could remember a map of your home or empty itself with the i7+ in 2018, or a robot vacuum that could avoid phone chargers with the j7 in 2021.

But iRobot tends to plateau after that rush wears off. Other big robot vacuum brands catch up and make those once-fancy features available at lower price points, and both the cheapest and the fanciest Roombas alike struggle to be a bang for your buck. iRobot heard those qualms and did something — a lot of things, actually — about it.

SEE ALSO: Need a robot vacuum that actually works on carpet? These 3 performed the best in my home.

I think that this 2025 Roomba showcase has more variety and depth than all Roomba drops from the past few years combined — you could probably go as far as to call it a full overhaul of the Roomba family tree. With circular LiDAR laser towers sitting atop most of the new models and each coming in a white option, there's little resemblance to be seen to the older Roombas.

In total, there are eight new Roombas falling under four different umbrellas: the Roomba 105 or 205, or Roomba Plus 405 or 505. White Roombas are finally an option now for anyone who just doesn't vibe with the black plasticky look. Some mop, some self-empty, some do both, offering opportunities to mix and match the features you prioritize with a price point that feels comfy. One crucial robot vacuum feature applies across the board, though: smart mapping.

Let's get into the differences between the 2025 Roombas.

New budget Roomba: Roomba 105 Series Credit: iRobot Credit: iRobot

• Roomba 105 (standalone) — $299

• Roomba 105 with AutoEmpty dock — $449

• Roomba 105 Combo (standalone) — $319

• Roomba 105 Combo with AutoEmpty dock — $469

While the mid-range to high-end Roombas at least start off being groundbreaking, the low-end cheap Roombas have had a history of being underwhelming from the jump. For instance, iRobot ushered in two new budget Roombas in April 2024 — neither of which had smart mapping, both of which retailed at $250 or more. The Combo 2 Essential, which does mop and self-empty but still doesn't smart map, later debuted at $424.99. At this point in the game, a robot vacuum that just bumps around and hopes to get to the right spot is all but guaranteed to be more trouble than it's worth, especially if you're paying more than, like, $100.

SEE ALSO: Honest review of Ruggable: Are the washable rugs worth the price?

The new Roomba 105 series is a much smarter option for the $300 to $500 range. All 105 models are equipped with LiDAR-powered smart mapping to clean specific rooms on command. Compared to the older mid-range Roomba i3 and i5 models, the Roomba 105s use a four-stage cleaning system instead of three-stage, offering up to 70 times the suction power compared to the old base-tier 600 series Roombas.

If you're on a budget, there's still a lot of room for customization within your Roomba 105 purchase. The two without Combo in the title don't mop, but one of the non-Combos does still offer automatic emptying. Alternatively, you could save money and space by choosing a Combo version without the AutoEmpty dock.

New mid-tier Roomba: Roomba 205 Series Credit: iRobot Credit: iRobot

• Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac — $449

• Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo — $469

The Roomba 205 DustCompactor series was blessed with the coolest innovation on this list, providing a much-needed alternative to bulky self-emptying docks for people who live in small spaces. Rather than trying to squeeze a self-empty canister into the most compact dock possible, iRobot found a way to simply compact the dust itself. As debris is sucked in, the Roomba 205 condenses it, enough to leave you off the hook from emptying the onboard dust bin for up to 60 days.

With a dock no bigger than your average box of tissues and the Roomba itself omitting the LiDAR tower to stay flat on top, this is a rare option that can be fully stored under a TV stand, credenza, or even a bed — without having to give up the convenience of automatic "emptying."

The Roomba 205 DustCompactor also uses the upgraded four-stage cleaning system and can be purchased in a Combo or non-Combo version.

New premium Roombas: Roomba Plus 405 Combo and 505 Combo The Roomba Plus 405 Combo. Credit: iRobot The Roomba Plus 505 Combo. Credit: iRobot

• Roomba Plus 405 Combo + AutoWash Dock — $799

• Roomba Plus 505 Combo + AutoWash Dock — $999

These last two Roomba releases aren't the first time we've seen the AutoWash Dock from iRobot, but they do mark the first time we've seen a Roomba with self-washing and drying mopping pads debut under $1,000 (or under $800, in the 405's case). This is the meshing of premium maintenance features and practical prices that we've been itching to see from iRobot for years.

Both the 405 and 505 ditch the retractable mopping arm that is iRobot's claim to fame on the Combo j7, j9, and 10 Max lines. In its place are two spinning mopping pads, or what iRobot is referring to as DualClean. In my briefing on these products with iRobot, I learned that the company has found that customers find this dual-spinning pad system to scrub more reliably than one big, flat pad.

SEE ALSO: Dyson's cheapest laser vacuum made me feel bad about my dirty floors...in a good way

One main difference between the 405 and 505 models is that the spinning pads on the Roomba Plus 505 use iRobot's PerfectEdge technology, meaning they can swing out from under the circular vacuum to mop along edges and in corners. This hinged pad design is one I've experienced in a few Roborock models now, and the attention to detail has been a game changer for me, especially near the kitchen counters. That's the true wall-to-wall robot vacuum experience.

The Roomba Plus 505 also incorporates another navigational non-negotiable of mine: small obstacle avoidance. Because robot vacuums with this technology can avoid random clutter on the floor like charging cords, loose laundry, and pet waste, you can start a spontaneous cleaning without having to tidy up the floor first. I've tested a ton of robot vacuums with this capability in the past two years, but iRobot's PrecisionVision obstacle avoidance has consistently been the most accurate. While several Roombas at multiple price points can already do this, the Roomba Plus 505 Combo is the only Roomba under $1,000 to offer this and the AutoWash Dock. The other option is the Combo 10 Max, which retails for $1,399.

Many interactive installations at the annual XR Experience at SXSW offer a mix of the experimental and the emotional. But in 2025, few offer a wilder ride on these two tracks than Traces: The Grief Processor, an interactive VR installation from Vali Fugulin and Couzin Films.

Unlike many XR Experience projects that lean into spectacle, Traces is quiet and intimate. It’s a multi-user VR experience where four participants step into a space shaped by those who came before them.

And while Traces isn't a substitute for therapy, it is a unique, almost playful way to process your grief — no matter what kind of grief you happen to be experiencing.

Traces makes this clear right at the start, with a deeply personal choice. You’re asked to share a photo that stirs feelings of grief, whether that's a loved one, a lost moment, or something else entirely. You also enter a short phrase, something you’d tell yourself to ease that emotion.

SEE ALSO: When virtual reality meets psychedelic therapy

These elements become a permanent part of Traces, layering on the experience with the echoes of previous users. "During the pandemic, as I grappled with profound grief, I found myself yearning for connection, yet unsure how to express my sorrow," Fugulin says in a statement.

Fugulin says Traces isn’t about mourning recent losses; she even cautions against using photos of someone who just passed. But that didn’t stop attendees from being visibly moved. One teary-eyed user thanked Fugulin and producer Ziad Touma after the session.

And while I haven’t faced a major loss recently, I still found myself caught up in the experience. My contribution was a photo of my cat, because I felt guilty leaving him to attend SXSW.

Others shared snapshots from past vacations or younger versions of themselves — grieving not just people but places, memories, and versions of their own lives that no longer exist. And that’s the point.

As Fugulin puts it, grief isn’t just about death. It’s about change, about time, about the things we can’t get back. And in Traces, those fragments of loss become something new — woven together in a virtual space where grief isn’t just personal but shared.

The journey of Traces is led by Fugulin and her longtime friend, Quebecois actor and ritualist Stéphane Crête. The pair craft a documentary-style VR experience that feels both intimate and immersive — a rare combination at SXSW.

Without giving too much away, Traces invites you into something personal, reflective, and unexpectedly moving. You won’t walk away disappointed — and you might just learn something about yourself in the process.

The internet giant owns 14% of the high-profile artificial intelligence company, according to legal filings obtained by The New York Times.

TikTok is once again expanding its parental control options, launching new Family Pairing features that allow parents and guardians greater control over screen time and access to their kids' followers.

SEE ALSO: Apple's child safety changes put more of the onus on app developers

The app's updated supervision feature lets parents of teen users view their children's followers and the accounts they follow in return, as well as any accounts their teen has blocked. Later this year, TikTok will release an additional feature that allows teens to notify their parents or caregivers when they report a video.

Parents will have more options to limit their teens' screen time with the new Time Away feature, as well, which lets parents block app access for select hours during the day. Parents can also elect their teen into reoccurring, scheduled access, and are given the power to approve teen requests for extended screen time. If a teens opens the app during an unscheduled time, they will be alerted by a pop-up and won't be able to access the app without permission.

In addition, the platform says teens can expect additional "Wind Down" reminders for users under 18 years old (TikTok allows users as young as 13) who are on the app after 10 p.m., part of its larger array of screen time reminders and a platform-wide emphasis on mindfulness and mental health.

Credit: TikTok

“TikTok’s latest iteration of its parental controls and online safety tools is a welcome development for families looking to both protect their children from harm and empower them as responsible digital citizens," said Stephen Balkam, CEO and Founder of the Family Online Safety Institute, in a press release. "Most importantly, these tools give parents greater support in fostering open, ongoing conversations about their children’s technology use."

Overall, TikTok has taken longer than some of its other competitors, like Meta, to implement such monitoring tools. TikTok has previously released features like screen time limits, direct messaging controls, and content restrictions, responding to widespread concern about the effect of the social media platform on teen users' mental health.

Tesla stock is plummeting.

Elon Musk's EV car company had its worst day on the stock market since September 2020. All of Tesla's post-election gains on the market have been completely wiped out.

Musk broke his silence after the markets closed on Monday.

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 "It will be fine long-term," he said in a reply to a user referencing the biggest single-day drops in Tesla stock history.

While Musk attempts to calm investors, it's clear that Tesla may very well be in trouble.

Tesla is currently facing a large boycott campaign over Musk's ties to President Donald Trump and the far-right. Musk's advocacy for Trump may have been good for his companies in the short term right after the election, but it appears Trump's presidency has been unpopular so far – at least with Tesla's potential consumer base.

Musk directly getting involved as a special government employee with the Trump administration's DOGE has put the Tesla CEO directly involved with dismantling government agencies and programs that many people in the U.S. and around the world depend on.

As a result of all of this, Tesla's sales have been dropping globally, with dramatic decreases in Tesla purchases as high as 76 percent in some countries like Germany. Tesla owners have been reportedly selling their vehicles to avoid being mistaken as a supporter of Musk's politics.

Protests have been popping up around the world at Tesla's showrooms. The situation has been escalating to the point where people are vandalizing Tesla vehicles and charging stations to show their disapproval of Musk.

President Trump is now stepping in to defend Musk and Tesla directly.

On Monday night, Trump declared that activists were trying to "illegally and collusively boycott Tesla," which Trump called Musk's "baby."

"I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American," Trump said.

Mashable notes that as of Tuesday morning Trump has offered up no evidence that he followed through with his pledge to buy a Tesla vehicle.

As for Musk, he's spent the day personally thanking his fans, such as conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, for voicing their support for Tesla on his social media platform X.

"I FULLY, 1000 PERCENT SUPPORT DOGE AND I AM BUYING MORE TESLA STOCK!!" posted comedian Rob Schneider.

Musk replied to Schneider with a heart emoji.

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TL;DR: Use code FAMPLAN to grab AdGuard's ad-blocker, malware protection, and more for nine devices for only A$25.

It seems as though ads run your life, popping up as unskippable video ads on YouTube or targeted promos that make it seem as though your phone is actually listening to your conversations. Rather than dealing with pesky ads for another day, invest in AdGuard.

The AdGuard Family Plan could be your permanent solution for banishing ads — as well as a smart addition that protects your devices and prevents malware and online trackers from ruining your digital experience. Grab lifetime access for only A$25 (down from A$63) with code FAMPLAN when you checkout at the Mashable Shop.

All-in-one ad-blocking and privacy protection

AdGuard handily eliminates ads from your devices, so it's no surprise that it boasts 1,400+ five-star ratings. It's designed to remove distracting banners, intrusive pop-ups, or irritating YouTube ads for pet food, but you can also create filters to customize your experience on different platforms and manually block any missed ads.

In addition to streamlining your browsing, streaming, and gaming, AdGuard acts as a digital bodyguard, shielding your digital activity from trackers and analyzers. It even protects your devices from harmful malware and phishing scams, keeping your digital world safe and secure.

Since this AdGuard plan works on up to nine devices — including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS — simultaneously, it's perfect for families. Those with children will also appreciate this ad-blocker's parental controls. You'll be able to restrict content that's inappropriate for your kids, ensuring they can only watch Peppa Pig, Bluey, and other child-friendly content.

Ditch the ads and protect your browsing by grabbing this AdGuard Family Plan lifetime subscription for nine devices, now just A$25 when you use code FAMPLAN at checkout.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard Software AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription AU$25 at the Mashable Shop
AU$269 Save AU$244 Get Deal

Apple announced the MacBook Air M4 a week ago, and as per the norm, people are clamoring to learn more about Apple’s new, more affordable laptop. Reviews have already sprung up across the Internet from the likes of CNET, MKBHD, and Ars Technica, among others. 

There’s good reason to be excited. In our hands-on, Mashable’s Stan Schroeder noted the familiar feel of the modern MacBook Air family while also praising Apple for finally including 16GB of RAM on the base model. For the most part, the M4 MacBook Air appears to focus  mostly on refining previous iterations  while remaining ultraportable.

So, with a mix of some new features  while also including a lot of similarities to  prior releases, reviewers at times criticized  Apple’s aging design while remaining enthusiastic about some of the upgrades. We encourage you to seek out reviews but if you want a TL;DR, here are the biggest things reviewers liked and disliked about Apple’s new Macbook Air. 

4 things reviewers liked about the MacBook Air M4

Overall, reviews for the MacBook Air M4 were staggeringly positive. Apple has always been pretty consistent about delivering a complete product, and that’s the general sentiment of reviewers across the Internet. However, here were some things that especially stood out about the M4 to reviewers. 

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

It’s true that Apple only updates its laptop chassis about once every half-decade or so. Thus, the first thing you may notice about the MacBook Air M4 is that it looks strikingly like the MacBook Air M3 and the M2. We’ll talk more about Apple’s penchant for reusing its designs later, but for the vast majority of reviews, everyone appears to be cool with it. 

Gizmodo notes that the latest MacBook Air still feels good to use while maintaining a solid display and sound quality from the speakers. The M4 also carries over the quiet, fanless design from prior models, which PCMag was happy to see in their review. (Full disclosure: PCMag is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as Mashable.) Wired echoed this sentiment, stating that Apple reached peak MacBook Air design with the M3 model and that carries over to the M4. 

In short, there wasn’t much in the way of negativity when it comes to the basics of the MacBook Air. The keyboard, screen, speakers, and overall design are still highlights, giving consumers a very portable package that still looks and feels good to use. About the only complaint here is the notch for the front-facing camera, which is still as intrusive as it was on the M2 and M3. 

The spec upgrades were a long time coming

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the M4 is faster than the M3, as that tends to happen when new chips come out. For the record, the PCMag notes that the M4 boosts AI performance by a significant percentage, while SixColors did benchmarks to show that it was overall faster than the M3 processor. So, the performance gains are quite good and worthy of praise all on their own.

However, the inclusion of the M4 took a backseat to another performance-related upgrade that users and reviewers alike have been begging Apple to include for a few years now. 

That change is the upgrade to 16GB of RAM on the base model of the MacBook Air M4. This is a big deal, as prior base models made do with 8GB. In a fast-paced technological landscape where a single browser tab can eat a couple of GB worth of RAM and AI applications can take up even more, doubling the RAM on the most budget-friendly models signals that Apple really does listen to its customers sometimes. Every reviewer we saw praised the change.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces MacBook Air with M4 chip for less than $1,000 Better cameras, better displays

The one big change to Apple’s formula that reviewers talked about was the upgraded front-facing camera. It has been upgraded to 12 MP from the 1080p camera that was featured on the MacBook Air M3. Along with the boost to the megapixels, the webcam also features Apple’s Center Stage and Desk View features. 

Desk View uses the wide angle on the 12 MP camera to show your face and your desktop at the same time, while Center Stage uses that same wide angle to keep the user centered in the frame while in voice calls. Some reviewers like Wired and MKBHD turned the software features off, but Wired was appreciative of the higher resolution.

It’s a small thing, but Ars Technica noted the differences in quality are noticeable if you look close enough. SixColors noted that the camera is much better in low light than its predecessor. In short, the new webcam is sharper and better, albeit not by a whole bunch. However, it does keep pace with the MacBook Pro M4, which received the same upgrade when it came out last year.

In addition, nearly every review praised the MacBook Air for its newfound ability to connect two 6K displays at 60 Hz without needing to turn the internal display off. 

The price tag is on point

The big narrative that all reviewers enjoyed was that Apple kept the base price of the MacBook Air M4 reasonable. It starts at the same price as the MacBook Air M3, which is $999 for the 13-inch model and $1,199 for the 15-inch model. 

Reviewers praised Apple for keeping the price the same between generations. In prior years, the price for a base MacBook Air has fluctuated quite a bit. The MacBook Air M1 went for the usual $999 before Apple bumped up the price for the M2 to $1,199. This was a complaint several people had at the time, and Apple brought the price back down to $999 for the M3 model and appears to be keeping it for the M4 model as well.

So, in short, you can get all of the above upgrades along with Apple’s already excellent design, screen, and speakers for under $1,000 before tax. Most reviewers agree that this makes it the best MacBook for typical use and that an upgrade to a MacBook Pro is only really needed for more hardcore use cases. 

SEE ALSO: Hands on with the M4 MacBook Air: The sky blue color is SO subtle 4 things reviewers didn’t like about the MacBook Air M4

No product is perfect, even if it’s from Apple, and reviewers made sure to issue grievances to make sure people know that. Reviewers noted a few disappointments, although none of them appear to be deal-breakers. In any case, let’s not bury the lede too far here and get right into it. 

That blue ain’t blue

Apple introduced a new Sky Blue colorway for the MacBook Air M4, and its reception has been lukewarm at best. Virtually all reviewers note that it’s basically a cold silver color, or silver with just a hint of blue. In fact, here at Mashable we had to put the blue MacBook Air next to a standard silver MacBook to see the difference, as it’s not immediately evident under certain lighting conditions. 

That isn’t to say that it looks bad, but some reviewers wished the blue had been a bit more saturated. Gizmodo compared the blue to Microsoft’s Surface Pro and noted that the Pro was what they would consider blue, whereas the sky blue MacBook was more silver with a blue tint. CNN wrote in its review that it would’ve called the color ice blue instead of sky blue.

While all reviewers noted the subtlety of the blue, not all of them disliked it. Ars Technica said they liked the subtle blue as an extra option alongside Apple’s three typical colors. Wired noted that the sky blue color made them wish Apple had even more color options to compete with the classic Apple silver, gold, and black. In short, we recommend looking at it in a store before buying so you know what kind of blue you’re getting. 

Apple Announces new Sky Blue M4 MacBook Air

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— Basic Apple Guy (@basicappleguy.com) March 5, 2025 at 9:16 AM The RAM is good, but not the storage

Several reviewers noted that while Apple finally increased the RAM to 16GB, the storage remained at a less-than-stellar 256 GB on the base model MacBook Air M4. The issue here is fairly evident. That amount of storage simply doesn’t get you as far as it used to.

There are myriad reasons for this depending on how you use your laptop. Modern AI applications can take up dozens of GBs, if not more, with add-ons and extras. Modern MacBooks also come with AI Intelligence baked in, which eats into the storage before users have a chance to install anything. Software isn’t getting any smaller either. 

Anyone shopping for a MacBook Air and thinking of taking Apple up on any of its expensive upgrades, storage might be the first one we’d look to do.

It’s a boring laptop

It’s unreasonable to expect a flashy new product every 365 days, but that doesn’t make it any less boring when companies don’t do it. While most reviewers praised Apple for putting together a complete package, there isn’t too much about the MacBook Air M4 that separates it from the MacBook Air M3 (or even the M2) except for the upgrades listed above. 

Thus, a lot of the pros and cons are the same as in prior years. The latest MacBook Air has the same number of ports (sans the addition of a MagSafe charging port), the same scissor-switch chicklet keyboard, the same large but exceptionally functional trackpad, and the same overall design. 

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it didn’t give reviewers a lot to latch onto when it came to reviewing the laptop. Ars Technica noted that they had no additional notes, while MKBHD called his review of the MacBook Air M4 “too easy.” CNN said it was “the best boring laptop” they’d ever used. It’s still quite good, but MacBook M2 or M3 users looking for something more splashy will have to look to the MacBook Pro to get something super different. 

The 15-inch model is more comfortable

This one isn’t specific to the MacBook Air M4, but a few reviewers said that they would prefer the 15-inch model over the 13-inch model for the sake of comfort. Namely, CNET and CNN noted that they used the 15-inch model more during reviews. (Full disclosure: CNET is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as Mashable.) The reason is that the 15-inch model can fit more stuff on the screen comfortably, while the keyboard deck is a little bigger, allowing for more comfortable use. 

This isn’t intrinsic to Apple, though, and is a common theme among smaller laptops. There are plenty of good 13-inch laptops on the market, and they’re superior for portability, especially for students and business travelers. However, there is no denying that those extra two inches of space make for a more comfortable experience. So, if you’re shopping around, make sure to try out both to see if you can live with the 13-inch model. 

Hacks' Emmy-winning third season ended with everyone getting what they wanted.

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

Comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) became the new host of Late Night, a dream gig she'd once given up on, with her protégé-slash-punching bag Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) joining her as her head writer.

There's just one problem. In the Season 3 finale, Hacks revealed that Deborah had originally lied about the network not wanting to give Ava the position. But in reality, it was Deborah who didn't want her there for fear of rocking the boat too much. Ava retaliated by blackmailing Deborah into giving her the job, and with the release of the Season 4 trailer, we finally get a glimpse of what that aftermath will look like.

The trailer sees Deborah and Ava facing off everywhere from writers' rooms to the Las Vegas Speedway. (My bet's on Deborah for the racing win.) Plus, it gives a glimpse of what supporting characters Jimmy (Paul W. Downs), Kayla (Megan Stalter), Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins), and DJ (Kaitlin Olson) are up to. It seems like there will be a lot of celebrating Deborah's talk show success, even if there is turmoil behind the scenes.

Hacks Season 4 premieres Apr. 10.

If you're a content creator hoping to bring in big bucks on YouTube, you might want to pivot to chocolate instead. After all, it made MrBeast $20 million last year.

MrBeast, who you may know as Jimmy Donaldson, has certainly diversified his portfolio. The 26-year-old millionaire has leveraged his significant social media following — 372 million on YouTube and 66.5 million on Instagram — to sell a lot more than content. His company, Beast Industries, is a majority owner of Feastables, which sells his chocolate, which Mashable's Tim Marcin calls "pretty good!" The chocolate is so "pretty good" that it generated $250 million in sales and more than $20 million in profits last year, according to documents sent to potential investors reviewed by Bloomberg.

His media business, which includes his YouTube channel and his reality show, produced similar sales but lost nearly $80 million in the same time period, Bloomberg reported.

SEE ALSO: I tried MrBeast's new chocolate bars. They're pretty good!

As Casey Lewis pointed out in her newsletter After School, this comes at a time in which YouTube creators are having to spend more money to produce higher quality videos to keep up with a TV-viewing audience without a significant increase in pay from the platform, ads, or brands. This cost issue likely doesn't intimately affect MrBeast's work, but it seems to point towards a larger monetization trend: It might be more profitable to sell your brand in the shape of a chocolate bar than it is to sell your work on social media platforms.

Or it might just mean that people like chocolate.

SAVE $30: As of March 11, get a pair of OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro at OnePlus for $49.99, down from their usual price of $79.99 with promo code LUCKY25.

Opens in a new window Credit: OnePlus OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro for $30 off $49.99 at OnePlus
$79.99 Save $30.00 Promo Code: LUCKY25 Get Deal

The weather's warming up. It's time to bust out the shorts and sneakers, at least in many parts of the country, as spring is starting to arrive. That means it's a good time to take a few walks, hang out in your backyard, or just enjoy music while you're out and about. You can do that with a brand new pair of earbuds, and today a pair that we don't get to spotlight often is up for a great discount.

As of March 11, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are $49.99 at OnePlus, down from their usual price of $79.99, with $30 off thanks to promo code LUCKY25. All you have to do to claim the deal is add the buds to your cart, then apply the promo code before you check out. The discount will then be applied. This price applies to both the Soft Jade and Starry Black colorways.

These earbuds, which just debuted last August, offer excellent active noise cancellation and up to 44 hours of listening time per charge. They can cancel up to 49dB of noise, so you can rest assured that loud noises won't be a problem if you decide to listen to music or take calls with the buds. Plus, they offer deep, satisfying bass with Basswave 2.0.

When you've exhausted that, you only need 10 minutes to juice them back up for 11 additional hours, so the music never really has to stop if you don't want it to. And you get all this for under $100 normally, made even cheaper by the special LUCKY25 promo code. If you're on the lookout for some new earbuds, these are definitely a great contender to opt for, especially if you're a newcomer to the brand.

It’s pretty much assumed that using a smartphone means that some company somewhere is tracking you. However, people usually expect to have to actually use the thing before it starts to track their usage. Apparently, for Android users at least, that may not be the case. 

A recent study from D.J. Leith at Trinity College Dublin took a deep dive into the messy world of device IDs, trackers, and analytics cookies on Android devices and found that Google tracks users before they even have a chance to open an app. Leith was able to identify at least 14 cookies, trackers, and device identifiers that are created and stored on Android devices almost immediately upon setup. 

Worse yet, there doesn’t appear to be a way to permanently opt out of any of them. 

“No consent is sought or given for storing any of these cookies and other data, the purposes are not stated, and there is no opt out from this data storage,” Leith wrote in the study. “Most of this data is stored even when the device is idle following a factory reset and no Google apps have ever been opened by the user i.e. they were not set in response to services explicitly requested by the user.”

SEE ALSO: It's now easier to remove personal information from Google Search results

Leith posits that the reason for this is due to the sign-in process on Android devices. Once you sign in with your Google account, you’re automatically signed into every Google app that comes preinstalled on the device from the Google Play Store to Gmail, and thus, the apps.

Some of the trackers and cookies are easy enough to find information for. One example is the DSID cookie, which Google says is “used to identify a signed-in user on non-Google sites so that the user’s ads personalization setting is respected accordingly.” Leith noted that Google’s explanation is vague and doesn’t gainfully explain where the cookie originates from since it exists on Android devices even if no apps are opened.

Another one of the trackers is the Google Android ID. Leith says this device identifier is made during setup, can survive a factory reset, and transmits data about the user even if they’re not logged into a Google account. 

The report goes on to list everything Leith could find about the 14 trackers that he was able to identify, including where they may have come from, where they’re stored, and how they work. However, the underlying message is clear. Users have to mow through a ton of settings, permissions, and other hoops to put a stop to some of these. There is nothing a user can do to opt-out or delete all of them. 

Google has recently come under fire for its security and privacy practices. Last month, Google drew ire from Android users by forcibly installing SafetyCore on Android devices. It’s a feature that was meant to increase safety by filtering sensitive content. But Google flubbed the launch by installing it on Android devices without consent while also not telling anybody exactly what it does or how it works. Its rollout of the redesigned Results About You tool was much better as it gives people easier access to remove their data from Google Search.

SAVE $50: Get the Soundcore by Anker Sleep A20 noise-masking earbuds for just $99.99 in the Best Buy app, down from the usual price of $149.99. That's a 33% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore by Anker Sleep A20 noise-masking earbuds $99.99 at Best Buy
$149.99 Save $50.00 Best Buy app exclusive sale price Get Deal

Getting restorative sleep can be a struggle. We have a lot working against us when it comes to relaxing into a sweet dreamland. From doomscrolling to stress at work to sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress, you might feel like good sleep hasn't been attainable in years. If noise is one of the primary contributors to poor sleep, check out this deal exclusive to the Best Buy app.

As of March 11, the Soundcore by Anker Sleep A20 noise-masking earbuds are on sale via the Best Buy app for just $99.99, down from the usual price of $149.99. That's a 33% discount that takes $50 off the standard price. This sale is part of the Best Buy Drops program that's exclusive to the Best Buy app. To score this sale price, be sure you're logged into your free Best Buy account in the app. Keep in mind Best Buy Drops tend to sell out quickly, so hop on this deal if you're hoping for better sleep this spring.

One of the biggest sleep disruptors is noise. Maybe your partner snores, the dog barks at nothing at 3 a.m., or the neighbors rearrange furniture at dawn. Noise can be especially bothersome for light sleepers who wake up easily. If that sounds familiar, the Anker Sleep A20 noise-masking earbuds could be the perfect wellness hack.

SEE ALSO: The Avocado Green pillow is an eco-friendly choice for side sleepers

Since you'll be wearing these earbuds while sleeping, Anker designed them to be especially comfortable. The pressure-less Air Wing design on the Sleep A20 earbuds is meant to give an ultra-soft feel. The included earbuds feature a Twin-Seal ear tip that Anker says offers stronger passive noise blocking that's more effective at blocking out unwanted noise. The customizable sound library will help lull you off into a restful sleep.

Since most of us aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night, the Anker Sleep A20 earbuds come with about 14 hours of battery life on a single charge, but that increases to 80 hours with the included case. That means you'll be set for about 10 nights as long as you remember to stick them back in the case come morning.

You might now be wondering how you'd wake up to your morning alarm while wearing noise-masking earbuds. The earbuds come with the ability to set a custom personal alarm that'll gently wake you up come morning. Plus, waking up to an alarm via your earbuds means you won't disrupt a partner.

If noise is a primary reason your sleep quality is suffering, snag this sale on the Soundcore by Anker Sleep A20 noise-masking earbuds. These usually sell for $149.99 but they're on sale today only in the Best Buy app for just $99.99. Stock is disappearing quickly though, so hop to it if you're making sleep a priority this spring.

Reddit has added a few features aimed at keeping your posts live and free of rule violation in the drafting phase. Basically, the platform will think before you post for you.

Added in early March and currently rolling out in beta on iOS and Android, the social platform's new Rules Check tool allows users to check whether their post violates the rules of the subreddit before posting. Once you've drafted your post, you can have Reddit "review" it to flag any issues that might get the post taken down before it's live.

SEE ALSO: Reddit launches 'Answers' AI search tool to help solve your problems

In case you're not aware of what a particular subreddit's rules are, Reddit has also added a prominent note feature that allows you to see the community criteria like age limits or Karma minimums (Reddit's in-house system of rating community engagement).

Here's how to use Reddit's Rules Check, if you want a second opinion before that shower thought goes live on the internet.

How to use Reddit's Rules Check Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• Reddit account

Step 1: Draft your Reddit post.

Think about what you're writing and that it's going to be on the internet forever. Shocking advice, I know.

Step 2: Click the magic wand button in the bottom right.

This will prompt Reddit to review the post for violations of the community rules.

Step 3: Make any adjustments or don't, it's up to you.

Just know your post could be taken down if it breaks the subreddit's rules.

Relatedly, Reddit has added a new feature called Post Recovery, which now sits underneath removed posts that violate the platform's community rules. According to Reddit, the prompt is meant to "provide an easy way to repost the content to an alternative subreddit, helping people stay engaged in the conversation."

Mashable asked Reddit if there's a limit to reposting removed posts. Currently, the limit, as a North Shore mathlete once said, does not exist.

The last time Apple completely overhauled the iPhone's operating system was with iOS 7 in 2013. It appears as though 12 years has been long enough. Apple is reportedly preparing a major visual overhaul for iPhones with iOS 19, as well as big changes for iPads and Macs with new operating systems of their own.

According to a report this week from Bloomberg, Apple has been working on “one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the company’s history.” The update will include new design aesthetics along with new icons, a fresh approach to menus, new system buttons, and it’ll even change how apps work. 

Citing anonymous sources, Bloomberg reported the new software design — codenamed “Luck” on iOS and iPadOS, and “Cheer” for macOS 16 — is loosely based on the Apple Vision Pro. 

Apple’s operating systems are set to get their biggest overhaul in years — with icons, menus, apps and windows all getting a new look www.bloomberg.com/news/article... via @markgurman.bsky.social

[image or embed]

— Nick Turner (@newsynick.bsky.social) March 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM

Consistency across operating systems appears to be the goal for Apple, with Bloomberg noting the company wants swapping between systems to be a more seamless experience. Since Apple intends to borrow design elements from the Vision Pro, it seems that Apple wants all of its operating systems to look similar to one another. 

SEE ALSO: iOS 18.4 developer beta released — here's what you can expect

Bloomberg noted that Apple is likely hoping a fresh design will generate some hype and sales. Sales for Apple’s iPhone 16 series have been relatively sluggish and consumers have had a lukewarm reception to Apple Intelligence.

Mark Gurman at Bloomberg typically hits the nail on the head with Apple news, and this is not the first time a major software overhaul has been rumored. Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech first surfaced the rumor a month ago, showing off an iOS with circular icons and other changes in a YouTube video. Gurman’s report seems to correlate with what Prosser said, lending more weight to the idea that rumors of a revamped iOS 19 are true. 

Fortunately, people won’t have to wait long. Bloomberg reports  that the changes should be announced at this year’s WWDC event this summer.

As the final two episodes of Severance Season 2 approach, one question looms larger than any other: What in the world is Cold Harbor?

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' creator Dan Erickson breaks down Gemma's 'nightmarish' experience at Lumon

It's a mystery that's haunted us right from the Season 2 premiere, but since then, Severance has provided viewers with some major reveals that have better clued us into what these two words really mean.

From Mark's (Adam Scott) MDR file to Lumon's testing floor rooms, here's everything we know about Cold Harbor so far.

Cold Harbor is the name of Mark's current MDR file — and only he can complete it. The Cold Harbor file in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+

Let's start with the basics. As we learned back in Season 2, episode 1, Cold Harbor is the name of the file Mark is currently refining for Lumon. At the start of the season, he's 68 percent of the way through. By episode 7, he's 96 percent done with the file. However, as he recovers from his reintegration-induced seizure, there's no telling how quickly he'll be able to finish Cold Harbor.

SEE ALSO: Can consent exist in 'Severance'?

In the first two episodes of Season 2, Severance makes it clear that Mark — and only Mark — finishing Cold Harbor is Lumon's priority. That's why they hired him back after the Overtime Contingency fiasco that concluded Season 1. That's why they were so quick to give into his demands that his original team return to the severed floor.

Mark is such a key part of the Cold Harbor project because of his deep connection with Gemma (Dichen Lachman), on whom Lumon is experimenting as a result of MDR's refining. Speaking of...

Cold Harbor is one of the rooms Gemma goes through on the testing floor. Dichen Lachman and Sandra Bernhard in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+

Just like with MDR's other files — including Allentown, Dranesville, and Siena — Cold Harbor is the name of one of the many rooms that Gemma goes through daily on Lumon's testing floor.

As seen in episode 7, each room houses a different Severed identity of Gemma's, as well as an unpleasant situation, like a turbulent flight or a trip to the dentist. For each Innie, these experiences are their entire life, a nonstop loop of torture.

After Gemma endures the rooms, the sinister Dr. Mauer (Robbie Benson) prods her about whether she can recall anything that happened in them, or whether any emotions from her Innies' time in the rooms bled through to her. The answer is no, but that doesn't stop Gemma retaining physical pain — like aching teeth or a cramped hand — from some rooms.

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' finally reveals what Lumon is doing to Gemma. It's terrifying.

This line of questioning proves that Lumon is testing the severance barrier to see what, if anything, bleeds through from these terrible experiences. Based on that, it seems like Lumon's endgame is creating a way to sever all painful experiences, which they can then sell to the masses. As Dr. Mauer tells Gemma when she asks about seeing Mark, "Mark will benefit from the world you're siring. Kier will take away all his pain just as Kier has taken away yours."

Of all the rooms on the testing floor, there's only one that Gemma hasn't been in: Cold Harbor. Given that Mark has to be the one working on it, it's likely that this room presents the biggest emotional challenge yet. If the severance barrier can hold while Gemma is undergoing emotional turmoil that Mark somehow created or controlled, then Lumon knows its goal is complete.

What is in the Cold Harbor room? Dichen Lachman in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+

Since we haven't been in the Cold Harbor room yet, we can't know for certain. However, fan theories on Reddit speculate that the room will present Gemma's Cold Harbor Innie with the death of a loved one or a reminder of her miscarriage, therefore testing whether Gemma can forget devastating grief.

SEE ALSO: This 'Severance' Reddit theory may have finally answered the 'Cold Harbor' mystery What happens to Gemma after Mark finishes Cold Harbor? Dichen Lachman in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+

We obviously have a lot of questions about what Cold Harbor will turn out to be, but another nagging issue is what Lumon will do with Gemma once it's finally finished its big project.

When she asks Dr. Mauer outright what will happen after she goes through Cold Harbor, he tells her, "You will see the world again, and the world will see you."

In theory, then, Gemma will be going back out into the world. But will it be as herself? As Ms. Casey? As one of her other various Innies? After all, there's no way Lumon would willingly let someone they've kidnapped back out into the world unless they can control the narrative.

SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2, episode 8 finally confirms Miss Huang's whole deal

Another less-than-promising hint at Gemma's future comes during an episode 7 discussion between Dr. Mauer and Mr. Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), when Mr. Drummond says, "When [Mark] is done, you're gonna have to say goodbye to her."

But does that mean "goodbye" as in Gemma is leaving the hellhole of the testing floor for good? Or "goodbye" as in a permanent farewell to Gemma? When it comes to Lumon doublespeak, we should always skew more sinister — and it seems like no matter what Cold Harbor brings, Gemma is still very much in danger.

Severance Season 2 is now streaming on AppleTV+, with a new episode every Friday.

Southwest was known as the airline that didn't have everything, but it did have free bags — until now.

On Tuesday, March 11, the company announced that the only flyers who will get two free checked bags are Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and customers traveling on Business Select fares. A-List Members and other select customers will get one free checked bag. Everyone else? You'll have to pay up. Changes will go into effect for all flights booked on or after May 28.

"We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect," Bob Jordan, the president, CEO, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines, said in a press release. "We will do all this while remaining focused on what’s made us strong — our people and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning customer service only they can provide."

But people on X aren't so sure that's what makes Southwest strong. No, users would argue that the free bags made it strong.

SEE ALSO: Why we're doomscrolling about plane crashes even though air travel is relatively safe This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

One user pointed out that Southwest also recently eliminated its "sit wherever you want, we could care less" seating model, which disappointed customers at the time. It seems like Southwest is quickly becoming Spirit Airlines, but without Spirit's charming self-awareness.

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As many, many, many users pointed out on social media, there's not much that separates Southwest from its competitors, now. What's the point?

Apple's new M4 MacBook Air is here, with a new chip, new price, and a new color on offer. I took it for a quick spin.

Apple sent me the 15-inch variant of the new MacBook Air in the new "sky blue" color, with an M4 chip, 16GB of memory, and 1TB of storage space. I haven't yet spent enough time with it to tell you whether it's a good purchase, but I can say one thing: The sky blue color will only shine in a certain light.

So, so subtle.

Pulling the new Air out of its box, I thought there must've been a mistake, as the thing seemed gray to my eyes. Only after a direct comparison with my 16-inch, silver MacBook Pro was I able to determine that the device Apple sent me indeed has a blue hue to it.

Lighter, slimmer, and slightly more colorful than a silver, 16-inch MacBook Pro. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

In its marketing materials, Apple did say that the Air "creates a dynamic gradient when light reflects off of its surface," and it does, but you do need that light to see it. In other words, don't expect people to notice your new fancy Air unless it's basking in sunlight. Oh, and if you wondered, the MagSafe charge cable you get with it is color-matched.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted.

Enough about the color (the new Air is also available in midnight, starlight, and silver). The new Air, as I expected, was incredibly sleek and light next to my massive MacBook Pro. With a 15-inch LED display and at 2.7 pounds of weight, it's definitely not a small laptop, but I feel it still deserves the "Air" moniker, if only barely.

What else is new?

This year's MacBook Air seems to be about refinement. It looks and weighs the same as the last one, but it has the new, faster M4 chip, it starts with more RAM (16GB), it has a much-needed, upgraded 12-megapixel FaceTime camera, and it starts at $999 (down from $1,099) That's for the 13-inch variant, though; the 15-incher that I've tested starts at $1,199.

You get a matching MagSafe charge cable in the box. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

That's actually quite a lot of improvements, and while I didn't have time to truly put the new M4 chip to the test, the new Air seems to be a no brainer if you're looking for a sleek, portable Apple laptop.

Sure, the display doesn't get as bright as the one on my Pro, but having them both side by side right now, both on maximum brightness, I'm not really noticing that much of a difference. The fact that the Air's display only supports 60Hz refresh rate while the Pro goes up to 120Hz is noticeable when things are moving on screen.

No USB-C ports on the right side; you only get a 3.5mm headphone jack there. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

And yes, the Air could definitely use more ports. It only has the MagSafe port (if you wondered, the charinge cable you get with it is color-matched), two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. This could be of particular importance if you plan to use the new Air with two external monitors, which you now can -- those two Thunderbolt ports probably won't cut it for all your needs.

Stay tuned for a more thorough assessment of whether the new Air is worth your money. For now, though, it appears to be a winner.

A new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing from Nintendo answers at least one question still up in the air about the company's upcoming Switch 2: Amiibo's are staying.

SEE ALSO: It's Mar10 Day at Nintendo — find all the best deals live now

The filing appears to confirm the handheld gaming console will still contain near-field communication (NFC) support, used to unlock specific content in games, the Verge reported. The Switch 2 will also sport two different USB-C charging ports (one on top and one of the bottom), as well as faster WiFi compatibility — consoles will be able to connect to Wi-Fi 6 networks with up to 80MHz of bandwidth.

Nintendo's updated Switch 2 was first teased in January, introducing a bigger casing, slightly different color ways, and revamped Joy-Con controllers. A public patent later revealed that the new Joy-Con design operated less like a traditional gamepad and more like a computer mouse, which could potentially allow players more movement functionality. Still, rumors won't be confirmed until Nintendo's big Switch 2 launch event, taking place on April 2.

John Mulaney appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, and he brought a weird gift with him.

Spending much of their conversation talking about his appearance on a charity version of a Kimmel-hosted episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? alongside Nick Kroll, Mulaney ends the appearance by calling up Kroll on FaceTime.

"Nick, so far I've clued the audience in that we had a difficult time with an Easter Island question," Mulaney said. "What they don't know so much is that you and I and Jimmy constantly text about Gene Simmons, the front man of KISS, and that throughout the taping of Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire I was trying to slip in quotes of Gene Simmons.'"

The resulting gift? An Easter Island-style statue of Gene Simmons' head, with an accompanying quote. That's surely got to be the most unique late night present ever given.

Mr Milchick (Tramell Tillman) is definitely one of the funniest characters in Severance, and the scene in which he tells a story about the King of Sweden is glorious proof.

The moment from Season 2, episode 5, which involves Milchick saying the made-up Swedish word "gråkappan" (it means a gray cloak in the story), went viral on X, with many Swedish people commenting on Milchick's exaggerated pronunciation of the word.

Tillman's explanation in The Late Show clip above? He took inspiration from Betty White's character in Golden Girls, and then tested three different pronunciations during filming. The one that made the crew laugh the hardest was the one they went with.