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Barnard's Star, just some 6 light-years away, has intrigued astronomers for over a century.

Does the second-closest stellar system to us host any planets?

Though this system has hoodwinked astronomers with planetary signals before, researchers say they're confident they have detected three new planets and confirmed another. After peering at Barnard's Star over 112 nights, scientists using a powerful telescope in Chile found compelling evidence of four particularly small exoplanets, each just some 20 to 30 percent the size of Earth. That makes them considerably smaller than Mars, which is about half Earth's size.

"It’s a really exciting find — Barnard’s Star is our cosmic neighbor, and yet we know so little about it," Ritvik Basant, an exoplanet researcher at the University of Chicago who led the research, said in a statement. "It’s signaling a breakthrough with the precision of these new instruments from previous generations."

SEE ALSO: A dramatic total lunar eclipse is coming. You don't want to miss it.

The new research has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Each of these worlds is probably rocky, as opposed to a gas giant planet like Jupiter, but they almost certainly aren't habitable. That's because they're searing hot, as they zip closely around Barnard's Star in just a matter of days. Even so, their discovery shows new ways that astronomers can find such small, nearly imperceptible worlds, known as "sub-Earths."

It was tremendously challenging to detect these planets. For one, they're located right next to their luminous star, making them daunting to see. And from our perch on Earth, we don't see these worlds transiting in front of their star, which is a common way planets beyond our solar system, or exoplanets, are found.

A conception of the surface of a hot world orbiting Barnard's Star. Credit: ESO / M. Kornmesser

To find these worlds, the astronomers used something called the radial velocity technique, wherein a specialized instrument on a telescope looks for a star exhibiting extremely slight wobbles. These wobbles are caused by the gravitational influence, however small, orbiting planets have on their star, which subtly alters the star's emitted light. (In this case, a high resolution instrument called MAROON-X was mounted on the over 26-foot-wide Gemini North telescope, located at 8,930 feet in the profoundly dark Chilean desert.)

"The powerful instrument measures these small shifts in light so precisely that it can even tease apart the number and masses of the planets that must be circling the star to have the observed effect," the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab — which runs big telescopes across the U.S. and globally — said in a statement.

Astronomers are keenly interested in understanding planets around stars like Barnard's, which is a red dwarf. These are small stars, but the most common in the universe. Importantly, red dwarfs are cooler than more massive stars, meaning they can host habitable zones (regions of a solar system that are temperate enough for worlds to harbor liquid water) close to themselves, where planets often form. Scientists are also using the James Webb Space Telescope to discern if such rocky worlds around red dwarfs could host atmospheres, like Venus or Earth.

If Barnard's Star was hiding four rocky sub-Earths, what else is hiding out there in the cosmos?

The last time NASA collected data on the heat emerging from the moon's interior was when the space agency still sent astronauts on Apollo missions. 

The lunar heat-flow study had seemingly ended. Because the data can't be obtained with orbiters, no further measurements were taken after just two were made in the 1970s. But all that has changed since Texas-based company Firefly Aerospace successfully landed Blue Ghost on the moon on March 2. 

The uncrewed spacecraft, carrying 10 NASA experiments, has just achieved the first collection of heat-flow data without humans, solely using robotic technology. Called the Lunar Instrumentation for Subsurface Thermal Exploration with Rapidity, or LISTER, the instrument has been drilling into the lunar soil. Mission controllers have watched it digging underground through a video transmission beamed back to Earth. 

"By making similar measurements at multiple locations on the lunar surface, we can reconstruct the thermal evolution of the Moon," said Seiichi Nagihara, a geophysics professor at Texas Tech University and LISTER's principal investigator, in a statement. 

The findings from the experiment will help to reveal the geological processes that shaped the moon over its 4.5 billion-year history, from its start as a mere ball of molten rock. Over time, it cooled by releasing its inner heat into space.

SEE ALSO: A NASA test just proved GPS signals can be picked up on the moon

Firefly Aerospace's mission control watches NASA’s Lunar Instrumentation for Subsurface Thermal Exploration with Rapidity, or LISTER, drill into the lunar surface on March 3, 2025 in the above video. 

Firefly is the first company to get its lander to the moon upright and in one piece. The difficulty of that feat was underscored last week when Intuitive Machines, the first company to land on the moon last year (albeit tilted), was not able to even duplicate its partial success on its return. Intuitive Machines' Athena lander seemingly toppled in a crater, with its solar panels not pointing toward the sun. With the spacecraft unable to generate and replenish power, the company already announced the mission was over. 

Firefly's Blue Ghost lander, named after an exotic type of firefly, is now sitting in Mare Crisium, a lunar plain made from an ancient hardened lava flow. It's next to a volcanic feature, Mons Latreille, in the northeast quadrant on the near side. 

NASA paid Firefly $101.5 million to build the spacecraft and deliver LISTER and nine other payloads to the moon through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. The space agency wants to see a regular cadence of moon missions to prepare for astronaut-led Artemis expeditions in 2027 or later.

Called the Lunar Instrumentation for Subsurface Thermal Exploration with Rapidity, or LISTER, the instrument has been drilling into the lunar soil. Credit: Firefly Aerospace

LISTER, mounted below Blue Ghost’s lower deck, measures the flow of heat from the moon's interior with a sophisticated pneumatic drill, developed by Texas Tech and Honeybee Robotics. The tool, essentially a jackhammer that uses compressed gas to power the drilling action, has a needle sensor on the end to take temperature readings. 

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About every 1.5 feet, the drill stops to extend the thermal probe into the surrounding rocks, dust, and pebbles. The instrument then measures two things: thermal gradient, or the temperature changes at various depths, and thermal conductivity, which is the soil's ability to let heat pass through it. The drill can plunge to an ultimate depth of nearly 10 feet underground. 

"Instruments such as LISTER help us to learn more about the surface of the moon and how we can be there for a longer period of time and take advantage of resources available to us," said Mike Selby, LISTER manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, in a video about the payload. 

Firefly's mission is a little more than halfway complete, expected to come to an end shortly after lunar nightfall.

TL;DR: This week only, save 25% on the KeySmart SmartCard for your wallet and get free shipping.

I lost it last week. After searching every crevice of my house, I found it. There it was, next to my milk and eggs, my wallet…inside my fridge. I realized then that my beloved AirTags are amazing for my briefcase and luggage, but not for tracking my cash, ID, and credit cards. 

I needed a wallet tracking card: Something that worked like an AirTag but would fit inside my wallet without leaving an awkward bulge. I found the KeySmart SmartCard and thought I’d give it a try, especially since they were $10 off — now $29.97 with free shipping (reg. $39.99).

Does this wallet tracker hold up to the AirTag?

The SmartCards work with the exact same app as the AirTag, Apple Find My. This allows me to see all my tracked items in one place, view live locations on a map, play sounds to locate, and enter lost mode if they disappear in public areas.

Since it’s only 2mm thick, I slipped it into one of the slots of my wallet as if it were just a new credit card. These would also fit nicely into passport books.

I love how the SmartCard is basically an AirTag, just in a far slimmer format. However, there is one huge difference: the SmartCard is Qi-wireless rechargeable. I have to buy my AirTags new batteries about every year, and that cost adds up, but I can just toss this tracker card onto my wireless charging pad every five months to fill its battery.

Get your AirTag alternative while they’re still on sale for $29.97 with free shipping (reg. $39.99). No coupon is needed to get this price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® SmartCard - Thinnest Card Tracker & Works with Apple Find My $29.98
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TL;DR: This week only, save $70 on 10TB of lifetime cloud storage with Internxt using code STORAGE20 at checkout (reg. $349.99).

There are few things more annoying than getting hit with ‘Storage Full. Upgrade now.’ notifications when you’re just trying to upload a few more files. Sure, you could pay for more space, but then you’re getting sucked even deeper into the subscription world. Here’s a new option: lifetime cloud storage.

Not only will you never have to worry about monthly or yearly subscription costs, but you can purchase storage plans from Internxt so high, you’ll probably never fill them up. How does 10TB of cloud space sound? Secure it for life using code STORAGE20 at checkout, dropping the price from $349.99 to $279.99 this week.

(Almost) unlimited storage

With 10TB of cloud storage, you can fit about two million photos, 100,000 videos, or 20 million documents (depending on their exact size, of course). That amount of space would be a challenge to fill up on your own, so it’s a good thing you can share it with an unlimited number of devices.

More about Internxt

Internxt may not be as popular as a name like Dropbox, but that’s not a reason to write off this deal. Your photos and files are end-to-end encrypted, meaning they’re broken up into tiny pieces so they can’t be read by peeping eyes. 

The company also makes its source code open to the public, so programmers and tech nerds can analyze it and ensure there are no vulnerabilities. That’s a lot more honesty than you’ll get from big-name brands.

Use code STORAGE20 at checkout to get an Internxt 10TB cloud storage lifetime subscription for $279.99 (reg. $349.99) this week only. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan $279.99
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TL;DR: You can save $1,074 when you opt for a refurbished model of this MacBook Pro in near-mint condition, but we have fewer than 40 left in stock.

Have you always wanted a MacBook? Maybe it’s because they sync with your other Apple devices, or that they’ve become somewhat of a status symbol, but the $1,000+ price tag is probably what kept you away. But savvy shoppers are turning to refurbished MacBook deals to save hundreds while getting high-quality devices.

We have plenty of refurbished deals in our shop, but today, we want to show you one on a 2019 MacBook Pro 13.3-inch. While these originally retailed for $1,499, you can grab one for only $425 while supplies last — and these could go fast. Your new-to-you laptop arrives in grade “A” condition with a 30-day warranty.

2019 MacBook Pro specs

Beyond saving four figures, shoppers find more perks of buying refurbished laptops. For example, this MacBook Pro has the now-discontinued Touch Bar that you cannot get from the Apple Store. 

This touchscreen interface lives above your number keys, replacing the usual function row, and changes tools depending on which apps you have open. When typing, you’ll find text exiting tools, when designing, there could be a color grabber, and it’s even rumored to be able to skip YouTube ads.

But enough about that, here’s what else this MacBook Pro features:

• 13.3-inch Retina display

• Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM

• 256GB SSD storage

• Up to ten hours of battery life

Grab one of these affordable MacBook Pros for $425 (reg. $1,499) before they’re sold out. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" (2019) Touchbar - Space Gray (Refurbished) Get Deal

TL;DR: Save $24 on an AdGuard Family Plan lifetime subscription with code FAMPLAN at checkout for a limited time (reg. $39.99).

You just want to read an article (thanks, by the way), and suddenly, your screen is filled with pop-ups, banners, or autoplay videos. Even YouTube forces you to suffer through ads just to watch a short clip. But things don’t have to be this way if you grab AdGuard, a lifetime ad blocker that works on desktop and mobile devices.

We’re running a short sale so you can banish these annoyances from your life. When you use code FAMPLAN at checkout, AdGuard’s price drops from $39.99 to $15.97. You can use it on nine of your devices for life.

How does AdGuard work?

You’ll receive your unique redemption code immediately after purchase, and this is what gets you the lifetime discount on the iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac apps. Use the apps to set your own filters, or dive right into ad-free browsing, blocking any that may be missed so the app can learn and improve.

AdGuard has over 1,400 positive ratings, and reviewers report that the tool does block YouTube ads when you’re using a browser. Finally, no more sitting through unskippable nonsense before videos or rude interruptions during your binges.

What else is included?

Within the app settings, you’ll also find that you can enact custom parental controls. You could restrict access to types of content or outright block specific websites to know your kids are protected online.

Use code FAMPLAN at checkout to get this mobile and desktop ad blocker for $15.97 for a limited time (reg. $39.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard Software AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
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U.S. president Donald Trump has hosted a Tesla advertisement on the White House lawn alongside CEO Elon Musk. He also erroneously called the boycott against the electric vehicle company "illegal."

On Monday night, Trump announced that he would buy a new Tesla the next day "as a show of confidence" in his close ally Musk, responding to the company's cratering stock prices. On Tuesday morning, Tesla parked five of its vehicles in front of White House to create a personal showroom for the president. 

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Accompanied by Musk and his son X, Trump promoted Tesla's cars while continuing to praise its billionaire CEO. The president also revealed that he'd previously purchased a Tesla Cybertruck for his teenage granddaughter Kai. 

"I have a lot of information [about Tesla's cars], including the price," said Trump, wielding a few pages of notes he said were given to him about Tesla's offerings. "I want to make a good deal here."

Despite this, Trump stated he would be paying full price for his new car. He ultimately selected a red Tesla Model S Plaid which retails for approximately $90,000 after Musk said that it was the model he himself drove.

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Trump further addressed recent protests which have taken place outside Tesla showrooms across the U.S., some of which have resulted in vandalism and property damage, saying that he will label violence against the dealerships as "domestic terrorism."

"They're harming a great American company," said Trump, calling such protesters "garbage." "Those people are going to go through a big problem when we catch them… You do it to Tesla and you do it to any company, we're going to catch you and you're going to go through hell."

There's a Tesla showroom at the White House

In addition to promoting Tesla, Trump also lavished praise onto Musk himself, calling him an "incredible patriot" and celebrating his work at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

"In the time I've known him, he has never asked me for a favour," Trump claimed.

This is a stark contrast to Trump's previous statements about Musk in 2022, when he called the billionaire a "bullshit artist" and alleged that he asked for help "on all of his many subsidized projects, whether it’s electric cars that don’t drive long enough, driverless cars that crash, or rocketships to nowhere."

"I could have said, 'drop to your knees and beg,' and he would have done it," Trump posted to Truth Social at the time, stating that Musk would be "worthless" without government subsidies.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

There appears to be much less animosity between Musk and Trump now, despite the latter's history as a vocal detractor of electric vehicles. Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his incorrect claim that he "ended the electric [vehicle] mandate," and praised Musk for not calling him to complain about it.

The U.S. has never had any law mandating that drivers switch to electric cars. However, it did have incentives to encourage adoption, which is what Trump eliminated. Trump also paused $3 billion in funding for a U.S. electrical vehicle charging network early last month.

Keeping Trump's new Tesla charged up won't be his problem, though. Trump won’t actually be driving the car himself, as U.S. presidents aren't permitted to drive on public roads for security reasons. Instead, the president stated that he would be leaving the Tesla at the White House for his staff to use.

Tesla stock has been falling since Trump's inauguration Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

Tesla had its worst day of trading since September 2020 on Monday, its stock falling by over 15 percent to close at $222.15. In response, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social that night to declare his support for Musk, as well as his intention to buy a Tesla.

"[T]he Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World's great automakers, and Elon's 'baby,' in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for," Trump claimed on Truth Social.

It is not illegal in the U.S. for consumers to boycott companies. While boycotts can be illegal if a group of competitors collectively agrees not to do business with a company, such restrictions do not apply to individuals. Under U.S. law, people are allowed to choose whether or not to patronise a business, and can decide against doing so as an act of protest. This is protected by the First Amendment right to free speech.

Tuesday saw Tesla's stock regain almost four percent after Monday's drop, however the overall trend of the company's share price continues to spiral down. Though Tesla enjoyed a surge following Trump's election win, its shares have continued to fall since the inauguration and wiped out all those gains.

Tesla's profits dropped by 70 percent in Q4 2024 and its sales have slumped across the globe. Even the price of used Teslas are falling as drivers reportedly reject the cars due to their association with Musk. Even so, Musk stated on Tuesday that Tesla intends to double its U.S. production within the next two years.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A faith.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

CREED

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A fruit with a stone.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 12, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PEACH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Opposite of giver.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 12, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TAKER

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A shine.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 12 Hurdle Word 4 answer

GLINT

Final Hurdle hint

A lovely drink or a violent act.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

PUNCH

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

TL;DR: The best eSIM for Ireland is Saily. Save 5% on Saily eSIM data plans with the exclusive coupon code MASHABLE5.

Saint Patrick’s Day takes place on March 17, with festivities running from March 14-17. The popular event is expected to bring in at least 500,000 visitors to Ireland, making it one of the biggest annual celebrations in the country. You can expect dozens of parades, live performances, and cultural events nationwide.

The festival atmosphere over this period means large crowds and busy streets, meaning reliable mobile data is a must. Whether you're navigating the city, sharing your experiences with loved ones back home, or staying connected with travel buddies, you absolutely need reliable and affordable internet access on your trip.

If you're looking for the best eSIM for Ireland in 2025, we have all the information you need.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital product that allows users to activate a data plan without needing a physical SIM card. Users can switch service providers via software settings, meaning you don't need to swap SIM cards when attempting to avoid roaming charges.

What is the best eSIM for Ireland?

The best eSIM for Ireland is Saily, a product from Nord Security.

Saily covers over 200 countries and territories, including Ireland. When traveling in Ireland, you can choose between five Saily plans (1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, or 20GB) for a period of one week or 30 days. Users get 24/7 customer support, straightforward installation, and automatical activation upon arrival. And if you run out of data, users can easily top up their plan and continue using the services without interruption.

Saily's best eSIM deals for Ireland are as follows:

• 1GB (1 Week) — $4.27 $4.49 (save 5%)

• 3GB (30 Days) — $7.59 $7.99 (save 5%)

• 5GB (30 Days) — $10.44 $10.99 (save 5%)

• 10GB (30 Days) — $18.04 $18.99 (save 5%)

• 20GB (30 Days) — $26.59 $27.99 (save 5%)

Something to note is that all plans have a 30-day activation period. If you purchase a plan and don't activate it, it will be activated automatically after 30 days.

Opens in a new window Credit: Saily Saily: eSIM for Ireland 5% off with exclusive coupon code MASHABLE5 Get Deal

TL;DR: Live stream Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The first leg between Aston Villa and Club Brugge ended 3-1, but can Villa hold onto that lead and progress into the Champions League quarter finals? They will be favorites to win this one at home, but anything can happen in the Champions League.

If you want to watch Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge?

Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on March 12. This fixture takes place at Villa Park.

How to watch Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge for free

Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

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.

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.

TL;DR: Live stream Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Bayern dominated the first leg of their Champions League matchup with Leverkusen, coming out 3-0 winners at home. Leverkusen will need to do something special in the second leg if they stand any chance of progressing into the quarter finals. But this is the Champions League. Anything is possible.

If you want to watch Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich?

Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on March 11. This fixture takes place at the BayArena.

How to watch Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich for free

Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Liverpool vs. PSG in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Liverpool weathered the storm in their first-leg Champions League matchup against PSG, and then went and won the game against the run of play. It was a real snatch and grab performance from the Premier League leaders, and now they hold a 1-0 advantage as they return home for the second leg.

If you want to watch Liverpool vs. PSG in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. PSG?

Liverpool vs. PSG in the Champions League starts at 8 p.m. GMT on March 11. This fixture takes place at Anfield.

How to watch Liverpool vs. PSG for free

Liverpool vs. PSG is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Liverpool vs. PSG (plus more Champions League fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

Fans from outside the UK will need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch Liverpool vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Liverpool vs. PSG on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Liverpool vs. PSG in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

 "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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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
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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.