IT General

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
$39.99 Save $10.01 Get Deal

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
$349.99 Save $70 Get Deal

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
Get Deal

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.

It's easy to get lost in a clear night sky full of stars. It can feel like a random mess of lights without a little guidance. Once you're able to identify a few constellations though, the sky starts making a lot more sense.

The Moon passes right in front of a star or planet, making it disappear for a little while. This is called a lunar occultation. They happen pretty often, though most people wouldn't notice. Unlike eclipses, which get all the attention, occultations are quick and subtle. Here's what you need to know.

It's always good to see companies stay on top of zero-days—you can't help them, but you want to minimize the amount of users that can be affected by this. Now, Apple has just fixed a zero-day vulnerability on WebKit, and it's actually a pretty interesting one.

Plugable now sells a 5Gbps Ethernet to USB-C adapter for just $38. The company is also introducing its first Thunderbolt 5 cable, which is (thankfully) far less expensive than Apple's TB5 cable.

Despite a slow launch in 2019, Apple TV+ has blossomed into an excellent streaming service with plenty of critically acclaimed TV shows. Whether you're seeking feel-good comedy, thrilling drama, or innovative sci-fi, you're well catered for.

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.

New iPhones updates are automatically enabling AI-powered Apple Intelligence functionality, even for people who already switched it off. It’s not clear if this is a bug or intended behavior, but either way, it’s getting to be annoying.

UPDATE: Mar. 11, 2025, 4:05 p.m. EDT iRobot announced a new fleet of Roombas on March 11, including the Roomba 105, Roomba 205, Roomba Plus 405, and Roomba Plus 505. I'm in the process of getting each series into my home for hands-on testing, and will update this guide accordingly.

It would come as a surprise to more people than you think that "roomba" isn't the universal term for a robot vacuum. It is, in fact, a capital "R" that denotes Roomba as a proper noun rather than a generic trademark — Roombas are just robot vacuums made by iRobot, and looking for the best Roombas is a much more specific search than looking for the best robot vacuums in general, regardless of brand. However, Roomba's Band-Aid or Kleenex level interchangeability really does exemplify just how iconic iRobot has become in the world of automated floor cleaners.

That can be attributed to the fact that iRobot has consistently delivered some of the most reliable robot vacuum models for two decades. More than 20 Roombas have come out since the first one hit homes in 2002, but keeping track of the best Roombas isn't so chaotic when you consider that only a handful of those models are actually relevant at the time of your shopping.

How to tell the difference between the Roomba models

The arbitrary numbers and letters of the Roomba family tree are confusing at face value, but nothing that can't be told apart after learning a few super general classification themes.

SEE ALSO: A ton of robot vacuums claim to mop, but these 5 hybrids actually do the job

That can be attributed to the fact that iRobot has consistently delivered some of the most reliable robot vacuum models for two decades. More than 20 Roombas have come out since the first one hit homes in 2002, but tracking the best Roombas isn't so chaotic when you consider that only a handful of those models are actually relevant at the time of your shopping.

How to tell the difference between the Roomba models

The arbitrary numbers and letters of the Roomba family tree are confusing at face value, but nothing that can't be told apart after learning a few super general classification themes.

When shopping for a Roomba, you'll really only be choosing from what I call iRobot's core lineup: the group of three to five Roomba series that are actively sold on iRobot's website. Any Roomba whose title includes a letter and a number (like j9+ or i5) or the word Max is more advanced than a Roomba with just numbers in the title (like 692) or just words (like Roomba Vac or Essential).

As of early winter 2025, the five main Roomba collections up for grabs are as follows, from most advanced to least advanced: Max, j series, s series (though nearly obsolete), i series, and Essential series.

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A plus sign (like j9+) denotes that the model comes with a self-emptying dock, and Roombas that mop will have "Combo" in the title. Note that there are several Roombas that can be purchased with or without mopping capabilities or self-emptying docks. "Max" is a new layer of Roomba typology that was introduced with the drop of the Roomba Combo 10 Max — it refers to the ability of a mopping Roomba to wash and dry its own mopping pad within the self-empty dock. On the other end of the spectrum, "Essential" means "most basic" in the Roomba family, and that means no smart mapping.

To pinpoint which Roombas have smart mapping, pay close attention to how navigation is discussed in the title or in the list. If you don't literally see the words "Smart Mapping" anywhere, that Roomba cannot map your home and clean specific rooms on command. No, "Smart Navigation" or anything about cleaning in "neat rows" does not count.

When is a new Roomba coming out?

We probably won't see a new Roomba at least until spring 2025, but that probably won't even be the new flagship Roomba. If, in your eyes, a question about "the new Roomba" refers to the next Roomba that'll be a big deal, you'll likely be waiting until August or September 2025.

iRobot is on a different release schedule than most other big robot vacuum brands, who typically debut their new flagship models for the year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. Alternatively, iRobot tends to debut its flagship model for the year in late summer — the past two flagship Roombas (the 2023 Combo j9+ and 2024 Combo 10 Max) were announced in September and July, respectively, both with releases slated for later that fall.

Aside from The Big One, iRobot does drop other Roombas throughout the year, like an updated version of a base-tier Roomba.

Plus, fun stuff happens to the Roombas that are already out all the time. Roombas go on sale pretty frequently, even if it's not the Black Friday, holiday, or Prime Day season. So it's possible that at any point in time you're reading this, the particular Roomba you're eyeing is $100 or $200 off. I list the MSRP for each by default, but will mention the most common sale price that each Roomba drops to in "The Good" section below.)

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Not sure which Roomba would be the most worth it in your household? I've tested nearly every Roomba series released since 2019 in my own home, and have composed a running Roomba model comparison guide to all of the best iRobot options at any point in the year.

Not every single Roomba model in existence will be listed in this guide, and not every "main" Roomba on iRobot's website will be recommended as one of the best. Rather, I've pulled Roombas from multiple price points that I think offer the best value in various categories that people care about, whether that's mopping, smart mapping, small obstacle detection, the cheapest possible path to all of those features, or budget alone. Each Roomba's battery life and automatic emptying capabilities will be noted, along with my reasoning for choosing the highlighted model over other Roombas with similar prices.

Here's your easy breakdown of all of the best Roomba vacuums at the start of 2025:

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