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Billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk has often exulted his dream of colonizing the Red Planet with 1 million people. 

But before Musk gets his Martian city, he'll have practice with one right here on Earth — that is, if all goes according to his launch company's plans. In December, SpaceX submitted a petition to turn the coastal Texas village, where the Starship factory and space port operate, into an incorporated city. Like the rocket complex, it would be named Starbase. 

The proposal reached a pivotal milestone this week. After reviewing the petition for satisfying state requirements, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. set a date for a local vote to decide whether Starbase gets municipal status. That election, to be held on May 3, appears to be a foregone conclusion. Nearly all of the voters living within the roughly 1.5 square-mile area are SpaceX employees and family members, living in company-owned houses. Out of 247 lots in the proposed city limits, only 10 are not owned by SpaceX, according to documents. 

"Starbase, Texas, will soon be an official new city," Musk said on X, the social platform once called Twitter, which he also owns. 

Surrounding residents are wary of what such a change could mean for them. Environmental activists are concerned about unchecked development, and people who live in nearby Brownsville, Texas, worry they'll lose public beach access. Furthermore, there's an air of mystery to the effort, with many wondering why the company feels the need to go this route.

SEE ALSO: Think this space station and moon photo is AI? Meet the photographer. Spectators arrive at SpaceX's Starbase for a Starship prototype launch in South Texas on Oct. 12, 2024. Credit: Sergio Flores / AFP / Getty Images

In a letter with the petition, Kathy Lueders, Starbase's general manager, said the company needs the area to have its own government in order to grow. SpaceX has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure and generated hundreds of millions in income and taxes for local businesses and government, she said. 

Through contracts, the company already provides several community services, such as road management, utilities, school provisions, and medical care. Lueders insisted that municipal status won't interfere with the "extensive list of environmental mitigations" SpaceX already has in place.  

"Incorporating Starbase will streamline the processes required to build the amenities necessary to make the area a world-class place to live, for the hundreds already calling it home, as well as for prospective workers eager to help build humanity's future in space," she wrote. 

People gather to watch a SpaceX Starship flight test on Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. Credit: Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle / Getty Images

The proposed city sits on the southern edge of Texas near the U.S.-Mexican border. In July 2024, Musk posted on X that he had reached "the final straw" in California and would be moving SpaceX's headquarters to the Texas rocket complex. 

Some have speculated SpaceX could use the municipality to leverage more public money, such as state and federal grants. Or perhaps the company wants less red tape each time it needs to shut down roads, close Boca Chica Beach, and clear nearby boats from the water for a Starship launch test. 

Regardless of outside residents' misgivings, their opinions are largely irrelevant. Only people living within the proposed city — not neighbors — can vote. As of Feb. 14, there were just 160 registered voters eligible to cast a ballot, the election administrator Remi Garza told Mashable.   

Tweet may have been deleted

That's the reality Tino Villarreal Jr., an at-large city commissioner in Brownsville, has tried to emphasize to his constituents. 

"This is going to happen,"  he told The Brownsville Herald. "The vote’s going to go through."

If Starbase becomes a city, it will be run by a mayor and two city commissioners. Included with the petition are three candidate applications for those positions, all seemingly unopposed. No, Musk would not be the mayor of Starbase, but a SpaceX security manager, Gunnar Milburn, is applying for the job. 

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said in July 2024 he would move the company's headquarters from California to Starbase in South Texas. Credit: SpaceX

Election administrator Garza said the upcoming vote will likely enhance participation in the general election. It's the first time officials have been able to provide a polling location in that part of the county.

"Better still is that it will serve not only the residents in the area, but all the voters who work in the area, too," he told Mashable. "We are hopeful we will be able to continue serving them in the years to come during future elections."

One thing is certain: It'll be a whole lot easier to start a city in Texas than about 70 million miles away. After all, the Rio Grande Valley does have breathable air.

Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.

DISNEY+ BUNDLES: Disney+ is offering bundle deals so you can stream the best of its library at a lower price.

The best Disney+ deals and bundles in February 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Basic Bundle Deal Disney Bundle Duo Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal

Whether you're looking to jump into the latest superhero saga or journey to a galaxy far, far away, Disney+ is the streaming service for you. Home to Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and so much more, Disney+ offers a library that's chock-full of shows and films to keep both adults and kids entertained. If you've had this streaming service on your radar but are unsure which plan is the best fit for you, we've got you covered with a selection of Disney+ streaming deals.

SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card

There are quite a few bundle deals to check out with Disney+ right now, including the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle. This is a great investment for those who already own the other two streaming services and are looking to cut down on costs. And with streaming prices on the rise (Disney+ even increased its prices just last year), now's a great time to jump on a bundle like that.

We've detailed all of the available bundle deals below, alongside basic information on Disney+ plans if you just want the House of Mouse's service on its own.

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle is one of the best available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, you can have three excellent streaming services right in the palm of your hand, which is a great offer to take advantage of given streaming service prices keep going up. The $16.99 per month option is for the With Ads plan, but if you'd prefer to watch your favorite content without ads, the No Ads plan comes to $29.99 per month. Compared to what you'd pay for each of these on their own, you're saving 43% with the ad-supported plan and 42% with the ad-free plan.

• Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

Best Basic Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney Bundle Duo Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If the Disney+, Hulu, and Max mega bundle feels like a bit too much, there are smaller bundle deals to check out instead. One of the most affordable bundle options the service has is the Duo Basic bundle. This brings together Disney+ and Hulu (With Ads) for $10.99 per month. This is a great way to gain access to both of their libraries for only $1 more than what you'd pay for their ad-supported plans on their own.

• Disney Bundle Duo Basic — $10.99 per month

If you'd rather spring for the ad-free version of that bundle, Duo Premium is what you need. This offers both Disney+ and Hulu without ads for $19.99 per month instead. Disney+ also has Trio bundles that throw in ESPN+. The Trio Basic plan, which has ads, runs for $16.99 per month, and the Trio Premium plan without ads costs $26.99 per month.

• Disney Bundle Duo Premium — $19.99 per month

• Disney Bundle Trio Basic — $16.99 per month

• Disney Bundle Trio Premium — $26.99 per month

Disney+ monthly plans

Disney+ offers two standard plans if you just want the service on its own. The Disney+ Basic ad-supported plan comes to $9.99 per month while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan will set you back $15.99 per month or $159.99 per year if you'd rather pay annually.

• Disney+ Basic (With Ads) — $9.99 per month

• Disney+ Premium (No Ads) — $15.99 per month, $159.99 per year

Disney+ has also created an "extra member" plan for people using your account that live outside of your household as they crack down on password sharing. If you're looking to add another person onto your account, you're only allowed one extra profile and can choose from the following add-on plans:

• Disney+ Basic — $6.99 per month

• Disney+ Premium — $9.99 per month

• Disney Bundle Duo Basic — $7.99 per month

• Disney Bundle Duo Premium — $10.99 per month

• Disney Bundle Trio Basic — $11.99 per month

• Disney Bundle Trio Premium — $14.99 per month

There's a wealth of shows and films to check out on Disney+ after you sign up. If you want some help finding something to watch, check out our roundups of the 12 best TV shows for adults on Disney+ and the 20 best movies on Disney+ to start building out your watchlist.

A blood moon is coming.

The entirety of the lower 48 states, the greater Americas, and some regions beyond will witness — weather permitting — a total lunar eclipse the night of March 13 and into the early morning of March 14. This special cosmic event occurs when the moon, Earth, and sun are aligned. Long, red wavelengths of light pass through Earth's atmosphere and are projected onto the moon in majestic rusty or crimson colors.

The coming total lunar eclipse, now less than a month away, is the first to grace Earth since 2022.

"They are really dramatic to see," Bennett Maruca, an astronomer at the University of Delaware who has witnessed a number of total lunar eclipses and plans to watch the looming March event, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: Solar eclipses were once extremely terrifying events, experts say A graphic showing how the moon's surface is reddened by the sun's red light wavelengths passing through Earth's atmosphere. Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio Reasons to see the total lunar eclipse

- It's unique: Earth experiences a total lunar eclipse, on average, every 1.5 years. But it's a somewhat rare space phenomenon to view because you have to be on the side of Earth facing the moon when it happens. Also, weather can impede viewing — as it did for many during the 2024 total solar eclipse — so it's wise to attempt a viewing when you can.

- It's easy! You basically (again, weather permitting) just need to go outside. Unlike a total solar eclipse — wherein just a narrow band of Earth's surface witnesses the event — huge swathes of territory will be able to see the moon turn red. The event also lasts for hours, as the moon progressively reddens, so there's no rush. "It's not racing for three minutes of viewing," Maruca said, referencing the hurriedness one can experience trying to catch a total solar eclipse (which is still definitely worth it).

- You don't need any special equipment: "Best of all, unlike the precautions one takes to observe a total solar eclipse, it’s completely safe to watch a lunar eclipse unfold with the unaided eye," NASA explains. "Even so, binoculars or a powerful telescope definitely can enrich the experience."

"That's as unifying as it gets."

- It's both a national and multinational event: "Here's an event that can potentially be viewed by hundreds of millions of people, simultaneously," marveled Maruca. "That's as unifying as it gets."

When to see the March 2025 total lunar eclipse

The NASA map below shows when the peak of totality occurs during the coming total lunar eclipse. At that point, the moon, Earth, and sun fall into alignment, allowing the long red wavelengths of sunlight to filter through Earth's atmosphere and then starkly illuminate the moon. (Meanwhile, blue light from the sun scatters in the atmosphere on Earth's dayside, turning those skies blue.)

Totality begins at 11:26 p.m. PDT on March 13, 2025 / 2:26 a.m. EDT on March 14 / 06:26 UTC, and lasts for 65 minutes. But the reddening progresses over hours. Technically, the eclipse starts (the "penumbral eclipse") with slight dimming on March 13 at 8:57 p.m. PDT / 11:57 p.m. EDT / 03:57 UTC. The greater event ends at 3:00 a.m. PDT / 6:00 a.m. EDT / 10:00 UTC.

The website Time and Date provides more detailed information about viewing regions. (And for those on the wrong side of the planet for this eclipse, another total lunar eclipse occurs on Sept. 7, 2025.)

A map showing how the Americas will have the opportunity to witness a total lunar eclipse on March 13-14, 2025. Credit: NASA

For many of us, the crimson show peaks at unusual hours. But astronomers encourage trying to make it outside.

"It's worth staying up late for," Maruca said. "Totality is amazing."

TL;DR: Get a second phone number with a Hushed lifetime subscription for $19.99 with code SAVE20 at checkout through February 23 (reg. $150).

Working long hours is exhausting enough without your boss blowing up your phone after you’ve clocked out. It’s like your workday never ends, and those ‘quick’ after-hours calls and texts just keep piling up. If you need a serious way to protect your time and you’re all out of PTO, try a second phone number.

We aren’t talking about a second phone (because we know how expensive that would be), but simply an app that gives you a new phone number to call and text on. You know, the number you’ll give your boss and coworkers. Unlike a number through your existing mobile carrier, this one through Hushed is only $19.99 with code SAVE20 at checkout through February 23 (reg. $150).

This will teach your boss some boundaries

First step: Tell your boss that you had to change phone numbers. Next step: Your time off work is actually your time.

To set up your private work phone line, Hushed lets you choose the area code from hundreds of options across the United States and Canada. You can also set a custom voicemail, just like a real phone number.

Then, simply open the Hushed second phone number app whenever you need to make calls and send texts. If you ever don’t want to miss a call from your boss (like when there’s actually something important happening for a change), you can set up call forwarding.

No additional data plan is required since Hushed uses your phone’s existing plan or Wi-Fi for connectivity. Every year, you get a combination of 1,000 phone minutes or 6,000 SMS sends — hopefully, that’s more than enough for your after-hours work needs.

Block after-hours work calls with a Hushed lifetime subscription, now $19.99 with code SAVE20 at checkout (reg. $150). This coupon code expires February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Affinity Click Hushed Private Phone Line: Lifetime Virtual Number Subscription $19.99
$150.00 Save $130.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: This week only, get a Microsoft Office lifetime license for Windows on sale for $59.97 (reg. $219.99).

Microsoft 365 might seem affordable month-to-month, but those subscription fees add up fast. Before you know it, you’re shelling out over $100 a year just to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint — tools you need but don’t want to keep renting. What if you could pay once and never worry about renewal again?

That’s what the lifetime version of Microsoft Office offers. No recurring fees and no renewals — just a one-time payment for lifelong access to your favorite apps. This week only, the Windows version is on sale for $59.97 (reg. $219.99). 

What’s included

While Microsoft 365 and the lifetime download aren’t exactly the same, they’re close enough for users who simply want affordable access to Office apps. The subscription-based model includes cloud storage and mobile app access, but you're simply overpaying if you aren’t taking advantage of these features.

The Microsoft Office lifetime download includes:

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• Teams

• OneNote

• Publisher

• Access

If you decide this version is right for you, you can get the apps set up on your PC right away. Immediately after purchase, you’ll receive an email with a download link and software license key to install the apps. Then, use them for the life of your computer.

Download Microsoft Office for Windows while it’s on sale for $59.97 (reg. $219.99). This price drop ends on February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and no coupon is needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $59.97
$219.99 Save $160.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: The KeySmart SmartCard is the thinnest Apple Find My-compatible tracker, designed to fit in your wallet, charge wirelessly — and it's just $29.97 (reg. $39.99) through March 31.

Losing your wallet is frustrating. Digging through couch cushions, retracing your steps, and panicking over lost cards is not how anyone wants to spend their time. That's why we are rejoicing over the KeySmart SmartCard. It's the thinnest Apple Find My-compatible tracker designed to seamlessly fit in your wallet or ID badge — unlike the bulky, oddly shaped AirTag.

At less than 2mm thick, the SmartCard slides into any wallet slot, providing powerful tracking without the extra bulk. And unlike the AirTag, which requires disposable battery replacements, the SmartCard is rechargeable with any Qi-enabled wireless charger and lasts up to five months per charge.

The SmartCard is built for real-world use. It's IPX8 waterproof, meaning it can survive up to an hour submerged in water. This makes it ideal for travelers, commuters, and anyone who needs a durable tracking solution. Plus, its built-in lanyard slot allows you to attach it to ID badges or security cards, so you never have to deal with lost office credentials again.

With Apple Find My integration, the SmartCard offers real-time location tracking, separation alerts, and Lost Mode, so you don't misplace your essentials.

You can play a sound to locate it nearby, get notified if you leave it behind, and even use Lost Mode to display contact details if someone finds it. No bulky keychains, no weird shapes — just ultra-slim, ultra-smart tracking.

Don’t wait until you misplace your wallet again. Get this smarter way to track your essentials while it's on sale.

For a limited time, grab the KeySmart SmartCard for just $29.97 with free shipping instead of $39.99, but only through March 31. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® SmartCard - Thinnest Card Tracker & Works with Apple Find My $29.97
$39.99 Save $10.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Headway Premium for just $59.99 (reg. $299.95) through March 2 and transform spare moments into powerful learning experiences with bite-sized insights from the world’s best nonfiction.

We all want to learn, grow, and achieve more, but finding the time to read can feel impossible. That’s why Headway Premium is such a game changer. And at just $59.99 for lifetime access, it's a good time to check it out.

Headway Premium offers a smarter way to learn by delivering concise, engaging summaries of nonfiction bestsellers in just 15 minutes. This lifetime deal provides unlimited access to an ever-growing selection of summaries, allowing you to absorb key ideas, strategies, and insights without the time commitment of traditional reading.

You’ll have lifetime access to Headway’s extensive collection of over 1,500 expertly crafted summaries, with 30 to 50 new additions every month. Whether you want to sharpen your business acumen, enhance your leadership skills, improve your health, or develop better habits, there’s a summary waiting to guide you.

Unlike other learning platforms that require ongoing subscriptions, Headway Premium lets you pay once and learn forever. This single purchase will unlock unlimited access, so you can continue expanding your knowledge without worrying about monthly fees.

This app’s AI-powered personalization tailors recommendations to your goals and interests, helping you focus on the topics that matter most. And a gamified approach allows you to track progress, earn achievements, and build a sustainable learning habit.

Professionally narrated audio summaries provide an on-the-go learning option so you can absorb key insights while commuting, exercising, or multitasking. Even offline, Headway ensures that learning never stops.

Don't miss out on this steep savings. 

Get a lifetime of Headway Premium for just $59.99 (reg. $299.95) through March 2.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$299.95 Save $239.96 Get Deal

TL;DR: Save 65% on a refurbished MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) M1 while supplies last — fewer than 50 remain in stock.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $514.99
$1,499.00 Save $984.01 Get Deal

I went through two laptops in my four years of college. Yeah, yikes. I opted for cheaper models then, and, instead, I paid the price with sucky battery life. When the second one bit the dust, I knew I had to get something nicer. That’s when I finally sprung for a MacBook. But here’s something most people don’t know: they aren’t always expensive. 

On a college budget, I did some research and discovered refurbished laptops. Usually gently owned and restored to like-new condition, you can save buckets of cash — and help the environment. I found a deal on the Mashable Shop for a refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) at $514.99, 65% off its sticker price of $1,499.

Here’s how it’s held up over the past two years

I’m the first to admit that I’m hard on the things I own (you read the opening line of this article, didn’t you?), but this Apple laptop has held up surprisingly well after two years of regular daily use. 

Apple’s M1 chip does an amazing job of powering me through my writing days. I often have 20+ Chrome tabs open at once, a YouTube video playing in the background, and pricing spreadsheets open. With everything running, I get a solid six hours of battery life, but it lasts all day if I’m only working in Google Docs.

Another thing I love about the laptop is the fanless design. It’s silent and weighs under three pounds. I work remotely, so it's easy to bring along when I want to write in a coffee shop or outside.

Don’t miss out on this refurbished MacBook deal. Once they sell out, they’re gone for good.

Get this 13.3-inch MacBook Air M1 for $514.99 (reg. $1,499).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Let's be real: PC gaming offers the best possible experience for gamers. We love consoles, too, but you just can't deny it.

High-end gaming computers pack more graphical and processing power than any home console, and they offer a level of freedom in terms of customization and game choice that you’re just not going to find anywhere else. Unfortunately, a desktop PC does force you to keep your gaming sessions tied to your desk.

While desktops deliver elite performance, the best gaming laptops fit into the modern lifestyle more smoothly thanks to their portability. It’s more convenient to take your gaming rig with you on the go, whether that’s to a friend’s place or just to another room. Whether you're looking for a powerhouse that supports eye-popping visuals, a lightweight notebook to fit snugly in your backpack, or hoping to find a gaming laptop on a budget, we promise there's a machine for you.

SEE ALSO: Gaming starter kit: All the gear you need to play like a real gamer What's the best cheap gaming laptop, and is it worth it?

When it comes to gaming laptops, it's totally fine not to immediately spring for the top-of-the-line, $3,000-plus powerhouse. Plenty of gaming laptops fall below the $1,000 mark and are well worth the money. But, we would advise you against going too cheap. You really do get what you pay for, and if you settle for a bottom-of-the-barrel machine, you're not going to be able to run the games you want to play anyway.

Testing the Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop for this guide. Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable

However, if you're looking to keep a tight budget and don't mind playing via cloud streaming, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a great option (more details on that laptop below). And if you're looking to spend even less, the Lenovo Gaming Chromebook 16 is another solid cloud gaming laptop, which you can read about in our guide to the best laptops under $500.

What are the best gaming laptops?

Finding the best laptop for your needs and budget can be tricky. They may be easier to parse than their desktop counterparts, but gaming laptops still require a fair bit of careful spec scrutinization. These are no consoles — you can’t just pick the latest generation system off the shelf and get playing. Choosing between the many graphics cards, processors, storage sizes, and screen types can be a real head-scratcher. Thankfully, you've got us to guide you through the process.

Read on to find our recommendations for the best gaming laptops of 2025.

TL;DR: Use our code KOOFR at checkout and get a 1TB cloud storage lifetime subscription from Koofr for £103.14 (reg. £642.81) through 23 February.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) £103.14 at Mashable Shop
£642.81 Save £539.67 Use code 'KOOFR' Get Deal

Having cloud storage shouldn’t make you feel like you’re Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, with subscription fees charging you over and over, for years or even decades. There’s a new way to protect your files that pays for itself — if you’re willing to spend a little more upfront.

Koofr is like any other major cloud storage platform, except they offer a lifetime cloud storage subscription. Instead of paying every month, you pay just once and never worry about fees again. Plus, through 23 February, this one-time fee is down to £103.14 (reg. £642.81) when you use code KOOFR at checkout.

Affordable, convenient, and secure

Koofr has hundreds of 5-star reviews that speak for themselves. Users seem to love Koofr because it pays for itself after just one year. Similar storage plans from Google Drive cost £8 monthly, so after 13 months, you’ll have money back in your pocket with Koofr.

Here’s a whole list of things to love about Koofr:

• Get 1TB of storage for life with no future fees

• Easily connect your other cloud accounts to transfer your files

• Use Koofr’s duplicate file finder to spot repeated files

• Koofr never tracks your activity

• Your files are encrypted in rest and transfer

Save on cloud storage with Koofr’s lifetime plan, now £103.14 with code KOOFR at checkout until 23 February at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

While cleaning your computer is necessary to keep it running well and help it last longer, doing it incorrectly can cause more harm than good. If you're new to cleaning your PC or doing it for the first time, here are some common PC cleaning mistakes to avoid that could end up straining your wallet.

I never liked the idea of cloud gaming or gaming subscriptions, but I've found myself using both. They make a lot of sense for someone who likes gaming on their phone. Still, I've stopped allowing these services to auto-renew, and I feel it's for the better.

Take the smart home survey.

Here at Mashable, we’re always trying out the latest tech products to help our readers determine whether or not they’re worth it. But now, we want to hear from you about the products you use and love. In our first edition of our Smartest Home Readers’ Choice Awards, we’re asking Mashable readers about the smart home devices you use in your home and daily life.

So, take a few minutes to fill out our Smartest Home survey. Your thoughts and feedback might just grant your favorite gadgets a Mashable Readers’ Choice Award — plus you could win a $250 Amazon gift card.

We’ll be running this survey for about two months, and then we’ll crunch the numbers to see what you all deemed the best smart home tech.

How to enter

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

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

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

Readers' Choice Sweepstakes - Smartest Home
c/o M. Kern
360 Park Ave South, Floor 17
New York, NY 10010

Mail Entries must be postmarked by March 14, 2025, and received by March 20, 2025. For official sweepstakes rules and promotion start and end dates, please click HERE.

Apple is set to launch a few new products next week. What are they? Well, no one knows for sure. There have been rumors of a new iPhone SE or perhaps something new for the Apple Vision Pro line. 

But we do know of one of Apple's anticipated releases: iOS 18.4 beta, which, according to Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, is set to roll out next week.

iOS 18.4 beta is set to bring the iPhone some new features and capabilities. Here are some of the cool things that iPhone users can expect.

New Emojis

Listen, this isn't the most innovative thing coming to the new iOS beta, but let's be honest: It's what users will be utilizing the most.

Credit: Unicode Consortium

Seriously, look at this "tired face with bags under its eyes" emoji. It's very likely you'll be seeing this one everywhere in your late-night iMessage group chats. There's also a harp, shovel, beet-like rootless vegetable, purple ink splatter, and a barren leafless tree that's expected to be on the way, too.

Apple usually includes the newest emojis approved by the Unicode Consortium in its latest iOS releases, so you'll likely see these added, too.

Apple Intelligence: Siri gets smarter

Siri is poised to get an Apple Intelligence upgrade, according to Bloomberg's Gurman.

And that upgrade could very well be coming in the iOS 18.4 beta.

Apple first announced its own set of AI features, Apple Intelligence, last June. Apple was already late to the AI space with the announcement. But, even then, the company took months to officially start rolling them out. On top of all that, quite a few of those Apple Intelligence features still haven't been released more than 8 months later.

SEE ALSO: iOS 18.3 is here. 3 major changes to know

On top of that list of upcoming AI features: A smarter, Apple Intelligence-powered Siri voice assistant.

Some of these Siri features include personal context or the ability for the voice assistant to utilize your own data to answer your questions and queries. Siri could also get an on-screen awareness capability, which would allow Siri to interact based on what you're already doing on your device. Apple also previously said that Siri will have a "richer language understanding, more natural communication" and the "ability to take action in and across apps."

Apple Intelligence: Better news summaries

Here's one feature that was taken away that we're expected to get back: News summaries.

Apple Intelligence was originally launched with a feature that generated news summaries via iPhone notifications. There was one problem, though. AI can often get these types of summaries wrong, and when we're talking about breaking news and current events, getting those summaries wrong could be dangerous.

After pushing out a few blatantly false AI-generated news summaries that went viral, Apple pulled the features for the News & Entertainment category of news and added a warning that the feature "may contain errors" in the settings sections for other news categories.

Apple said the AI news summaries that were disabled would return after the company made improvements. It seems likely that Apple will reintroduce the feature in the iOS 18.4 beta.

Default Map and Translation app

As MacRumors reports, Apple has been required by the EU's Digital Markets Act to allow users to set their own default Map and Translation app instead of using the default one provided by Apple.

Based on the timeline for rolling this out, it seems likely that those settings changes will be coming in the iOS 18.4 beta. Yes, Apple is only required to do this in the EU, and other DMA-required features haven't all rolled out in the U.S. But this one seems like a feature that Apple will bring to all of its users.

Home app updates

Apple's expected robot vacuum support was nowhere to be found in the Home app for the last iOS release. Well, to be clear, as MacRumors points out, it was found somewhere: Hidden in iOS 18.3's code. Yet, the feature didn't go live with iOS 18.3's launch.

Apple still mentions the feature on its website, which allows users to control their robot vacuum cleaner functions and monitor its status. Did Apple still need some more time to fine-tune robot vacuum support in the Home app? There's a good chance you'll be able to finally use Siri to control your robot vacuum very soon, possibly in the upcoming iOS 18.4 beta.

Take-Two's CEO has stated that if there is another version of Grand Theft Auto Online (possibly called GTA Online 2), it won’t take away from the current GTA Online. Basically, GTA Online will stay up for as long as there's an audience.

Hand and head tracking combined with a sense of immersion not possible on a TV mean that fitness games thrive in VR. While the popular martial arts games on Meta Quest 3 are too intense for me, I wanted to get in on the sweaty fun with intense Beat Saber sessions. It worked until it didn’t.

Planned Parenthood's official Instagram account went dark on Feb. 13, removing all of its posts and uploading a cryptic Instagram story complete with suspicious eyeball emojis and an "I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me" meme.

Reproductive justice advocates and some of the health organization's major opponents, like extremist hate-peddler Libs of TikTok, quickly jumped to the idea of a possible hack, amid growing concern that major social media platforms are censoring abortion and reproductive justice accounts. Patients and users expressed worry online that the vital resources routinely posted and archived on Planned Parenthood were lost. Conservative commentators suggested the account was shutting its doors as it bowed down to the far right campaign to defund the vital clinic network.

But, the organization confirmed to Mashable that the page wasn't the latest victim of a cybersecurity breach — just a cheeky attempt to "break the internet" in the name of safe, consensual sex.

SEE ALSO: Bookmark these abortion resources now

"Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Instagram went dark temporarily as we prepared to mark National Condom Week, February 14-21. Organizations and brands sometimes do this to promote something new — it’s a normal thing you’ve seen if you’ve spent any time on Beyoncé’s internet, but it sent some known opponents of Planned Parenthood’s mission spiraling," Planned Parenthood clarified in a statement to Mashable. "As the foremost sexual and reproductive health care provider in the country, Planned Parenthood will never stop working to help people get the information and care — and condoms — they need to have safe and healthy relationships. "

The Instagram page now sports two new posts: A set of tongue-in-cheek Valentine's Day cards and a guide to "flirty ways" to ask your partner to wear a condom. National Condom Week, celebrated from Feb. 14-21, is a national public service campaign encouraging safe sex and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. "This National Condom Week, Planned Parenthood is celebrating the power of condoms in making sex safer and more fun. Condoms not only protect against STIs and unintended pregnancies, but also help remove stress or worry, allowing you to relax and focus on the fun part," said Julia Bennett, senior director of Digital Education & Learning Strategy at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

The organization has confirmed that the page's previous posts will be restored following National Condom Week's close.

The last few weeks the tech news has been mostly about how DeepSeek, the Chinese answer to western large language models (LLM), is sweeping the world—and sweeping away a lot of market value, besides. What sets DeepSeek apart from GPT, though, and is there more to it than just being cheaper to run?