Tech
I compared AirTag 2 to the original: All the new and improved features
Apple's AirTag 2 is finally here.
Well, the product's actual name is once again just "AirTag," but we'll call it AirTag 2 because it's a second-generation product. So what does it bring to the table? What can it bring to the table, given that it's just a silver-and-white puck that tracks its own location?
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What is AirTag?
Before we dive into details, a little history. The original AirTag tracking device was launched in April 2021. It's deceivingly simple: You connect it to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch via Bluetooth, and then you can track its location through Apple's Find My app. Because the Find My network uses compatible iPhones, iPads, and other devices to help track lost items — and because there are a lot of iPhones in the world — the Find My network is famous for its reliability.
The AirTag is, in fact, a dual tracker. It relies on Bluetooth signals from other iOS and iPadOS devices it encounters to provide a rough location. If it's close enough, then you can precisely track it, thanks to Apple's ultra-wideband U1 chip.
The AirTag also features a speaker, and you can play a sound to make finding it easier. It relies on (replaceable but not rechargeable) battery power, with an advertised one year of battery life.
Use cases are numerous. You can put it in a key ring (Apple provides several options) and use it to track your keys. You can do the same for your wallet, backpack, or bike. Or you can put it in your luggage when you fly to make sure it doesn't get lost — at least not for very long.
How is AirTag 2 better than AirTag?
The AirTag 2 doesn't bring any revolutionary new features. It's still a little puck that you can track via Find My. But it does improve a few important aspects of the original AirTag.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
First, the AirTag 2 has Apple's new U2 chip and a new Bluetooth chip. Thanks to this, you'll be able to track it precisely from farther away — 50 percent farther than the old AirTag. Keep in mind that you'll need an iPhone 15 or later (the iPhone 16e is not included) as only those phones have the new U2 chip as well.
The AirTag 2 also has a louder speaker than the original AirTags. That's important for obvious reasons; if your AirTag is hanging on a keychain you've misplaced in a coat pocket, it will now be easier to hear its sound when you trigger it.
The battery inside the two devices is exactly the same, as are other specifications such as dimensions and weight.
Is the range really better?
Apple doesn't disclose the precise range for Precision Finding on the AirTag, probably because it depends on numerous factors, such as how many walls are between you and your missing item.
Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
But the company sent me an AirTag 2 to try out, so I could test the range in my two-bedroom apartment. The results I got were pretty good. I placed the new AirTag in one bedroom, and then went to the farthest corner of the apartment. It took a second, but my iPhone 17 Pro Max was able to detect it from about 15 meters (49 feet) away, with two walls between us, and could pinpoint its location at 11 meters (36 feet) away.
On the original AirTag, the best I could get was about 30 feet; anything farther than that and the signal would be lost.
As for the sound, it is definitely louder than before, though it's hard to say by exactly how much. I placed my AirTag 2 in a backpack, and I could still easily hear it from another room.
What about the price?
The price for the new AirTag 2 is the same as for the original: $29 for one AirTag or $99 for a pack of four. They're available for sale now at Apple and Amazon. However, it is worth noting that the first-gen AirTag is often discounted. You can get the AirTag 1 for $25.99 on Amazon (or grab a 4-pack for $69.99), which is a better deal, especially if you own an older iPhone that doesn't support precision tracking.
Tech
Bad Bunnys halftime show sparked emotional reactions across the Americas. See the heartwarming videos now.
During Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show, millions of viewers experienced the performance together — cheering in living rooms, filming on their phones, and reacting in real time. But for those of Latin American descent, hearing their home countries named out loud during Benito's grand finale made the moment especially meaningful.
In his closing act, Bad Bunny transformed the stage into a celebration of the Americas. Dancers carried flags from countries across North, Central, and South America, while a massive screen behind him flashed messages like "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." He capped the roll call of nations with a declaration that "together, we are America," framing the finale as a moment of shared identity and joy.
For those watching at home, the emotion didn't end when the music stopped. Viewers immediately took to social media to document their reactions, sharing clips of their friends and families cheering, hugging, and erupting with pride when their countries were named — turning a televised performance into a collective celebration.
Together, these clips formed a digital mosaic of diaspora, stitched from small, intimate moments across phone screens and time zones. Each video captured the same feeling: that for a few minutes, home — wherever it was — didn't feel so far away.
Tech
Best last-minute deals on Valentines Day flowers so far — you have way more options than plain roses
The Bouqs Co.
1-800-Flowers
Urban Stems
Unless your recipient has explicitly expressed their disdain for receiving flowers (we all know at least one hater), you really can't go wrong with surprising someone with fresh blooms for Valentine's Day. Not when there are so many opportunities to pick out a truly unique bouquet that fits his or her tastes: Most of the best flower delivery services are offering great last-minute Valentine's Day deals on flower deliveries, saving you 25% to 50% on a gift for the upcoming romantic weekend.
1-800-Flowers is your go-to spot for a classic bouquet of roses on a budget, while The Bouqs Co. and Urban Stems have elevated takes on traditional arrangements that aren't like anything you'd walk past in the grocery store. A majority of bouquets on sale can be delivered by Saturday, Feb. 14 (check the earliest possible delivery date for each). Either way, you're bound to find some pretty stems that scream "them" — so while the timing itself is rushed, the flowers they receive don't have to feel like an afterthought.
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SAVE $30: As of Feb. 10, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is on sale for just $69.99 at Amazon. That's 30% off its list price of $99.99.
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Mashable's shopping team has spent quite a bit of time with Ultimate Ears Bluetooth speakers and we're big fans. We love the Hyperboom and Epicboom, but the itty bitty Wonderboom is one of our absolute favorites. If you're in the market for a portable Bluetooth speaker, we highly recommend this tiny powerhouse — especially when it's on sale.
As of Feb. 10, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is down to just $69.99 at Amazon. That's 30% off its list price of $99.99 and just 10 bucks shy of its best-ever price from Black Friday.
Our favorite sub-$100 Bluetooth speaker, the Wonderboom 4 fits in the palm of your hand but offers surprisingly balanced and powerful sound. As Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard noted in our roundup, "the sound profile is well-rounded and can get loud."
It can last up to 14 hours on a full charge, handles drops from up to five feet like a champ, and can be submerged in water for up to half an hour. We do wish it offered a companion app to customize the sound profile, but for a ultra-portable no-frills speaker, it's an excellent value.
Bad Bunnys halftime show sparked emotional reactions across the Americas. See the heartwarming videos now.
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