Reality Labs has lost $47.5 billion over the past three years and is expected to continue bleeding cash.

Robot vacuums that can both mop and sweep your floors have improved significantly in recent years. While they are still not as effective as good ol’ manual labor, if you run them regularly, they will help keep your floors cleaner with much less effort on your part.The difference is that newer “combo” robot vacuum and mop models are designed to actually scrub your floors. The first robot vacuums that could also “mop” simply slapped a thin, flat microfiber pad on the bot that kind of Swiffer-ed your floor. Basically, all this was good for was getting up fine dirt that the vacuum left behind.A robot vacuum with a real mopping system will make your life easier Newer models now come with vibrating or oscillating mop pads, and some even have roller mops. Most models have onboard water tanks to keep the mops wet while in use, and many can wash and dry their mops in their charging docks, which also automatically empty and refill their water tanks, meaning less work for you.While most robot vacuums today come with some sort of mopping feature, this guide focuses on those that excel at mopping. If you’re more interested in the best vacuum, check out my guide to floor sweeping bots.The downside to these combo bots with serious mopping chops is that they tend to be bigger and heavier and need more frequent intervention than regular vacuum bots. Water equals gunk, and cleaning their giant multifunction docks, even the self-cleaning ones, can be an icky job. You also have to empty and refill their tanks about once a week. RelatedMopping bots also need to return to their docks more frequently than robot vacuums in order to refill their onboard water tanks. This means they’ll take longer to clean your floors than a dedicated vacuuming model, but they are doing two jobs at once. Robot mops with roller mops will self-clean as they work, negating this issue, but these models are also the largest and bulkiest, as they carry a bigger water tank on board. Combo bots can mop and vacuum simultaneously, but for especially dirty floors, it’s best to have the option to vacuum first and then mop. A mop-only mode is also good, as you can send the bot to clean up a wet spill without it sucking up water — something they’re not designed to do, yet.If you have a lot of hardwood or tile floors and constantly struggle with muddy paw prints or the general dirtiness of life with multiple pets, people, and kids, a good robot vacuum and mop combo will definitely make your life easier. In this articleWhat I’m looking forThis is a charging base that empties the robot’s bin, washes and dries the bot’s mops, and empties and refills its water tank. This is essential if you want to be as hands-free as possible when mopping your floor. Some offer hot water washing and drying options that will keep your pads cleaner for longer. But you’ll want to throw them in the wash eventually. A dock that can self-clean the washboard (the area where it cleans the mops) is a nice upgrade, as you won’t have to do it yourself as often.The bigger the clean and dirty water tanks on the dock, the less often you’ll have to refill them. If the dock can connect directly to the plumbing, even better; it’s a more complicated install, but makes for a more hands-off experience long term.Mop type matters. The main options are circular and spinning, flat and vibrating, or rolling and self-cleaning. Rolling (like the beater bar on a vacuum cleaner) is my favorite because it does a better job of getting floors really clean. The greater surface area of a roller mop, combined with the self-cleaning function — the vac sprays water onto the mop as it runs — makes it a more effective option than flat or spinning mops in most cases. However, oscillating mops that can extend outwards are better at getting into grout between tiles, along baseboards, and under low furniture. If you have low-pile rugs and carpet, mop pads that the robot can lift up (by at least 10 mm) should prevent your carpets from getting damp when the robot rolls over them. However, robots that can remove the mop pads entirely before vacuuming carpets are a good option, especially if you have high-pile rugs.Specs around mop pressure and rotation speed are similar to those for suction power on the vacuum; they matter to some extent, but what’s more important is how effective the pads are. The higher the pressure, the more effective it should be on tougher stains. The higher the rotations per minute (RPMs), the more friction the stain has to deal with. It’s hard to judge pressure, as several manufacturers don’t list it and those that do use different measurements, but 12 Newtons, roughly 2.2 pounds of downward pressure, is very good.A well-laid-out app is key. It should let you choose which rooms to clean, and in what order. Generally, you want a mopping bot to clean the dirtiest room last (think bathroom or hallway) to avoid cross-contamination. I also look for the option to mop only, in addition to mop and vacuum, or vacuum then mop, and, of course, vacuum only.Best robot vacuum and mop8Verge ScoreDeebot X8 Pro Omni$1200$13008% off$1200The GoodSelf-cleaning roller mopExtendable mopExcellent obstacle avoidanceSmaller dockThe BadLimited mop liftHeavy, struggles with transitionsSingle roller brush$1200 at Amazon$1200 at EcovacsHow we rate and review productsMultifunction Dock: Yes, auto empty (3L) and drain/refill (4L dirty, 4L clean) / Mop style: Roller / Mop washing: Yes, hot water and hot air drying / Mop pressure: 4,000Pa at 200 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 10mm / Edge cleaning: Yes, mop extension / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 18,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single rubber/bristle / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts, Matter support promisedEcovacs’ Deebot X8 Pro Omni is a welcome return to form for Ecovacs’ flagship line. Its new tower-less lidar navigation system did a much better job of mapping and navigating than the previous flagship, the Deebot X2 Omni, which was constantly getting lost in my tests. However, the most notable thing about the X8 is the Ozmo Roller Mop. This is the best roller mopping bot I’ve tested, thanks mostly to the Ozmo’s ability to extend outwards to clean along baseboards and furniture. This is a unique feature on a roller mop (for now) that makes up for the mop’s relatively short length (both the Eufy S1 and Switchbot S10 have longer roller mops). At $1,299, the X8 is also one of the less expensive flagship models.The roller mop can extend outwards. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The VergeThe tank for cleaning solution is refillable. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The VergeThe X8 did an excellent job on my milk, OJ, and dried ketchup tests, absorbing the small spills with one or two passes. It covered the floors evenly, without leaving any streaks or gaps, something that I’ve seen happen with spinning mop pads. When it comes across an edge — be it a baseboard, furniture like a chair or table leg, or any obstacle — it extends out its mop to the right to clean as close as possible. It did an excellent job getting the grime up from the stools around my kitchen counter, something most other bots struggle to do.This is the best roller mopping bot I’ve testedThe self-cleaning brush system kept the bot from smearing any spills it encountered. As it’s cleaning, a scraper squeegees off the dirty water and 16 nozzles spray it with fresh water and solution, if you use it. As with most high-end mopping bots, the dock has the option of auto-dispensing cleaning solution.The X8 was the best vacuuming robot among the serious combo bots I tested, outperforming my Cheerio and oatmeal tests and doing a good job on rugs (when it could reach them). However, its vacuum has a relatively small, single rubber roller brush, which is less effective than Roborock’s and Roomba’s dual roller brush models (which include the S8 MaxV Ultra and the 10 Max).The water tanks are easily accessible. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The VergeThe dock is small with nice rose gold accents. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The VergeThe X8 uses lidar and a 3D camera for mapping; the latter also facilitates its obstacle detection, which is very good — it easily navigated fake dog turds and cables while sucking up oatmeal and Cheerios. It’s much better at navigating than the X2, but it did occasionally get itself trapped, including when it went under a chair that was too low for it to get out from. The top of the robot was fairly scratched up after just one week of use. (Worth noting, Ecovacs suffered a hack last year in which bad actors could access the camera and microphone on the X2)The X8’s multifunction dock is much smaller than the X2’s and has some nice rose gold accents. Its water tanks are integrated into the dock and supereasy to remove to empty and refill — there’s no lid to mess with, you just lift up and go. The X8 doesn’t self-clean its washboard, however, and while it’s removable to make it easier to clean, I still had to get on my knees and scrub its base station after just a week of use.It easily navigated fake dog turds and cables while sucking up oatmeal and CheeriosThe downside of roller mop bots is that they are big and heavy: the X8 weighs a whopping 12 pounds. Despite an ability to lift itself up to clear thresholds, the X8 isn’t as agile as smaller, lighter robot vacs. It struggled with the combo challenge of a large, tasseled, high-pile rug and spindly chair leg. Very few robot vacs tackle that one well, but it got stuck on the chair leg and sucked up the rug tassels. I ended up setting a keep-out zone so it could complete its job.The integrated nature of the roller mop means the bot can’t remove it when it goes to vacuum carpet, as some mopping bots with pads can. It can lift it, but only 10mm, which isn’t going to work for the fluffiest rugs. The X8 does have carpet sensors, and you can choose to avoid them automatically, pass over them, or vacuum only. But its best carpet feature is the option to have it vacuum the carpets first, then mop everywhere else. Overall, the Deebot X8 is a stellar vacuum mop combo for anyone seeking a robot that will thoroughly scrub and sweep their floors. With high-end features at a decent price, the X8’s roller mop, slick navigation, and excellent obstacle avoidance will get the job done.Best budget robot vacuum and mop8Verge ScoreRoborock S8 Plus$550$75027% off$550The GoodSonic-moppingAuto-mop liftAI-powered obstacle avoidanceDual-rubber roller brushesCarpet detectionThe BadVery large and wideHave to wash the mop manuallyHave to refill the water tank manuallyNo heated dryingLimited mop lift$550 at Amazon (with Prime)$550 at RoborockHow we rate and review productsMultifunction Dock: No - just auto empty / Mop style: Vibrating pad / Mop washing: No / Mop pressure: 6N pressure, vibrates 3000 times a minute / Mop lift: Yes, 5mm / Edge cleaning: No / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 6,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Dual rubber / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri ShortcutsThe Roborock S8 is a great vacuum featuring AI-powered obstacle detection, dual rubber roller brushes, and 6,000Pa of suction. These are all features you won’t find on most budget bots, and combined, they mean the S8 does a good job vacuuming hard floors and carpets. Then, its flat mop, which vibrates 3,000 times a second, is very effective at scrubbing hard floors. Unlike most robot vacuums in this guide, the S8 won’t automatically fill its water tank or wash its mop; you will have to do that work manually. However, it does have an extra-large onboard water tank, again a feature you won’t find on cheaper mopping bots, which means the mop gets sufficiently wet to be effective.The S8 wasn’t designed as a budget bot; in fact, it was Roborock’s flagship model in 2023, but buying an older model like this can save you a lot of money while still doing a good job. Once $750 for the robot alone, now you can often find it for well under $500, and that’s with its auto-empty dock.1/5The S8 Plus adds an auto-empty dock to the robot vacuumOne of my favorite features of the S8 is that it can be set to mop only, and it does an excellent job, moving in a tighter “Z” pattern and going over the floors twice. It also has a slow option for a more thorough cleaning. I liked to send it out to vacuum everywhere first, then recharge and go out again to mop, which resulted in sparklingly clean floors. It does take a long time, though, and it doesn’t have any edge cleaning options, so it won’t mop as well along baseboards or under low furniture as the more expensive models.Another great feature at this price is carpet sensing — the S8 can raise its mops a few millimeters to avoid dampening your carpets. Most other budget mopping bots require you to remove the mop pads when vacuuming carpet or set keep-out zones around your rugs. However, the mop-raising feature can only clear low-pile rugs, so I had to set no-mopping zones around my plush floor coverings.The S8 requires a fair amount of hands-on time since you have to refill its reservoir manually and wash the mopping pads (you can throw them in the washing machine). But if you’re good with a little more manual labor in exchange for cleaner floors, the S8 is a great option.Best midrange robot vacuum and mop7Verge ScoreEufy X10 Pro Omni$700$80013% off$700The GoodGood AI-powered obstacle detectionEffective moppingExcellent valueNice dockThe BadSingle rubber / bristle brushLower suction power No heated mop washingSome navigation issuesHow we rate and review productsMultifunction Dock: Yes, auto empty (2.5L) and drain/refill (2.7L dirty, 3L clean) / Mop style: Dual spinning pads / Mop washing: Yes, hot air drying / Mop pressure: 2.2 lbs at 180 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 12 mm / Edge cleaning: Yes, swinging motion / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 8,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single rubber bristle hybrid / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri ShortcutsThe Eufy X10 Pro Omni is an excellent mop vacuum hybrid with a full multifunction dock. Unlike the Roborock S8, it can wash its mop, drain, and refill its water tank. It’s also the cheapest model to offer dual spinning mop pads, and it has very good obstacle detection for this price range. However, the X10 has just 8,000Pa suction, no hot water washing, and smaller water tanks. While it has most of the same functions as the top-of-the-line mopping bots, it’s not quite as effective at any of them. Which is sort of the definition of “midrange.”An edge-hugging mode makes the robot swing its behind into the baseboards to help mop edges, but this is less effective than mop extension found on the more expensive models. With its squarish shape, it gets into corners better than most of the round bots, but its 12mm mop pad lift over carpet wasn’t effective, resulting in its pads getting hung up in a few places.1/4The Eufy is a large robot with a square-shaped front.The Eufy performed very well in my mopping tests, eradicating dried stains with its 2.2 pounds of downward pressure. Thanks to an onboard water reservoir, it didn’t have to head home to fill up as frequently as some bots do. It also has heated mop drying to help prevent the base from getting stinky — a first in this price range. The X10 has great object recognition, allowing it to suck up Cheerios and piles of oatmeal while deftly navigating fake dog turds and cables. However, its navigation sometimes got screwy; it would go into a corner and stay there for a while, trying to figure itself out.Best robot vacuum and mop for a mix of hard floors and rugs8Verge ScoreDreame X40 Ultra$900$155042% off$900The GoodSelf-removing mop pads Mop extension reaches under edgesSelf-cleaning washboardDirt detection techThe BadMiddling AI obstacle detection Single rubber roller brushApp can be flaky$950 at Dreame$900 at AmazonHow we rate and review productsMultifunction Dock: Yes, auto empty (3L) and drain/refill (4L dirty, 4.5L clean) / Mop style: Dual spinning pads / Mop washing: Yes, hot water and hot air drying / Mop pressure: Unknown / Mop lift: Yes, 10.5 mm / Edge cleaning: Yes, mop extension Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 12,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single, rubber / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri ShortcutsIf you have a lot of fluffy rugs or carpets as well as hard floors, the Dreame X40 Ultra is the best robot vacuum for you. It’s not quite as effective as a mop or vacuum as the Ecovacs Deebot X8, but it’s better suited for high-pile carpet and rugs because it can automatically drop and reattach its mopping pads during vacuuming, eliminating the risk of getting your rugs wet or stained. The Ecovacs X8 can only raise its mop 10mm, not remove it, so it struggles on high-pile carpets.Along with dropping its pads, the X40 can also extend and swing them to get under your cabinets and consoles. The X8 can extend to an edge, but won’t get under those low cabinets or furniture. I watched the X40 spread its mops wide apart and swing behind my TV console, allowing it to access the dust wedged a good inch under it.However, because the X40 features dual spinning mop pads rather than a self-cleaning roller mop, it requires more frequent returns to clean the mops, which means it takes longer to clean your home. The X40’s spinning pads are effective at scrubbing your floors, but I found the X8’s roller mop to be better overall and more consistent.1/3The X40 Ultra has self-removable, dual spinning mopping pads.The X40 can clean its washboard and features AI-powered smart dirt detection, which uses its cameras to identify spills, such as milk, or particularly dirty areas. When it spots something, it slows down and performs a more thorough cleaning. It also has an option to just mop. These are features the Ecovacs X8 doesn’t offer.Dreame recently released the X50 Ultra, which adds 20,000Pa suction power and the ability to climb over higher thresholds. I’m currently testing this model.Best robot vacuum and mop for hardwood floors7Verge ScoreEufy Omni S1 Pro$800$130038% off$800The GoodLong roller mopSleek, futuristic designDual side brushesSquare shape helps with cornersThe BadMiddling vacuum performanceNo self-cleaning baseNo mop extension$1500 at Amazon$800 at EufyHow we rate and review productsMultifunction Dock: Yes, auto empty (2.5L) and drain/refill (2L dirty, 3L clean) / Mop style: Roller / Mop washing: Yes, warm water and hot air drying / Mop pressure: 10N, 170 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 12mm / Edge cleaning: No Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 8,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Rubber / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri ShortcutsIf you have mostly hardwood floors, the Eufy Omni S1 Pro is an excellent option. With its sleek, high-tech design and a long 11.4-inch roller mop, this product did an excellent job of keeping the hardwood floors of my main living area spotless. I found the Eufy’s longer roller mop to be slightly more effective than the Deebot X8’s, mopping evenly and getting up more dirt on its first pass. While there is no mop extension of edge mopping, its square shape does help it get into corners, and its dual spinning side brushes help pull in debris.The Eufy S1 has a unique “love it or hate it” look. I kind of love it.However, its vacuuming prowess is middling; this really is a dedicated mopping robot. With just 8,000Pa suction power and a small rubber brush, it did a decent job of getting up debris, but left several flakes of oatmeal, thanks to its side brushes spinning the debris out beyond the bot’s reach. Its obstacle avoidance is also fairly average; it dodged larger items but struggled with cables. The S1’s omni station is quite eye-catching, with a tall, futuristic design, and clear water tanks with glowing lights inside — although it might be considered an eyesore, depending on your style. Usefully, everything you need to interact with is located at the top, so there’s no need to bend down: a touchscreen display provides controls and the clean and dirty water tanks are easy to remove. If you have tile or scraped wood floors, a bot with oscillating mop pads will be better at getting into the crevicesWhile it has a mop lift of 12mm (which is higher than the X8’s), it really struggled on my high-pile carpets, to the point where I had to set keep-out zones around them. Like the X8, the S1 self-cleans the mop with water jets as it’s working, and you can set how frequently it returns to the base station for a thorough clean with warm water before continuing to mop. It will also dry the mop with hot air, which is effective, if noisy.The Eufy’s 11.4-inch roller brush extends almost the entire length of the front. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The VergeThe Eufy has two spinning side brushes, which help get dirt into the bot’s path. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The VergeNeither the X8 nor the S1 have self-cleaning washboards, something Dreame offers. This is where the dock automatically washes the mopping tray in the dock – Dreame’s uses little wipers that go back and forth. It still needs to be cleaned eventually, but it does help keep the ick at bay for longer. The S1 station’s debris filter got grungy fast and required manual cleaning, although this is fairly straightforward. After a month of use, I also had to disassemble the scraper and filter inside the bot, as well as remove the roller mop. This is something you’ll need to do for all mopping bots, but the Eufy’s was the most involved process, requiring me to disassemble multiple parts.In my testing, I found that roller mops are great for most hardwood floors, but if you have lots of tile or scraped wood floors with grooves and nooks and crannies, a bot with oscillating mop pads will be better, as these do a better job of getting into crevices such as grout lines. Best robot vacuum and mop for tile floors8Verge ScoreNarwal Freo Z Ultra$1100$150027% off$1100The GoodSuperb moppingGreat obstacle avoidanceExcellent dirt detectionSelf-cleans its washboardVery quietThe BadMinimal mop liftEdge cleaning just okayUses a lot of waterApp is unreliable$1100 at Amazon$1300 at NarwalHow we rate and review productsMultifunction Dock: Yes, auto, empty (2.5L) and drain/refill (4.1L dirty, 4.5L clean) / Mop style: Dual triangular spinning pads / Mop washing: Yes, hot air drying / Mop Pressure: 2.6lbs at 180 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 12mm / Edge cleaning: Yes, robot swing and fluffer / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 12,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single, conical rubber bristle hybrid / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri ShortcutNarwal’s latest flagship mopping bot, the Freo Z Ultra, combines everything I loved about the Freo X Ultra, and adds better vacuuming, better object avoidance, an auto-empty dock (a first for Narwal), and a fluffy side brush to polish your baseboards. It also now comes in gray (white robot vacuums are not a good idea, unless you like cleaning your robot vacuum).With its dual, triangular spinning mop pads (the unique shape helps avoid missing spots), the Freo Z is a great choice for homes with lots of hard floors, and especially tile. The oscillating mop pads are slightly better than roller mops at getting into grout lines and other crevices found on natural surfaces. The Freo Z’s downward pressure of 2.6 lbs meant it did a great job of scrubbing up dried-on debris, excelling in my dried ketchup test, even getting the red gunk up from tile grout.A fluffy sidebrush and swinging motion help the bot clean along edges and baseboards.Triangular-shaped mopping pads meet in the middle, meaning fewer missed spots.Like the Deebot X8, the Freo Z can recognize various floor materials, including tile, hardwood, and marble, and clean in the direction of the flooring, such as along the wood grain. Unlike the X8, it automatically adjusts pressure and “mopping humidity” based on the floor type, using higher humidity on tile floors than on wood floors, which can be impacted by excessive moisture. The Freo Z also self-cleans its station and has a removable tray, making maintenance easier.The Freo Z is remarkably quiet, making it a great option for running in a bedroomVacuuming is much better than the Freo X, with the Z boasting 12,000Pa. While that’s not as high as the X8, the Freo Z is remarkably quiet, making it a great option for running in a primary bedroom suite where you may have a tile bathroom combined with carpet.As with the X8, the Narwal doesn’t deal well with high-pile rugs, as there’s still only a 12 mm mop lift and no automatic mop removal. However, you can set it to perform one of four actions when it encounters a carpet: sidestep, cross it without cleaning, power boost to clean the carpet more effectively, or regular cleaning.The obstacle detection is vastly improved and very good. A dual camera system allows the bot to not only see objects but uses AI to identify what they are and “decide” how to clean them. The best use of this I saw in testing is when there was a large puddle of water and it automatically switched to mop-only so as not to suck up liquid.Similarly, Narwal’s dirt detect feature is very good. The bot goes back and forth over a stain or dirty area to ensure it’s clean. A control panel on the top provides quick access to control the robot.The dock contains a dustbin, two water tanks, and a non-refillable proprietary cleaning solution.My two biggest gripes with the Freo Z are that it uses a lot of water; it doesn’t have an onboard water tank, so it has to return frequently to refill — and could only clean my 800 square foot area once before I needed to refill the main tank in the dock. By comparison, the X8’s tank only needed refilling after three runs. Additionally, its app can be frustrating. It’s not easy to navigate, gets hung up between screens, and frequently disconnects from the robot. However, unlike the X8, the Narwal has controls on top of the station to start a clean, and once I had programmed a schedule, I didn’t find myself needing to use the app much at all. The fluffy sidebrush feels more of a novelty than a necessity and doesn’t really seem to do much. Also, at this price, it would be nice if the Narwal offered a self-cleaning washboard. However, its washboard is removable, which makes it easier to clean manually.Best robot vacuum and mop with a plumbing hookup7Verge ScoreSwitchBot S10$460$120062% off$460The GoodAlmost hands-freeExcellent roller mopSelf-cleansBattery-powered water stationSupports MatterThe BadBig and wideCan’t mop a second floor; it will only vacuumShort battery lifeLow suction power$460 at Switchbot (with code BFCM500A)How we rate and review productsMultifunction Dock: Yes, auto, empty (4L) and drain/refill (two separate devices) / Mop style: Roller / Mop washing: Yes (during use), hot air drying / Mop Pressure: 2.2lbs at 300 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 7mm / Edge cleaning: No / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 6,500Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single rubber bristle hybrid / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcut, MatterThe SwitchBot S10 is a multitasking robot that hooks into your plumbing for a virtually hands-free sweeping and mopping experience. It’s one of the best robot mops I’ve tested, thanks to its self-cleaning roller mop and the fact that I never had to empty or fill its water tanks. These two features meant I could set it and forget it and have clean floors for weeks.My other favorite feature of the S10 is its dual docking system. Its main dock is a charging / auto-empty dock, and there’s a separate battery-powered dock water station that you can put in a different room. This battery-powered dock is what makes the S10 the best plumbing hookup option, as it gives you much more flexibility with placement. Roborock, Dreame, and Narwal also have plumbing hookup docks, but they require power (I’ve not tested either of those yet).1/5The S10 is a very large and heavy robot.While the SwitchBot is a decent vacuum, it’s not the best. Its relatively paltry 6,500Pa of suction power is low compared to the competition, but the bot’s weight did help the rubber roller brush dig into the carpet and get up most of the cat hair.S10 frequently got stuck on clothes left on my floor and bath mats — which are the bane of most mopping botsOther downsides include the AI obstacle avoidance, which isn’t great. The S10 frequently got stuck on clothes left on my floor and bath mats, its battery life is short, and it lacks high-end features like dirt detection. There is also no edge cleaning function, meaning it didn’t do a great job along baseboards and around furniture.SwitchBot recently announced the SwitchBot S20 Pro, slated to launch this summer. The upgrade addresses some of my issues with the S10, including adding an extendable roller mop and side brush to add edge cleaning, as well as 15,000Pa. It also comes with the option of two all-in-one auto-empty base stations: one with a regular water tank you manually refill, or one that can hook into your plumbing. But it will also work with the battery-powered water station. I plan on testing this soon.RelatedHow I test robot vacuumsI’ve been testing robot vacuums for 6 years and have tested over 60 models. I write The Verge’s Best robot vacuum buying guide and the Best budget robot vacuum guide, and for this guide, I tested 15 different mopping robots.To evaluate the bots, I ran each regularly for at least a week and measured their progress, evaluating how clean the floor stays, how well they navigate, how often I had to refill the tanks, how well the auto-empty function worked, and how easy the app was to use.I run them in my kitchen, where I have hardwood floors, and in a large bathroom with a white tile floor — one that looks filthy just a day after being cleaned. For specific tests, I deploy a wet and dry challenge. The wet challenge features dried-on OJ and ketchup, plus fresh spills of milk, water, and some kind of sauce. For the dry challenge, I place cereal (usually Cheerios) and oatmeal (a really tough one to clean). I evaluate how well the bots deal with mopping the stains and vacuuming the debris.Finally, I test their obstacle detection by running them through an obstacle course featuring common robot trip-ups, including fake dog poop, cables, socks, and tricky chair legs.What I’m currently testing and what’s coming nextNarwal’s upcoming Narwal Flow features a big and wide extendable roller mop.Roborock’s Saros 10 ($1,599.99) and Saros 10R ($1,599.99) are upgrades to my pick for the best overall robot vacuum, the S8 MaxV Ultra. Both can automatically remove their mop pads when not needed, which is a new option for Roborock. One uses dual spinning mops, the other a flat vibrating pad.Roborock also recently announced the $1,899 Saros Z70, the first mass-produced robovac to feature a robotic arm that can pick up objects like socks and tissues. It has dual spinning mop pads that it can automatically remove. Roborock’s cheaper Qrevo Curv ($1,599.99) also has dual spinning mop pads (which you have to remove) and can raise itself to clear thresholds up to 40mm. The company’s $1,399.99 Qrevo Slim offers similar functions but features a new navigation system and lacks a lidar tower, allowing it to fit under low furniture.iRobot’s new Roomba lineup features two models with dual spinning mopping pads and auto-wash docks. The new Roomba 505 also offers heated mop drying, a feature the higher-end Roomba Combo 10 Max lacks.The Narwal Flow sports the brand’s first roller mop, which can also extend. It claims to be able to tackle thick, fluffy carpets with a deep carpet boost mode and is scheduled to arrive this June.The Matic is a $1,095 robot vacuum that doesn’t need a cloud connection to work and can suck up wet spills as well as dry. Here’s some video of it in action.Eureka’s $1,099.99 J20 features a very wide roller mop but only 8,000Pa suction. The new J15 Max Ultra ($1,299), coming this spring, can accurately spot liquids and automatically rotate its body to tackle wet spills with its dual spinning mopping pads. It’s an upgrade to the J15 Pro Ultra ($999.99), which can identify colored liquids but not clear or white ones.The Dreame X50 Ultra ($1,699.99) features a “motorized swing arm” that functions like a leg, enabling the robovac to climb over transitions up to 6cm tall. Otherwise, it’s a lot like the X40 Ultra in this guide, only with higher suction power and a retractable lidar tower.The Switchbot S20 Pro is the successor to the S10 and scheduled to launch this summer. It features an extendable roller mop and side brush, as well as 15,000Pa of suction power, more than twice that of the S10.SharkNinja’s PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 robot vacuum mop ($999.99) can lift itself up as high as 20mm to get over rugs and transitions. Its automatic empty /wash / dry cleaning station doesn’t require bags.Photography by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The VergeSee More:

Mathematical reasoning has long presented a formidable challenge for AI, demanding not only an understanding of abstract concepts but also the ability to perform multi-step logical deductions with precision. Traditional language models, while adept at generating fluent text, often struggle when tasked with solving complex mathematical problems that require both deep domain knowledge and structured reasoning. This gap has driven research toward specialized architectures and training regimens designed to imbue models with robust mathematical capabilities. By focusing on targeted datasets and fine-tuning strategies, AI developers aim to bridge the gap between natural language understanding and formal mathematical problem-solving. NVIDIA has introduced OpenMath-Nemotron-32B and OpenMath-Nemotron-14B-Kaggle, each meticulously engineered to excel in mathematical reasoning tasks. Building on the success of the Qwen family of transformer models, these Nemotron variants utilize large-scale fine-tuning on an extensive corpus of mathematical problems, collectively known as the OpenMathReasoning dataset. The design philosophy underlying both releases centers on maximizing accuracy across competitive benchmarks while maintaining practical considerations for inference speed and resource efficiency. By offering multiple model sizes and configurations, NVIDIA provides researchers and practitioners with a flexible toolkit for integrating advanced math capabilities into diverse applications. OpenMath-Nemotron-32B represents the flagship of this series, featuring 32.8 billion parameters and leveraging BF16 tensor operations for efficient hardware utilization. It is built by fine-tuning Qwen2.5-32B on the OpenMathReasoning dataset, a curated collection that emphasizes challenging problems drawn from mathematical Olympiads and standardized exams. This model achieves state-of-the-art results on several rigorous benchmarks, including the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) 2024 and 2025, the Harvard–MIT Mathematics Tournament (HMMT) 2024-25, and the Harvard–London–Edinburgh Mathematics Exam (HLE-Math) series. In its tool-integrated reasoning (TIR) configuration, OpenMath-Nemotron-32B achieves an average pass@1 score of 78.4 percent on AIME24, with a majority-voting accuracy of 93.3 percent, surpassing previous top-performing models by notable margins. To accommodate different inference scenarios, OpenMath-Nemotron-32B supports three distinct modes: chain-of-thought (CoT), tool-integrated reasoning (TIR), and generative solution selection (GenSelect). In CoT mode, the model generates intermediate reasoning steps before presenting a final answer, achieving a pass@1 accuracy of 76.5% on AIME24. When augmented with GenSelect, which produces multiple candidate solutions and selects the most consistent answer, the model’s performance improves further, achieving a remarkable 93.3% accuracy on the same benchmark. These configurations enable users to balance between explanation richness and answer precision, catering to research environments that require transparency as well as production settings that prioritize speed and reliability. Complementing the 32 billion-parameter variant, NVIDIA has also released OpenMath-Nemotron-14B-Kaggle, a 14.8 billion-parameter model fine-tuned on a strategically selected subset of the OpenMathReasoning dataset to optimize for competitive performance. This version served as the cornerstone of NVIDIA’s first-place solution in the AIMO-2 Kaggle competition, a contest that focused on automated problem-solving techniques for advanced mathematical challenges. By calibrating the training data to emphasize problems reflective of the competition’s format and difficulty, the 14B-Kaggle model demonstrated exceptional adaptability, outpacing rival approaches and securing the top leaderboard position. Performance benchmarks for OpenMath-Nemotron-14B-Kaggle mirror those of its larger counterpart, with the model achieving a pass@1 accuracy of 73.7% on AIME24 in CoT mode and improving to 86.7% under GenSelect protocols. On the AIME25 benchmark, it achieves a pass rate of 57.9 percent (majority at 64 of 73.3 percent), and on HMMT-24-25, it attains 50.5 percent (majority at 64 of 64.8 percent). These figures highlight the model’s ability to deliver high-quality solutions, even with a more compact parameter footprint, making it well-suited for scenarios where resource constraints or inference latency are critical factors. Both OpenMath-Nemotron models are accompanied by an open‐source pipeline, enabling full reproducibility of data generation, training procedures, and evaluation protocols. NVIDIA has integrated these workflows into its NeMo-Skills framework, providing reference implementations for CoT, TIR, and GenSelect inference modes. With example code snippets that demonstrate how to instantiate a transformer pipeline, configure dtype and device mapping, and parse model outputs, developers can rapidly prototype applications that query these models for step-by-step solutions or streamlined final answers. Under the hood, both models are optimized to run efficiently on NVIDIA GPU architectures, ranging from the Ampere to the Hopper microarchitectures, leveraging highly tuned CUDA libraries and TensorRT optimizations. For production deployments, users can serve models via Triton Inference Server, enabling low-latency, high-throughput integrations in web services or batch processing pipelines. The adoption of BF16 tensor formats strikes an ideal balance between numerical precision and memory footprint, enabling these large-scale models to fit within GPU memory constraints while maintaining robust performance across various hardware platforms. Several Key Takeaways from the release of OpenMath-Nemotron-32B and OpenMath-Nemotron-14B-Kaggle include: NVIDIA’s OpenMath-Nemotron series addresses the longstanding challenge of equipping language models with robust mathematical reasoning through targeted fine-tuning on the OpenMathReasoning dataset.   The 32 B-parameter variant achieves state-of-the-art accuracy on benchmarks like AIME24/25 and HMMT, offering three inference modes (CoT, TIR, GenSelect) to balance explanation richness and precision.   The 14 B-parameter “Kaggle” model, fine-tuned on a competition-focused subset, secured first place in the AIMO-2 Kaggle competition while maintaining high pass@1 scores, demonstrating efficiency in a smaller footprint.   Both models are fully reproducible via an open-source pipeline integrated into NVIDIA’s NeMo-Skills framework, with reference implementations for all inference modes.   Optimized for NVIDIA GPUs (Ampere and Hopper), the models leverage BF16 tensor operations, CUDA libraries, TensorRT, and Triton Inference Server for low-latency, high-throughput deployments.   Potential applications include AI-driven tutoring systems, academic competition preparation tools, and integration into scientific computing workflows requiring formal or symbolic reasoning.   Future directions may expand to advanced university-level mathematics, multimodal inputs (e.g., handwritten equations), and tighter integration with symbolic computation engines to verify and augment generated solutions. Check out the OpenMath-Nemotron-32B and OpenMath-Nemotron-14B-Kaggle. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and join our Telegram Channel and LinkedIn Group. Don’t Forget to join our 90k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqWebsite |  + postsBioAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences.Asif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Meta AI Releases Web-SSL: A Scalable and Language-Free Approach to Visual Representation LearningAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/AWS Introduces SWE-PolyBench: A New Open-Source Multilingual Benchmark for Evaluating AI Coding AgentsAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Meet Xata Agent: An Open Source Agent for Proactive PostgreSQL Monitoring, Automated Troubleshooting, and Seamless DevOps IntegrationAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/NVIDIA AI Releases Describe Anything 3B: A Multimodal LLM for Fine-Grained Image and Video Captioning

Ryan Reynolds has cast doubt on the chances of Deadpool joining either the Avengers or the X-Men, saying being a part of either team would mean the character was "at the end."Given the huge success of Deadpool & Wolverine, and Deadpool’s obsession with joining the Avengers in the film, some had speculated that Marvel Studios would be keen for the 'Merc with a Mouth' to join forces with the likes of Captain America and Professor X and star in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday.Last month's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal was heavy on veteran X-Men actors. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all now set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, confirming the X-Men are in the film in a big way. Grammer famously played Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise before making his MCU debut via The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart played Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films before appearing briefly in the MCU via Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a member of the Illuminati. McKellen, who played Magneto, has not yet appeared in the MCU. Neither has Cumming, who played Nightcrawler, Romijn, who played Mystique, nor Marsden, who played Cyclops. It begs the question: is Avengers: Doomsday secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?PlayBut Reynolds’ name was not on the long list of stars confirmed to appear in the superhero extravaganza (Channing Tatum, who played Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, did make the cut). And now new comments from Reynolds himself suggest a formal Deadpool promotion to the Avengers or X-Men is not on the cards."If Deadpool becomes an Avenger or an X-Man, we're at the end,” Reynolds told Time. “That's wish fulfillment, and you can't give him that.”However, Reynolds appeared to suggest a surprise appearance as Deadpool in a supporting role might be more appropriate, pointing to how well Wesley Snipes' cameo as Blade went down with fans in Deadpool & Wolverine.So, if joining the Avengers or the X-Men isn’t right for Deadpool, what’s next for the character? Reynolds revealed he’s hard at work writing something new that involves an “ensemble,” but he kept his cards close to his chest."I'm writing a little something right now, that's, I don't know, it's an ensemble," Reynolds added. "But, I like that [Deadpool] is isolated."This could mean another Deadpool movie that leans heavily on cameos, as Deadpool & Wolverine did. Perhaps Snipes' Blade could be involved. It seems like Channing Tatum would be keen to play Gambit again. Other characters who appeare in the movie include Jennifer Garner's Elektra and Dafne Keene's Laura Kinney/X-23.Deadpool & Wolverine: Easter Eggs, Cameos and ReferencesSo, what do we know about Avengers: Doomsday? Apart from the cast list, nothing is set in stone. Earlier this month, Anthony Mackie said he believed Avengers: Doomsday – in which he will reprise his role as Sam Wilson/Captain America – is “going to give the audience that old Marvel feeling that they always had.”Mackie is the latest Doomsday cast member to go on the record about the upcoming Marvel epic following Ant-Man’s Paul Rudd and Human Torch’s Joseph Quinn. Also this month, an apparent Avengers: Doomsday set photo leak sent the Marvel Cinematic Universe fandom into overdrive, with some claiming it signals bad news for the X-Men.Fans were already speculating that Oscar Isaac might appear in Avengers as Moon Knight because he pulled out of this month’s Star Wars Celebration event “due to changes in his production schedule.”Marvel Studios producer Kevin Feige has confirmed that the Avengers livestream did not include the entire cast of Doomsday — “We revealed many, not all,” he said over a video call at CinemaCon.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Movies and heists are the perfect pairing. Both require a perfect crew, a ton of charisma, and clockwork precision in an environment where everything is ready to go wrong. Though we’ve been trained to understand that the perfect crime is as rare as the treasures that movie thieves endeavor to steal, few things top the satisfaction of watching it all come together and fall apart. The best heist movies draw us in time and time again to the illusion of it all.  And while we’re here to celebrate the best heist movies, please note that identifying a heist movie can be as tall of a task as pulling off the perfect plan. I generally tried to draw a line between crime films, con artist movies, simple robberies, and the heist genre itself. It’s a thin line, but the best heist movies typically focus on the job, the crew, the plan, and, more often than not, the fallout.  “It’s not your fault you’ve been brainwashed by America.” With these words, revolutionist Delilah Benson offers cold comfort to returning Vietnam War vet Anthony Curtis and neatly summarizes the spirit that elevates this heist film from directors Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes. Much like they did with Menace II Society, the Hughes brothers use this story of people forced to turn to a life of crime to shine a light on the struggles that plague many Black people who’ve been forced to the outskirts of society. With Dead Presidents, though, they zoom out a bit further to look at how so many soldiers returning home from war (especially the Vietnam War) were forced into lives back home they never imagined they would have to suffer through. It’s heavy material but the Hughes Brothers keep it infinitely watchable thanks to their incredible visual style, some killer performances, and one of the best soundtracks of the ‘90s.  14. Three Kings (1999) Director David O. Russell was reportedly drawn to the concept for Three Kings as soon as he saw the words “heist set in the Gulf War.” From there Russell proceeded to piss off pretty much everyone (including story creator John Ridley and star George Clooney) as he shepherded that brilliant elevator pitch through a nightmarish filming process. And while the director ultimately delivered a heist movie set in the Gulf War, somewhere along the way, Three Kings became something much greater.  As it turns out, much of the drama in Three Kings doesn’t come from three soldiers trying to find a fortune in gold bullion during the final days of the Gulf War. That part proves to be surprisingly simple. Things become far more complicated when those same soldiers try to overcome the moral dilemma of what they are about to get away with. Three Kings features the kind of nuanced observations about America’s involvement in the Middle East that we wouldn’t see again for a long time after 9/11. It also wraps them around an incredible heist adventure that tackles the ethics of thievery.  13. The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) At the risk of needlessly glorifying crime, it must be said that there is something especially slick about being an art thief. Anyone can recognize at least the monetary value of stealing cash or jewels, but art thieves inherently exhibit a taste for the finer things in life. That suave criminality is a big part of the reason why 1999’s The Thomas Crown Affair stands out from the pack.  While this 1999 remake of the 1968 original movie benefits from improved pacing (what else would you expect from legendary action director John McTiernan?), the heart of the film is still its two leads. Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo enjoy a genuinely sexy (and refreshingly age-appropriate) love affair based on their desires, interests, and growing respect for each other’s abilities. It all builds toward a genius final heist that nourishes the soul and mind.  12. Hell or High Water (2016) Hell or High Water dances around that thin line which separates the heist genre from other crime films, but it’s ultimately too difficult to ignore the ways this movie views the economic and class factors that contribute to the decision to “steal.” Written by Taylor Sheridan of Yellowstone fame, Hell or High Water focuses on two brothers who begin to rob banks to fulfill that timeless storytelling goal: saving the family farm. Essentially a Western heist film, Hell or High Water is packed with people trying to carve something for themselves out of a corner of the world that time seems to have forgotten. The desperation of criminality is brilliantly explored in this movie that suggests “getting even” is another way to say you are merely trying to free yourself of impossible debts.   11. A Fish Called Wanda (1988) Given that many movie heists ultimately go wrong in spectacular ways, it’s a little surprising that there aren’t more (or better) comedy heist flicks. Even if there were, it would be hard for them to beat the offbeat brilliance of A Fish Called Wanda.  Join our mailing list Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox! What would otherwise be a relatively straightforward heist story about a jewelry robbery soon becomes complicated by both criminal circumstances and the truly unhinged personalities of the job’s willing (and unwilling) main players. Yes, Kevin Kline steals the show in a performance that is more Oscar worthy than it is typically remembered as, but the real joy is found in witnessing the ensemble constantly try to get one over each other, even when they are theoretically working together.  10. Inception (2010) It feels odd to call Inception a heist movie. It most certainly is, but Christopher Nolan’s story of a group of operatives who perform corporate espionage by diving into people’s dreams goes to such… places that it’s sometimes easy to forget that there’s a heist at the heart of it all.  Yet it’s that heist that allows Nolan to explore the wild conceptual and visual places he so often explores in Inception. The best heist stories are fundamentally twisty tales that find ways to keep us engaged through every turn. Nolan just takes that concept to entirely new levels by bending reality itself around the story of this crew trying to get the goods and get out before it all comes crashing down around them. By regularly returning to that simple genre conceit, Nolan delivers some of the most mind-bending concepts we’ve ever seen in a major release without losing too much of the enraptured audience.  9. The League of Gentlemen (1960) There is a quaintness to The League of Gentlemen that speaks to both its pure, essential “Britishness” and the fact that it was made well before the typical heist movie formula was finalized. Some may even find this story of specialists slowly coming together to rob a bank a bit slow and familiar.  But The League of Gentlemen deserves a lot of love for being one of the earliest examples of this kind of “getting the gang together” style of heist film. It’s also one of the most lovable, clever, and strangely wholesome versions of that concept. Nothing is taken for granted in this foundational heist movie, and the cast and crew’s enthusiasm about the cleverness of the whole thing makes navigating those always enjoyable genre tropes (before they were tropes) that much more enjoyable. This also remains one of the best examples of a movie that wants us to love its thieves while still delivering the “crime doesn’t pay” finale that this era of film demanded.  8. Inside Man (2006) I will eternally envy those who get to watch Inside Man for the first time. What begins as a seemingly standard tale of a cop trying to thwart a bank robbery that frankly feels below director Spike Lee’s standards morphs into one of the cleverest logistical heist films ever made.  Though many heist movies revolve around “the plan,” few movies celebrate the art of slowly watching that plan unfold as well as Inside Man does. Every piece reveals another layer about the growing cast of characters who are swept up in this incredible unfolding event. By the time you get to the final reveal, you’ll be reaching for a cigarette regardless of whether you ever smoked.  7. Sexy Beast (2000) Though strangely conventional by director Jonathan Glazer’s standards, Sexy Beast is rather unconventional by those of the heist movie. The heist itself occurs at the very end of the film and is a remarkably low-tech affair that accentuates the brutality of its perpetrators rather than trying to wow you with their criminal cleverness. The bulk of the movie instead focuses on Gal: a former safecracker who receives an unwelcome visit from an old accomplice named Don Logan, who is determined to get him to pull off one last job.  As Don Logan, Sir Ben Kingsley delivers one of the greatest and most terrifying performances in the history of crime cinema. If anything, “in the history of crime cinema” is a superfluous qualifier that limits the scale of what he achieves in a taut 89-minute thriller. If you can look past Kingsley’s magnetic madness, you’ll find a quieter, slightly surreal film that gives the pull of the underworld a physical form and grapples with the horror of the idea that you’ve already made the decision that will define your life.  6. Jackie Brown (1997) Jackie Brown is an airline stewardess who has just been caught smuggling cash for her gun-running employer. Her employer wants her dead, and the DEA wants her to cooperate. However, Jackie forms a bold plan to escape prosecution, steal her employer’s money, and cash out on the bad hand that life has dealt her.  Time is almost always a factor in heist movies. Crews are forced to race against the clock before the cops show up and the game is over. And while there is a time-sensitive plan to steal $500,000 in Jackie Brown, most of our characters are racing against time itself. In this brilliant thriller anchored by career-best performances from Pam Grier and Robert Forster, the only thing scarier than getting caught is realizing that you missed your shot. Due respect to Inglourious Basterds, but this character-driven heist thriller adapted from an Elmore Leonard novel may be Quentin Tarantino’s real masterpiece.  5. Le Cercle Rouge (1970) In this Jean-Pierre Melville classic, three men at the end of their ropes find their way into each other’s lives just in time to pull off a spectacular jewelry heist. The setup may seem familiar to fans of the genre, but Melville is less interested in subverting the genre than he is in gathering and sharing every ounce of cinematic majesty that can be mined from that concept.  And unlike the film’s protagonists, we’re all left richer at the end of the experience. Le Cercle Rouge is perhaps the most visually striking heist movie ever made and one of Melville’s great stylistic achievements. The minimalist dialog allows us to lose ourselves in this tour of wonderfully imagined noir locales guided by some of the most cinematically cool, but morally empty, criminals you’ll spend time with on either side of the screen.  4. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) After directing some of the greatest noir and adventure films ever made, John Huston decided to combine both styles in a crime movie that proved to be one of the foundational pieces of the entire heist genre. And while you could argue that any movie that combines John Huston in his prime, a young Marilyn Monroe, and the incomparable Sterling Hayden is bound to be at least entertaining, The Asphalt Jungle offers so much more than the pure wattage of its star power.  This story of criminals all trying to claim their piece of the perfect plan is wonderfully sweaty in the ways that only the best noirs from this era are. Desperate crooks gather in smoky backrooms to discuss the upcoming job with a kind of blue-collar professionalism that exhibits their casualness without underselling the scope of what they are about to do. While it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that things don’t go according to plan (it was 1950, after all), the way Houston empathizes and celebrates these criminals set us on the path for the next 75 years of filmmaking in the heist genre and far beyond. 3. Heat (1995) Does any line summarize the heist genre as well as “don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner”? While Michael Mann showcased his crime story credentials in his brilliant debut feature film, Thief, there are very good reasons why Heat is often thought of as the director’s definitive crime film.  Like the best heist crews, Heat features an all-star cast doing what they do best in almost perfect unison. While this movie is rightfully remembered for its breathtaking bank robbery shootout (perhaps the best shootout ever put on film), the many, many rewatches of this movie we’ve all enjoyed often reveal something equally incredible during those quieter moments. Heat may benefit from the gruff hyper-masculine coolness seen in the best David Mamet works, but it’s ultimately a story of professionals struggling to deal with how much of themselves they can leave behind.  2. Rififi (1955) Made by blacklisted director Jules Dassin during his exile to France, Rififi exhibits that seemingly impossible blend of rage and craft that Dassin himself seemingly possessed at that unique time in his life. It may not be the first heist movie, but nearly every heist film that follows owes a debt to the way it balanced “the job” with what happens next.  Rififi’s stunning heist sequence (which is shot in real time and presented without dialogue) is conceptually brilliant and actually seems to go off without much of a hitch. The problems come later when the heist crew tries to work together in the world as they did on the job. Rififi explores the curse of sudden fortune by showing how money can not alter the paths that led to these men doing something so desperate in the first place.  1. Ocean’s Eleven (2001) Many of the best heist movies ultimately deal with the futility and tragedy of crime. That’s understandable and morally responsible. However, we are also often attracted to heist movies because they are so damn cool. And while there are many cool criminals and crews in the wide world of heist films, no heist film is cooler than Ocean’s Eleven.  Steven Soderbergh’s story of a man named Danny Ocean, who is assembling the perfect heist crew after being paroled, is one of the most relentlessly entertaining movies ever made. Perfectly paced, gorgeously shot, and loaded with incredible performances, it’s even somehow cooler than the 1960 original that starred the Rat Pack. It rightfully remains the go-to option for millions who simply want to enjoy the art of the heist. 

When it comes to designing our homes, one of the most common struggles seems to be walking the line between decorating (and renovating) for yourself and decorating for resale value. As the editor of Country Living, I hear it from readers all the time, and I’ve experienced it while tackling my own design projects. It makes sense, of course. Buying a home is a huge financial commitment, and of course you want to maximize the return on your investment. However, in a world that feels increasingly homogenized, it’s more important than ever that our homes feel like our personal sanctuaries, not soulless white boxes waiting for someone else to make their mark. After all, it’s why more and more people are gravitating toward antiques, incorporating color, and embracing wallpaper everywhere from the kitchen to the bathroom. Laurey W. GlennCobalt blue cabinetry? Radish-print fabric? Lattice wallpaper? For designer Lizzie Cox that’s a yes, yes, and yes.If you’ve found yourself here, you’ve also likely found yourself debating going with your gut and playing it “safe,” and we’re here to tell you not to overthink it. Here are just a few reasons to throw caution to the wind and wallpaper that powder room already. You’ll probably be there longer than you think.Research shows buyers often remain in their houses for longer than anticipated. According to Zillow, the average homeowner reported living in their home for 12 years before selling in 2024. Twelve years is a long time to worry about what a future homebuyer will think of your shower tile. (For what it’s worth, I still regret playing it safe on the tile front.) Matthew KisidayA botanical-print powder room by Kendall Rabun Interiors beautifully lives in the moment.Color and pattern can be good for you.“There’s a lot of research on how colorful spaces can influence well-being for the better,” says designer Ingrid Fetell Lee, who even wrote a book on how color, among many other things, can lift spirits. Why deprive yourself of that joy on a daily basis? Country Living Home & Style Editor Anna Logan agrees: “The mood-boosting power of ‘Dopamine Decorating’ is a very real thing.” Bonus: Color and pattern can also have a similar uplifting affect on home buyers who may feel tired of looking at houses that all feel cut from the same proverbial cloth.If you do want to make bold choices with resale in mind, Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, says to consider keeping the common areas of your home relatively neutral and adding personality to the private spaces. Zillow’s latest paint color analysis finds buyers are more willing to tolerate dramatic paint colors in the bedroom or bathroom, as opposed to the living room or kitchen.David Tsay for Country LivingA quilted tile motif in the shower can be even more invigorating than your peppermint body wash.Even “safe” choices can wind up feeling dated.Take, for example, the ubiquitous modern farmhouse look. It is not particularly flashy, but there’s already some backlash over gray hardwood floors and black window sashes, which could ultimately be more off-putting to a buyer than, say, a chintzy cabbage rose wallcovering or yellow kitchen cabinets. Similarly, granite kitchen countertops probably seemed like the safe pick at the time, but many home buyers now prefer quartz or soapstone. In other words, it can be hard to suss out what has staying power, so you may as well live with what you love as long as you’re there. Max Kim-Bee for Country LivingOur homes—like this one by Madcap Cottage—should be living scrapbooks, not blank notebooks.Personality may help your house stand out.“After spending so much time confined to one environment during the pandemic, I think people began to realize how important color and variety are in their surroundings,” says Ingrid. Amanda echoes that sentiment, “The pandemic changed home preferences. As we all spent so much time in our homes, we became a lot more attuned to how we want to use our homes. As a result, we’ve seen that buyers are increasingly looking for homes that reflect their personal tastes and lifestyles. Homes with unique and personalized features command higher sale prices, even if those homes take slightly longer to sell.” While Amanda notes these features may not appeal to every buyer (see: putting greens!), those who value them are willing to pay more to get them. Stacy Zarin GoldbergSomeday, someone’s going to buy this Molly Singer-designed house precisely for that gingham ceiling.It makes your home more memorable.“I often encourage people to think about a space in terms of moments, not stuff,” says Ingrid. “When you look back at this time in your life, how do you want to picture those memories? Think about how much the color might boost your mood or make others smile. Then add that up, moment by moment, over the years you’ll live in that space. If you think about it as just a pretty tile [or wallpaper or cabinet color...], it might seem frivolous, but if you think about starting your day on a positive note, every day for years, that’s a lot more meaningful.”That concept of memory-making was top of mind when Country Living Design Director Maribeth Jones embarked on the renovation of her own Birmingham, Alabama, kitchen. Although she says she encountered her fair share of skeptics when she decided to go all in on sunny yellow cabinetry and William Morris wallcovering, she remained true to her vision. Becky StaynerWhen it comes to lasting impressions, a cookie-cutter cook space can’t compete with Maribeth Jones’ sunny-disposition kitchen.“It’s important to remember that your home is for you—your comfort, your needs, your enjoyment. Despite the naysayers, all I could think of was our daughter Ruby turning to her little sister Florence someday and saying, “Remember the kitchen when we were little girls? The one with the yellow cabinets, checkered floors, and lemons on the wall?” And of course, she will. Related StoriesRachel Hardage BarrettRachel Hardage Barrett has written for and edited lifestyle publications for more than 20 years. As the editor-in-chief of Country Living, she has covered all things related to country life—including design, gardening, food, travel, antiques, crafts, and country pop culture—for more than a decade. Before Country Living, Rachel spent several years at Southern Living, where she served as Executive Editor covering travel, food, style, and features. Before Southern Living, Rachel was the Special Projects Director of Real Simple, where she wrote and oversaw books and special issues about food, travel, weddings, organizing, and parenting in addition to working on international editions and licensed products. Before working at lifestyle brands, Rachel started her magazine career at Glamour, where she wrote and edited relationship articles, celebrity interviews, as well as fashion and features content. When she’s not working on the magazine, she can likely be found poking around an antiques shop, perusing country real estate listings, or dreaming of opening a general store.

Ranch-style homes are one of the most iconic residential architectural styles in the United States. Known for their single-story layouts, open interiors, and connection to the outdoors, ranch homes rose to popularity in the mid-20th century across suburbia and remain a go-to for homeowners seeking simplicity, accessibility, and affordability. Looking to decide whether or not a ranch-style house is right for you? Here's everything you need to know about the enduring look.Related StoriesThe History of Ranch-Style ArchitectureGeorge Marks/WO CR//Getty ImagesRanch homes originated in the early 20th century, evolving from California's Spanish Revival–style architecture, which largely featured low-profile structures with indoor-outdoor living that was well-suited to warm climates. San Diego-born architect Cliff May is often credited as the father of the modern ranch house—he was inspired by the adobe ranch houses in which he grew up."I rebelled against the boxy houses being built then,'' However, it wasn’t until the post-World War II housing boom that ranch homes truly took off. As American families moved to the suburbs in the 1940s and 1950s, the ranch became the go-to style for its affordability and practicality. By 1950, ranch houses accounted for nine out of ten new homes in the United States. While their popularity dipped in the late 20th century in favor of two-story houses, ranch-style homes have seen a recent revival thanks to their renovation potential and accessibility.Ranch-Style Home LayoutsAt the heart of ranch-style architecture is the single-story floor plan, which is typically rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped. The living room, dining area, and kitchen often form an open-concept core, usually centered around a large picture window or sliding glass door that opens to an outdoor space, such as a patio or backyard. Bedrooms are normally grouped on one side of the home for privacy, while attached garages or carports are placed on the other. Though the hallmark of the ranch style is a single main floor, some ranch homes include split-level elements—also known as a raised ranch—which incorporate a mid-level landing with a half-staircase leading to the main "upper" floor and a more private basement level, where the bedrooms are often found.Design Characteristics of Ranch-Style HomesYellow Dog Productions//Getty ImagesBeyond boasting a single main story, ranch-style homes have several other common traits, including:Low-Pitched RoofsLow roofs are a classic sign of ranch-style homes, and they won't feature any prominent peaks or dormer windows, whether ornamental or functional. Oversized WindowsProminent windows are a hallmark of ranch-style homes. Many will feature oversized bay or picture windows throughout the exterior, especially on the front of the home. Indoor-Outdoor FlowBecause ranch-style homes place a large emphasis on the connection between indoors and outdoors, you'll often find these homes have expansive sliding glass doors that lead to patios or backyards.Attached GaragesNo schlepping in groceries in the rain, here! Ranch-style homes almost always feature garages or carports that are integrated into the home's footprint, often located on either side of the house.Minimal OrnamentationRanch-style homes rose to popularity during a time of simplicity, and their focus on form reflects that. Exteriors are designed without frills or extra ornamentation, while the interiors focus on horizontal lines, simple trim, and modest finishes. How much do ranch-style homes cost?Peter Gridley//Getty ImagesThe cost of an existing ranch-style home varies significantly depending on location, size, and condition. A fixer-upper in a more rural location, for instance, will be much cheaper than a renovated ranch in a suburb outside a major city. To get a feel for the cost in your area, use a real estate site like Zillow or Realtor.com and filter by "single-story homes."Cost of a Renovation on a Ranch-Style HomeIf you plan on buying a ranch home that needs a little love, be prepared for potentially high renovation costs. Older ranches built in the mid-century might need substantial updates for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and kitchen appliances. Beyond that, you'll also looking at possible cosmetic upgrades or layout changes, as well as mitigating any now-dangerous relics of the time, like asbestos tile. Expect a renovation to cost tens of thousands of dollars or more.Cost of Building a New Ranch-Style HomeAs with existing ranch-style homes, the cost of building a new ranch-style home varies. Larger homes, of course, will cost more than smaller ones—pouring foundations is often a major expense in new builds, so houses with a large footprint will cost more right off the bat. Choosing luxury finishes over simpler ones will also increase the cost of your build. According to HomeAdvisor, the cost of building a new ranch-style house typically ranges from $150,000 to $200,000.Are ranch-style homes a good value?The overall value of any home depends on variables like location, size, and how well the structure has been maintained or modernized. That said, ranch homes offer many advantages that boost their resale value and long-term appeal. One of the biggest is their accessibility—with everything on one level, ranch homes are ideal for buyers seeking aging-in-place options or step-free living. That means buyers might range from young families to retirees. Ranches are also ideal for those looking for indoor-outdoor living, as most include substantial outdoor space. At the end of the day, you'll want to buy the home that works best for you—don't focus too much on resale value!Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Apr 25, 2025Ravie LakshmananVulnerability / Enterprise Security Threat actors are likely exploiting a new vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver to upload JSP web shells with the goal of facilitating unauthorized file uploads and code execution. "The exploitation is likely tied to either a previously disclosed vulnerability like CVE-2017-9844 or an unreported remote file inclusion (RFI) issue," ReliaQuest said in a report published this week. The cybersecurity said the possibility of a zero-day stems from the fact that several of the impacted systems were already running the latest patches. The flaw is assessed to be rooted in the "/developmentserver/metadatauploader" endpoint in the NetWeaver environment, enabling unknown threat actors to upload malicious JSP-based web shells in the "servlet_jsp/irj/root/" path for persistent remote access and deliver additional payloads. Put differently, the lightweight JSP web shell is configured to upload unauthorized files, enable entrenched control over the infected hosts, execute remote code, and siphon sensitive data. Select incidents have been observed using the Brute Ratel C4 post-exploitation framework, as well as a well-known technique called Heaven's Gate to bypass endpoint protections. At least in one case, the threat actors took several days to progress from successful initial access to follow-on exploitation, raising the possibility that the attacker may be an initial access broker (IAB) that's obtaining and selling access to other threat groups on underground forums. "Our investigation revealed a troubling pattern, suggesting that adversaries are leveraging a known exploit and pairing it with a mix of evolving techniques to maximize their impact," ReliaQuest said. "SAP solutions are often used by government agencies and enterprises, making them high-value targets for attackers. As SAP solutions are often deployed on-premises, security measures for these systems are left to users; updates and patches that are not applied promptly are likely to expose these systems to greater risk of compromise." Coincidentally, SAP has also released an update to address a maximum severity security flaw (CVE-2025-31324, CVSS score: 10.0) that an attacker could exploit to upload arbitrary files. "SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Metadata Uploader is not protected with a proper authorization, allowing an unauthenticated agent to upload potentially malicious executable binaries that could severely harm the host system," an advisory for the vulnerability reads. It's likely that CVE-2025-31324 refers to the same unreported security defect given that the former also affects the metadata uploader component. The disclosure comes a little over a month after the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warned of active exploitation of another high-severity NetWeaver flaw (CVE-2017-12637) that could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive SAP configuration files. Update ReliaQuest has confirmed to The Hacker News that the malicious activity detailed above is indeed leveraging a new security vulnerability that's now being tracked as CVE-2025-31324. "This vulnerability, which we identified during our investigation published on April 22, 2025, was initially suspected to be a remote file inclusion (RFI) issue," the company said. "However, SAP later confirmed it as an unrestricted file upload vulnerability, allowing attackers to upload malicious files directly to the system without authorization." (The story was updated after publication to confirm the exploitation of a new zero-day flaw.) Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter  and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post. SHARE    

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorApril 25, 20255 Min ReadArtemisDiana via Alamy Stock PhotoPlatform engineering is a discipline that's designed to improve software developer productivity, application cycle time, and speed to market by providing common, reusable tools and capabilities via an internal developer platform. The platform creates a bridge between developers and infrastructure, speeding complex tasks that would normally be challenging, and perhaps even impossible, for individual developers to manage independently. Platform engineering is also the practice of building and maintaining an internal developer platform that provides a set of tools and services to help development teams build, test, and deploy software more efficiently, explains Brett Smith, a distinguished software developer with analytics software and services firm SAS, in an online interview. "Ideally, the platform is self-service, freeing the team to focus on updates and improvements." Platform engineering advocates the continuous application of practices that provide an improved, more productive developer experience by delivering tools and capabilities to standardize the software development process and make it more efficient, says Faruk Muratovic, engineering leader at Deloitte Consulting, in an online interview. A core platform engineering component is a cloud-native services catalog that allows development teams to seamlessly provision infrastructure, configure pipelines, and integrate DevOps tooling, Muratovic says. "With platform engineering, development teams are empowered to create a development environment that optimizes performance and drives successful deployment." Related:A Helping Hand Platform engineering significantly improves development team productivity by streamlining workflows, automating tasks, and removing infrastructure-related obstacles, observes Vinod Chavan, cloud platform engineering services leader at IBM Consulting. "By reducing manual effort in deploying and managing applications, developers can focus on writing code and innovating rather than managing infrastructure," he notes in an email interview. Process automation and standardization minimizes human error and enhances consistency and speed across the development lifecycle, Muratovic says. Additionally, by providing self-service development models, platform engineering significantly reduces dependency on traditional IT services teams since it allows full-stack product pods to deploy and manage their own environments, he adds. Embedded monitoring, security, and compliance policies ensure that enterprise policies are followed without adding overhead, Muratovic says. "Platform engineering also supports Infrastructure as a Code (IaC) capabilities, which provide development teams with pre-configured networking, storage, compute, and CI/CD (continuous integration/continuous delivery) pipelines." Related:An often-overlooked platform engineering benefit is regular tool updates, Smith notes. Enterprise Benefits Platform engineering gives enterprises the structure and automation needed to scale efficiently while lowering costs and strengthening operational resilience, Chavan says. "By eliminating inefficiencies and reducing manual labor, it optimizes resource usage and enables business growth without unnecessary complexity or costs." He adds that by providing a stable environment that can support the seamless integration of advanced tools, platform engineering can also play a key role in helping organizations leverage AI and other emerging technologies. Platform engineering can reduce operational friction, increase monitoring ability, and enhance flexibility when deploying workloads into hybrid cloud environments. "Overhead costs can be reduced by automating repetitive, manual tasks, and access controls and compliance protocols can be standardized," Muratovic says. Related:By taking advantage of reusable platform services, such as API gateways, monitoring, orchestration, and shared authentication, platform engineering can also build a strong foundation for application and systems scalability. "Additionally, organizations that develop product-oriented and cloud-first models can pre-define reference architectures and develop best practices to encourage adoption and enhance system reliability and security," Muratovic says. A centralized and structured platform also helps organizations strengthen security and compliance by providing better visibility into infrastructure, applications and workflows, Chavan says. "With real-time monitoring and automated governance, businesses can quickly detect risks, address security issues before they escalate, and stay up to date with evolving compliance regulations." Potential Pitfalls When building a platform, a common pitfall is creating a system that's too complex and doesn't address the specific problems facing development and operations teams, Chavan says. Additionally, failing to build strong governance and oversight can also lead to control issues, which can lead to security or compliance problems. Muratovic warns against over-engineering and failing to align with developer culture. "Over-engineering is simply creating systems that are too complex for the problems they were intended to solve, which increases maintenance costs and slows productivity -- both of which can erode value," he says. "Also, if the shift to platform engineering isn't aligned with developer needs, developers may become resistant to the effort, which can significantly delay adoption." Another pitfall is overly rigid implementation. "It's crucial to find a balance between standardization across the enterprise and providing too many choices for developers," Muratovic says. "Too much rigidity and developers won’t like the experience; too much flexibility leads to chaos and inefficiency." Final Thoughts Platform engineering isn't just about the technology, Chavan observes. It's also about creating a collaborative and continuously improving work culture. "By equipping developers and operators with the right tools and well-designed processes, organizations can streamline workflows and increase space for innovation." Platform engineering isn’t simply about technology; its value lies in creating a development operating model that empowers developers while aligning with business needs, Muratovic says. He believes that the discipline will constantly evolve as needs and goals change, so it's crucial to create a culture of openness and collaboration between platform engineers, operations teams, and developers. Muratovic notes that by focusing on the developer experience -- particularly self-service, automation, governance, compliance, and security -- platform engineering can provide organizations with a flexible, scalable, resilient ecosystem that fuels the agility and innovation that drives sustained growth. "Platform engineering is how you herd the cats, eliminate the unicorns, and eradicate the chaos from your software supply chain," Smith concludes. About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Chief Digital & Technology Officer (Fashion / DTC / AI)Location: Warsaw, Poland (relocation required – up to 30% remote from the US possible)Company: Leading European fashion & lifestyle brandSeniority: Executive | Board-level | Reporting to the CEOAbout the RoleWe’re looking for a future-minded Chief Digital & Technology Officer (CDTO) with strong experience in e-commerce and applied AI, to lead our brand’s digital evolution across global markets. You’ll take ownership of our digital strategy, lead cross-functional teams, and directly shape the customer journey for millions of users across Europe and beyond. This role is based in Warsaw, Poland – ranked among Europe’s Top 3 cities with the highest development potential, known for its dynamic startup scene, excellent food & nightlife, and global-minded talent. We offer relocation support and up to 30% remote work flexibility from the US after onboarding. What You’ll Do• Define and execute a digital & tech strategy integrating AI, e-commerce, and data intelligence.• Lead tech, product, data, CRM and martech teams.• Drive AI-powered commerce (recommendations, personalization, predictive pricing, CDPs).• Optimize DTC platforms and omnichannel growth across multiple markets.• Build the technology and analytics capabilities for the next growth chapter.• Hire, lead and inspire top-tier digital talent.• Collaborate directly with the CEO and board on strategic initiatives.What You Bring• 10+ years in digital, e-commerce, or technology leadership roles.• Proven experience in fashion/lifestyle/ecomm/retail-tech environments.• Demonstrated use of AI/ML in e-commerce or marketing (recommendation engines, AI search, data models).• Familiarity with headless commerce, MACH architecture, CDPs, cloud stacks.• Strong business and customer orientation.• International mindset and readiness to live and work in Warsaw.• English required; Polish is a plus but not mandatory.What We Offer• Annual gross compensation: €200,000–€250,000 / $220,000–$250,000.• Performance bonuses and long-term incentives.• Relocation package to Warsaw (support with visa, housing, soft landing).• Up to 30% remote work from the US post-relocation.• Real influence at executive level.• Ambitious team, global brand expansion.• Work in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, with a world-class food scene, cultural depth, and green spaces.Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now Meet JobCopilot: Your Personal AI Job HunterAutomatically Apply to Remote Product JobsJust set your preferences and Job Copilot will do the rest-finding, filtering, and applying while you focus on what matters. Activate JobCopilot