Yes, the towers still exist and zones cannot be entered in the app (yet). The map can be divided into rooms and I can say which rooms should be cleaned. However, even after about 3 months, it still happens that the stupid critters get lost from time to time. That's why I prefer to close a door when it's not supposed to go somewhere.
In automatic mode, it is supposed to go through several times in very dirty places. I let it run like this. I think you could also let it go through everywhere once. Chairs, tables and other obstacles are the most time-consuming. I think that works quite well. However, the number of obstacles has a big influence on how quickly an area is cleaned.
For our flat (approx. 90m^2) with a few obstacles it takes approx. 3h. Of the 3h, it spends a little less than 1h charging and a little more than 2h cleaning. The little one recharges automatically before it runs out of juice.

Keep-out zones are possible with the latest software (3.0.11).
My i7 can cover 108 square metres in one battery charge. As far as I know, it moves a little more efficiently than the 980.