Saturday, February 29, 2020

Online Altruists Are Making Reddit More Accessible

To help Redditors with visual impairments, volunteers are writing elaborate transcriptions of memes and images across the site. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/online-altruists-are-making-reddit-more-accessible

Space Photos of the Week: Venus Is the Spacecraft-Killer

One of NASA's proposed missions would send a spacecraft to Venus on a suicide mission in order to study its atmosphere.

source https://www.wired.com/story/space-photos-of-the-week-venus-is-the-spacecraft-killer

Joanna Russ Was Sci-Fi's Most Outspoken Feminist

The 20th century author was also a formidable science fiction critic.

source https://www.wired.com/2020/02/geeks-guide-joanna-russ

Clearview AI's Massive Client List Got Hacked

Clever malware, student surveillance, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/clearview-ai-client-list-cerberus-malware-security-news

I Used to Love Cars. Here's What Drove Me Away

After two decades of working in and researching the auto industry, I realized it was time to give up the driver's seat.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-i-used-to-love-cars-heres-what-drove-me-away

10 Best Cheap Laptops Under $800 (2020): Lenovo, Acer, and More

We tested lots of affordable Windows laptops, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1 tablets. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good notebook.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-cheap-laptops

Think Ride Sharing Is Good for the Planet? Not So Fast

Despite hopes that ride hailing would ease traffic and reduce carbon emissions, a new study finds that it's actually driving them upward.

source https://www.wired.com/story/think-ride-sharing-is-good-for-the-planet-not-so-fast

The Feds Ban a Self-Driving Shuttle Fleet From Carrying People

Regulators have been hands-off on autonomous vehicles, even after deaths and injuries. But they acted quickly after a woman was hurt in Columbus this week. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/feds-ban-self-driving-shuttle-fleet-carrying-people

15 Best Weekend Deals: 'The Witcher 3', Pixel 3a, Roomba S9+

Having you been scoping out a new mattress or a Nintendo Switch game? It's Leap Day, and there are a lot of great sales going on.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-feb-29-2020

Being Happy at Work Is Simply Not Enough

That anxiety has spawned an onslaught of books: Some try to convince you that your job can get better, while others argue that the machines will simply take them all away.

source https://www.wired.com/story/being-happy-work-is-simply-not-enough

Friday, February 28, 2020

Amazon Pulled Over 1 Million Items Capitalizing on Coronavirus

The retail giant says it penalizes sellers who violate its policies, but some merchants say enforcement seems haphazard.  

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-pulled-over-1-million-items-coronavirus

More Companies Drop Out of GDC Over Coronavirus Fears

The annual Game Developers Conference is still scheduled to go on as planned, even though companies like Amazon and Blizzard won't be there.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gdc-coronavirus-companies-pull-out

The FCC Fines Wireless Companies for Selling Users' Location Data

The proposed fines—against T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint—total more than $200 million for their role in breaches of privacy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/fcc-fines-wireless-companies-selling-users-location-data

Did a Woman Get Coronavirus Twice? Scientists Are Skeptical

News reports claim that a Japanese patient was reinfected with Covid-19. But there are other possibilities, like a bad test or a flare-up of the original disease.

source https://www.wired.com/story/did-a-woman-get-coronavirus-twice-scientists-are-skeptical

The Long Path out of the Vulnerability Disclosure Dark Ages

Letting a company know about flaws in their products has gotten easier sine 2003—but not by much.

source https://www.wired.com/story/vulnerability-disclosure-bug-bounties

China Removed a Pandemic-Themed Game From Its iOS App Store

*Plague Inc*. saw a spike in popularity around the world following initial reports of the Covid-19 outbreak.

source https://www.wired.com/story/china-removed-a-pandemic-themed-game-from-its-ios-app-store

Dangerzone Lets You Open Email Attachments Safely

Dangerzone takes potentially malicious files and safely sanitizes them for you.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dangerzone-open-email-attachments-safely

Covid-19 Is Traveling Along the New Silk Road 

A striking overlap exists between the path of today's viral spread, and the path the Black Death followed in the 1300s.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-is-traveling-along-the-new-silk-road

Intuit and Credit Karma's $7B Deal Means Bigger Data. Is That Better?

Antitrust regulators say they're interested in data-driven mergers. Now we'll see how serious they are.

source https://www.wired.com/story/big-data-better-deals-intuit-credit-karma

In Naples, Faith Substitutes for What Science Can’t Foresee

Because volcanic eruptions are tricky to predict, some Neapolitans—who are sandwiched between two volcanoes—take solace in Catholic miracles.

source https://www.wired.com/story/naples-religion-science-volcanoes

'Altered Carbon' Got a Season 2 Revamp—and It's Just What the Show Needed

Following a rocky first season, the neo-noir adaptation gets a major sleeve upgrade for Season 2—both in front of the camera, and behind it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/altered-carbon-season-2-improvements

Outdoor Research MicroGravity Jacket Review: A Soft Hard-Shell

This versatile jacket from Outdoor Research uses a special material that makes it great for a variety of conditions and activities.

source https://www.wired.com/review/outdoor-research-microgravity-jacket

Forget Chess—the Real Challenge Is Teaching AI to Play D&D

Some artificial intelligence experts think role playing adventure games will help machines learn to be as clever as we are.

source https://www.wired.com/story/forget-chess-real-challenge-teaching-ai-play-dandd

Gadget Lab Podcast: There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Silicon Valley’s influence over American workplace culture is now complete. Also, we bring you up to date on the latest cybersecurity news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-444

Katherine Johnson’s Math Will Steer NASA Back to the Moon

She mapped Apollo 11’s path to history. Now, her legacy lives on in the trajectories of future spaceflights—including the moon landing planned for 2024.

source https://www.wired.com/story/katherine-johnsons-math-will-steer-nasa-back-to-the-moon

The Sea Is Getting Warmer. Will the Shrimp Get Louder?

The snapping shrimp's claws pop louder than gunshots. Rising temperatures could make them fire  faster—and disrupt their undersea neighbors.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-sea-is-getting-warmer-will-the-shrimp-get-louder

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Review: Nearly Perfect, but Too Pricey

Its size, some camera snags, and an absurd price tag stand in the way of Samsung's phone from reaching magnificence.

source https://www.wired.com/review/samsung-galaxy-s20-ultra

How North Korean Hackers Rob Banks Around the World

They scored $80 million by tricking a network into routing funds to Sri Lanka and the Philippines and then using a "money mule" to pick up the cash.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-north-korea-robs-banks-around-world

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Data Centers Aren't Devouring the Planet's Electricity—Yet

Although servers are crunching six times as much data as in 2010, energy consumption has stayed relatively flat, thanks to improved hardware efficiency.

source https://www.wired.com/story/data-centers-not-devouring-planet-electricity-yet

Glowing Amphibians, Extreme Weather Satellites, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amphibians-glow-goes-satellite-climate-change

Recycled Nuclear Waste Will Power a New Reactor

Last week, the Department of Energy gave a commercial company the green light to test fuel made from spent uranium.

source https://www.wired.com/story/recycled-nuclear-waste-will-power-a-new-reactor

Please, Please, Please Don't Mock Conspiracy Theories

People have a lot of bizarre notions about Covid-19 and the 2020 elections—but if you have to laugh, just do it in private.

source https://www.wired.com/story/please-please-please-dont-mock-conspiracy-theories

Ava DuVernay Is Working On an Adaptation of *Dawn* for Amazon

*Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*'s Victoria Mahoney will reportedly write and direct the adaptation of Octavia E. Butler's sci-fi novel.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ava-duvernay-victoria-mahoney-octavia-butler-dawn

So, Amphibians Glow. Humans Just Couldn't See It—Until Now

Bathe an amphibian in blue light and it glows a brilliant green. But what does it all mean?

source https://www.wired.com/story/amphibians-glow

A Flaw in Billions of Wi-Fi Chips Let Attackers Decrypt Data

Affected devices include iPhones, iPads, Macs, Amazon Echos and Kindles, Android devices, and various Wi-Fi routers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-flaw-in-billions-of-wi-fi-chips-let-attackers-decrypt-data

In California, Which Self-Driving Cars Log the Most Miles?

New reports show autonomous vehicles from 36 companies covered 2.9 million miles in the state last year, up from 2.1 million in 2018.

source https://www.wired.com/story/california-self-driving-cars-log-most-miles

Best Pet Camera (2020): Petcube, Furbo, and More

These cameras let you check up on your dog or cat—and feed them treats—over the internet.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-pet-cameras

The Smithsonian Puts 2.8 Million Images in the Public Domain

The archive includes hi-res images of Muhammad Ali's boxing gear, 15th-century manuscripts, and data that could help surface untold stories of women in science.

source https://www.wired.com/story/smithsonian-puts-2-8-million-images-public-domain

I Used 'Minecraft' to Cope with My Apocalypse Anxiety

A series of mods can transform the building-block game into a new way to explore what the world may look after climate change.

source https://www.wired.com/story/minecraft-mods-climate-change-apocalypse

GOES Extreme Weather–Tracking Satellites Get Ready for Launch

A new array of sats will detect nearly every bolt of lightning in the Western Hemisphere, powering an early warning system for climate-change-fueled superstorms.

source https://www.wired.com/story/goes-extreme-weather-satellites-ready-for-launch

When AI Can’t Replace a Worker, It Watches Them Instead

Whether software that digitizes manual labor makes workers frowny or smiley will come down to how employers choose to use it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/when-ai-cant-replace-worker-watches-them-instead

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The US Has Its First 'Community Spread' Coronavirus Case

The patient was admitted to UC Davis Medical Center on February 19 but not diagnosed until the 23rd—raising concerns about testing capabilities and health care workers’ exposure to the disease.

source https://www.wired.com/story/community-spread-coronavirus

US Coronavirus Prep, a Fatal Tesla Crash Ruling, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid19-coronavirus-us-tesla-autopilot-crash

How a Hacker's Mom Broke Into a Prison—and the Warden's Computer

Security analyst John Strand had a contract to test a correctional facility’s defenses. He sent the best person for the job: his mother.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hackers-mom-broke-into-prison-wardens-computer

How Self-Driving Car Makers Measure Their Own Progress

New reports track how often humans need to take control of autonomous vehicles being tested. That's a lousy way to assess the nascent industry.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-self-driving-car-makers-measure-progress

Toy Fair 2020 Madness: Mega-Pikachu, Beanie Baby Fashion, and More

We had so much fun at Toy Fair 2020 this past weekend, we had to show you some more photos of the zany scene.

source https://www.wired.com/story/toy-fair-2020-outtakes

The Next Generation of Batteries Could Be Built by Viruses

Angela Belcher found a way to turn nature's zombies into a tiny assembly line. But creating a new power cell might be just the beginning.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-next-generation-of-batteries-could-be-built-by-viruses

LG V60 ThinQ Hands On: 8K Video, 5G, and a Second Screen

The phone goes head-to-head with Samsung on new features, but it's still not very compelling.

source https://www.wired.com/story/lg-v60-thinq-hands-on

Ammunition x Gantri Lamp Collection Illuminates 3D Printing's Benefits

The lamp maker Gantri partnered with the Silicon Valley design firm Ammunition to produce a new line of greener lighting products.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ammunition-gantri-lighting

Your Ad Here—Uber Moves Into Car-Top Digital Billboards

Uber's ad program gives drivers a chance to earn more—and gives the ride-hailing company a new revenue stream as it struggles to become profitable.

source https://www.wired.com/story/your-ad-here-uber-car-top-digital-billboards

The Perma-Viral World of the At-Home Nose Job

Nonsurgical cosmetic methods, like nose and face shapers, are all over social media as users chase the perfect selfie—but these rituals are nothing new.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nose-face-shapers-social-media

Lights\! Camera\! Meeting\! Video Conferencing Gets a Makeover

Companies like Zoom and Microsoft are trying to make the remote connections more real—and fun. Trouble is, humans are awkward.

source https://www.wired.com/story/video-conferencing-gets-makeover

Chinese Hospitals Deploy AI to Help Diagnose Covid-19

Software that reads CT lung scans had primarily been used to detect cancer. Now, it's been retooled to look for signs of pneumonia caused by coronavirus.

source https://www.wired.com/story/chinese-hospitals-deploy-ai-help-diagnose-covid-19

The Secret to Enjoying Nature Is … Your Phone

I was spending way too much time staring at outdoorsy influencers on Instagram. So I downloaded the iNaturalist app—and stepped outside myself.

source https://www.wired.com/story/inaturalist-app-disconnection

This Clever Robotic Finger Feels With Light

The nerves in human fingertips are great at sensing things. For robots, learning to touch is more complicated.

source https://www.wired.com/story/this-clever-robotic-finger-feels-with-light

WIRED's 13 Must-Read Books for Spring

Spring is a time of renewal—and the best way to renew your fritzed brain is with new books about robots, hackers, and our fraught digital lives.

source https://www.wired.com/story/2020-spring-book-list

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

A Safety Board Faults Tesla and Regulators in a Fatal 2018 Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board says the automaker should restrict use of its Autopilot feature and better detect when drivers are paying attention.

source https://www.wired.com/story/safety-board-faults-tesla-regulators-fatal-2018-crash

Covid-19 Will Mark the End of Affluence Politics

The possibility of a global pandemic will reveal our inability to make and distribute the things people need—just in time for a presidential election.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-will-mark-the-end-of-affluence-politics

How to Watch Tonight's Democratic Debate in South Carolina

It’s the last time candidates will meet on the debate stage before Saturday's South Carolina primary, as well as Super Tuesday.

source https://www.wired.com/story/watch-democratic-debate-south-carolina-2020

Covid-19 and Surging Face Mask Prices, GIF vs. JIF, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid19-coronavirus-masks-amazon-gif-jif

Could the US Contain a Coronavirus Outbreak?

The World Health Organization has urged other nations to learn from China's handling of the Covid-19 epidemic. But would an aggressive quarantine work here?

source https://www.wired.com/story/could-the-us-contain-a-coronavirus-outbreak

Gmail Is Catching More Malicious Attachments With Deep Learning

Gmail users get 300 billion attachments each week. To separate legitimate documents from harmful ones, Google turned to AI—and it’s working.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gmail-catching-more-malicious-attachments-deep-learning

As Covid-19 Spreads, Amazon Tries to Curb Mask Price Gouging

Sellers report receiving messages from the company that their face masks are too expensive, while users on Amazon's forum debate the ethics of raising prices during emergencies. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-amazon-curb-face-mask-price-gouging

Best iPhone (2020): Which Model Should You Actually Buy?

Picking the right iPhone can be tricky, but this breakdown should help you decide if you want an iPhone 11 or an iPhone XR.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/iphone-buying-guide

Will Your Cat Eat Your Corpse?

The short answer is maybe. The long answer won't make you feel any better.

source https://www.wired.com/story/will-your-cat-eat-your-corpse

Let's Have the GIF Pronunciation Debate Forever

Giphy and peanut butter brand Jif are reigniting the argument over the pronunciation of “GIF.” It's exactly what the internet needs right now.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-great-debate-gif-jif

Can a Single Text Really Be Defamatory? (Yup)

As the recent lawsuit between Kesha and Dr. Luke proves, your texts can get you in trouble.

source https://www.wired.com/story/kesha-dr-luke-defamation-tech

Best of Toy Fair (2020): Baby Yoda, ASMR for Kids, and More

We played with tons of gizmos at the annual trade show (for, uh, work reasons of course).

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-of-toy-fair-2020

Nintendo Cracks Down After High-Profile Leaks

With the highly anticipated *Animal Crossing: New Horizons* and E3 on the horizon, Nintendo has become “increasingly aggressive” combating leaks over the last couple of months.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nintendo-leaks-crack-down-animal-crossing-e3

North Korea Is Recycling Mac Malware. That's Not the Worst Part

Lazarus Group hackers have long plagued the internet—using at least one tool they picked up just by looking around online.

source https://www.wired.com/story/malware-reuse-north-korea-lazarus-group

Parenting After the Singularity in Ken Liu’s 'The Hidden Girl'

The author’s collection of speculative short fiction skips across worlds both real and ethereal, often coming back to the parent-child dyad.

source https://www.wired.com/story/book-review-hidden-girl-ken-liu

How to Use Airtable, Trello, and Other Apps to Fix Your Life

WIRED staffers on using Airtable for wedding planning, hacking Google Sheets to make playlists, and furthering their career goals on a dating app. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-use-airtable-trello-other-apps-fix-your-life

Monday, February 24, 2020

Katherine Johnson Dies, Russia Sows Election Chaos, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/katherine-johnson-hidden-figures-russia-bernie-sanders-trump

Artists Explore the Many Uncanny Valleys of Tech Work

From San Francisco's de Young Museum to the pages of a new wave of memoirs, the creative class grapples with the role of human labor in the tech industry.

source https://www.wired.com/story/artists-explore-many-uncanny-valleys-tech-work

Coronavirus May Disrupt the 2020 Election. We Need a Plan

Quarantines and fear could decimate voter turnout. Congress needs to fund mail-in ballots nationwide now.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-coronavirus-may-disrupt-the-2020-election-we-need-a-plan

Silicon Valley Ruined Work Culture Everywhere

Why does every damn place—even old-school corporate offices—have to be fun and full of foosball?

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-silicon-valley-ruined-work-culture

Xbox Series X Details: Features, Processor, and More

Microsoft shed a little light on its next-generation console, including the ability to suspend and quickly resume multiple games at once. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/xbox-series-x-specs-features-processor

Sandra Oh to Star in Netflix Show from 'Game of Thrones' Creators

It's part of the deal that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss made with the streaming giant.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sandra-oh-netflix-game-of-thrones-creators

Space Photos of the Week: Triton and Io, Here We Come

If approved, these missions will be the first time Neptune's and Jupiter's respective moons see probes dedicated to studying them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/triton-and-io-here-we-come-hopefully

Australia's Bushfires Completely Blasted Through the Models

The wildfires weren't just unprecedented—scientists didn't think such catastrophic conflagrations would happen until the end of this century. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/australias-bushfires

Life Beneath the Deafening Roar of Heathrow's Flight Path

It's loud, but Feltham's residents are more annoyed by the planespotters who storm their town than the aircraft themselves.

source https://www.wired.com/story/heathrow-flight-paths-photo-gallery

12 Best Travel Coffee Mugs: Insulated, Steel, Thermal

From classics like Yeti and Stanley to new tumblers from OtterBox and Snow Peak, here's what will keep your libations piping hot.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-travel-mugs

Astronomy Expands Its Scope From the Heavens to Humans

Every 10 years, astronomers weigh in on the state of their field. For the first time, they're tackling Earth-centric issues like gender bias and diversity. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/astronomy-expands-its-scope-from-the-heavens-to-humans

Locally Grown Is PBS for the Streaming Age

The site's channels are a reminder of the days when cultural events, whether local or international, happened around TV screens.

source https://www.wired.com/story/locally-grown-streaming-public-access

Today's Cartoon: Incremental Disruption

Move fast and buy things.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wired-cartoons-week-28

Sunday, February 23, 2020

The Profound Loneliness of New York Subway Platforms

Natan Dvir's photographs capture commuters inventing new ways to ignore each other.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nyc-subway-photo-gallery

Julian Assange Tops This Week's Internet News Roundup

Also, SpaceX has formed a partnership to send average citizens into orbit.

source https://www.wired.com/story/internet-week-258

A Cruise Ship Quarantine, a Hunt for Cheaters, and More Car News This Week

Plus: A new helicopter ditches the traditional tail rotor for four fans, which could make the devices safer and quieter.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cruise-ship-quarantine-hunt-cheaters-car-news

Embr Wave Review: The End of Thermostat Wars

Too cold or hot at the office? This wearable tricks your brain into thinking your body is at a comfortable temperature.

source https://www.wired.com/review/embr-wave

A Star's Auroras Light the Way to a New Exoplanet

For the first time using this new technique, astronomers have identified an Earth-size planet by observing telltale solar flares.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-stars-auroras-light-the-way-to-a-new-exoplanet

This Technique Uses AI to Fool Other AIs

Changing a single word can alter the way an AI program judges a job applicant or assesses a medical claim. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/technique-uses-ai-fool-other-ais

How to Share Your Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Spotify Accounts the Safe Way

Be generous, but also be safe.

source https://www.wired.com/story/share-online-accounts-without-sharing-password

Saturday, February 22, 2020

A Cobalt Crisis Could Put the Brakes on Electric Car Sales

First it was lithium, now it's cobalt. Factories are churning out as many batteries as possible, and it's creating a bottleneck. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-cobalt-crisis-could-put-the-brakes-on-electric-car-sales

Every Sci-Fi Show Needs Characters Like in 'Years and Years'

The HBO drama has the kind of fleshed-out characters every show should strive for.

source https://www.wired.com/2020/02/geeks-guide-years-and-years

A Tiny Piece of Tape Tricked Teslas Into Speeding Up 50 MPH

An MGM Resorts breach, natural gas ransomware, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-speed-up-adversarial-example-mgm-breach-ransomware

Family Farms Try to Raise a New Cash Cow: Solar Power

A ‘solar sharing’ pilot project in Colorado is testing whether farmers can profit from growing vegetables and harvesting green energy on the same plot.

source https://www.wired.com/story/family-farms-try-to-raise-a-new-cash-cow-solar-power

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus Review: Close to Perfection

11-hours of battery life, upgraded sound, and excellent call quality make these fantastic go-anywhere earbuds.

source https://www.wired.com/review/samsung-galaxy-buds-plus

13 Best Deals This Weekend: AirPods, Roomba, LG TVs, and More

Need new gear? There are a lot of great sales going on, from discounts on the OnePlus 7T to Lenovo laptops.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-feb-22-2020

Bell's New Design Could Make Helicopters Quieter—and Safer

The new aircraft, which ditches the noisy tail rotor for four fans, may also be a step toward electric-powered flight.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bells-design-helicopters-quieter-safer

Friday, February 21, 2020

Russia Doesn't Want Bernie Sanders. It Wants Chaos

The point of Kremlin interference has always been to find democracy’s loose seams, and pull.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bernie-sanders-russia-chaos-2020-election

Sony and Facebook Drop Out of GDC and PAX East Due to Covid-19 Fears

Both companies cite the health of their employees as the main concern.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sony-pax-east-covid-19

Here's Another Chance to Weigh In on the FCC's Net Neutrality Repeal

An appeals court ordered the FCC to seek comments on whether its new regime hurts public safety or low income consumers. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/another-chance-weigh-fcc-net-neutrality-repeal

Wait, Is That Backpack … Floating?

A new pack from HoverGlide looks like magic. But there's a perfectly good physics explanation.

source https://www.wired.com/story/whoa-crazy-levitating-backpack

How Trump Hollowed Out US National Security

Acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell is just the latest in a cascade of temporary or vacant personnel in critical government positions. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/trump-hollowed-out-us-national-security-vacancies-acting

Susan Fowler and the End of the ‘High Performer’ Defense

Plus: Remembering Larry Tesler, the qualities of a successful founder, and the business of houseplant styling.

source https://www.wired.com/story/susan-fowler-end-of-the-high-performer-defense

The Best Snow Gear (2020): Ski Jackets, Goggles, and More

From snowboard bindings to the best balaclava we've ever tested, here is our favorite ski and snowboard equipment.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-ski-and-snowboard-gear

‘Environmental DNA’ Lets Scientists Probe Underwater Life

With the help of a new kind of drone, marine biologists can sequence DNA found in the ocean to reveal what's living in an ecosystem—and what's missing.

source https://www.wired.com/story/environmental-dna-lets-scientists-probe-underwater-life

Gadget Lab Podcast: Inside Textio’s Anti-Bias Bot

Textio CEO Kieran Snyder talks to WIRED about training computers to make human language more inclusive.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-443

Want to Look Inside a Brain? With Transparent Organs, You Can

Using clever chemical wizardry, researchers have made human organs see-through. The dazzling 3D maps could one day lead to organs made in the lab.

source https://www.wired.com/story/transparent-organs

Best MacBooks (2020): Which Model Should You Buy?

MacBook Pro or MacBook Air? Do you need a Touch Bar? Let us help you navigate Apple's laptops.

source https://www.wired.com/story/which-macbook-should-you-buy

Defeated Chess Champ Garry Kasparov Has Made Peace With AI

Twenty-three years after he lost to Deep Blue, Kasparov says people need to work with machines. You have to “nudge the flock of intelligent algorithms.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/defeated-chess-champ-garry-kasparov-made-peace-ai

Companies Are Stealing Influencers' Faces

Fast fashion sellers are using social media stars' images without permission—and there's not much they can do about it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/youtube-instagram-influencers-stolen-faces

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Bezos' $10B Climate Fund, Bluetooth Bugs, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/jeff-bezos-earth-fund-climate-change-bluetooth-hack-medical-devices

The Best Samsung Galaxy S20 Deals (and Which Model to Choose)

Should you buy Samsung’s new Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, or S20 Ultra? Here's what you need to know before you shell out a grand.

source https://www.wired.com/story/samsung-galaxy-s20-deals

Bezos’ Earth Fund Should Invest in These Green Technologies

The world’s richest man committed $10 billion to fighting climate change. We’ve got some ideas about how to spend it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bezos-earth-fund-should-invest-in-these-green-technologies

Jeff Bezos Can Control Earth’s Future With His $10 Billion Pledge

The Amazon CEO’s fund will fundamentally reshape the fight against climate change, whatever Bezos decides to do with it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/jeff-bezos-control-planet-future-10-billion-fund

You Can’t Buy Friends, But Bloomberg Would Like to Rent Yours

The billionaire’s presidential campaign is spending big to get people to push his message to their contacts. It might not work.

source https://www.wired.com/story/you-cant-buy-friends-bloomberg-rent-yours

Jennifer Lawrence Will Play an Astronomer for Netflix

Meanwhile, Reed Hastings is working on a book about the streaming giant. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/jennifer-lawrence-will-play-an-astronomer-for-netflix

HTC Vive Cosmos VR Headsets (2020): Price, Details, Availability

By giving you the ability to easily upgrade your headset using snap-on faceplates, HTC lowers VR's biggest barrier to entry: price.

source https://www.wired.com/story/htc-cosmos-vr-headsets

ILM Used 'Fortnite' Tech to Make Virtual Sets for 'The Mandalorian'

Those beautiful landscapes Baby Yoda played in? They were created on a virtual production platform called StageCraft. Now any director can use it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/fortnite-mandalorian-filmmaking-tech

The 10 Best Portable Coffee Makers: Aeropress, Delter, And More

Whether it's Aeropress, French press, or faux espresso, we've found the best ways to make a great cup of Joe anywhere.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-portable-coffee-makers

Governments Are Clamping Down On Foreign Tech Investments

China, Israel, Russia, and the US are among the many countries blurring the line between prudence and paranoia.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-governments-are-clamping-down-on-foreign-tech-investments

The US Blames Russia's GRU for Sweeping Cyberattacks in Georgia

By calling out Russia for digital assaults on its neighboring country, the US hopes to head off similar efforts at home.

source https://www.wired.com/story/us-blames-russia-gru-sweeping-cyberattacks-georgia

The Best iPad (2020): Which Apple Tablet Should You Buy?

Choosing an iPad is more complicated than it needs to be, but we're here to help with our complete guide to all of Apple's tablets.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-ipad

How a Princess Cruise Became a Coronavirus Catastrophe

The 2,666 passengers signed up for a two-week vacation. They ended up at the heart of a global epidemic.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-a-princess-cruise-became-a-coronavirus-catastrophe

Bluetooth-Related Flaws Threaten Dozens of Medical Devices

Hundreds of smart devices—including pacemakers—are exposed thanks to a series of vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/bluetooth-flaws-ble-internet-of-things-pacemakers

Cities Fighting Climate Woes Hasten 'Green Gentrification'

Seawalls, parks, and elevated buildings can protect against rising tides. But they can also push the price of housing up, and longtime residents out.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cities-fighting-climate-woes-hasten-green-gentrification

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

The Democratic Debate, a New Plan for Student Debt, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/democratic-debates-nevada-student-debt-income-share

How to Watch Tonight's Nevada Democratic Primary Debate  

Six candidates take the stage in Las Vegas tonight, including Mike Bloomberg with his DNC debate debut.

source https://www.wired.com/story/watch-nevada-democratic-debate-2020-primary

The Broadband Industry Is Suing Maine Over a Web Privacy Law

Groups claim the state law, scheduled to take effect in July, violates First Amendment protections and the Supremacy Clause of the constitution.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-broadband-industry-is-suing-maine-over-a-web-privacy-law

Physicists Take Their Closest Look Yet at an Antimatter Atom

Scientists at CERN found a way to trap hydrogen's mirror twin, antihydrogen, long enough to study it in detail for the first time.

source https://www.wired.com/story/physicists-take-their-closest-look-yet-at-an-antimatter-atom

10 Best Subscription Boxes for Kids: Bitsbox, Kiwi Crate, and More

Stressed about shopping for a young'un? Give a gift that keeps on giving.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/gift-subscriptions-for-kids

What If ‘Planetary Alignment’ Really Could Make Brooms Balance?

Celestial bodies aren't the reason broomsticks can stand up on end. If they were, it would unleash gravitational chaos.

source https://www.wired.com/story/be-glad-the-broom-trick-isnt-real

'Beat Saber' Is a VR Workout for People Who Don't Like Exercise

The game turns music and sword-fighting into a hardcore fitness activity.

source https://www.wired.com/story/vr-beat-saber-exercise

Algorithms Were Supposed to Fix the Bail System. They Haven't

A nonprofit group encouraged states to use mathematical formulas to try to eliminate racial inequities. Now, it says the tools have no place in criminal justice.

source https://www.wired.com/story/algorithms-supposed-fix-bail-system-they-havent

How the Pink Princess and the Pink Congo Scam Flourished Online

The pink princess philodendron is the ultimate Instagram plant, with three-digit price tags to match. The following it cultivated was also ripe for deception.

source https://www.wired.com/story/pink-princess-plantfluencers-pink-congo-scam

Do Fans of Cartoon Porn Stars Hate (Real) Women?

The fanbase of Projekt Melody—an anime camgirl and the next step in digital sexuality—may overlap with the more misogynistic corners of the internet.

source https://www.wired.com/story/projekt-melody-anime-porn-stars

Cheap Nanoparticles Pave the Way for Carbon-Neutral Fuel

A new way to produce nanoparticles—which convert carbon dioxide emissions into fuel—may help a niche green-energy technology go mainstream.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cheap-nanoparticles-pave-the-way-for-carbon-neutral-fuel

A Coding School Tuition Model Spreads to 4-Year Colleges

Income share agreements first gained popularity with tech bootcamps. Now some traditional universities are offering the tools as substitutes for student loans.

source https://www.wired.com/story/coding-school-tuition-model-spreads-4-year-colleges

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

YouTube Gaming's Most-Watched Videos Are Dominated by Scams and Cheats

YouTube is littered with bot-driven videos promising big in-game riches—that also try to steal your personal information.

source https://www.wired.com/story/youtube-gaming-scams-cheats-livestreams

New Uber Rules, Bomber-Inspired Jet Design, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/uber-rule-changes-airbus-maverick

New Data Backs Up Details in a Fatal 2018 Tesla Model X Crash

Newly released documents confirm that the driver experienced a glitch multiple times before the deadly crash, though it’s unclear whether he reported it to Tesla.

source https://www.wired.com/story/new-data-backs-up-details-in-a-fatal-2018-tesla-model-x-crash

The Arctic Is Getting Greener. That's Bad News for All of Us

From space and with drones, scientists are watching the Arctic get greener. That's troubling both for the region, and the planet as a whole.

source https://www.wired.com/story/arctic-greening

Wildfire Photographs Are Constant Reminders of Chaos

An upcoming exhibit at the California Museum of Photography showcases the unpredictability of the state's reliable disasters. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/california-wildfires-photo-gallery

Wake Up, Democrats! Memes Matter in the Race to 2020

Winning the White House will require replacing communications directors with social-media-savvy chief content officers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-wake-up-democrats-memes-matter-in-the-race-to-2020

6 Best Trackers (2020): GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular

These are the best Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and cellular clips to ensure that you never lose anything ever again.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-trackers

The Atlantic Ocean's 'Conveyor Belt' Stirs Up a Science Fight

Researchers are debating the best way to monitor the ocean currents that sweep through the Labrador Sea—and may foretell the planet's climate future.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-atlantic-oceans-conveyor-belt-stirs-up-a-science-fight

Uber Changes Its Rules, and Drivers Adjust Their Strategies

In response to a new law, the ride-hail service shows California drivers where a ride would go and how much it would pay. Drivers are learning when to say “No.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/uber-changes-rules-drivers-adjust-strategies

Essential Gear For Keeping Your Workspace Tidy

Whether you toil at home or in an open-plan office, these tools will keep your desk clean and your mind clear.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gerahead-essential-organized-desk-workspace

Angry Nerd: Don't Fall for the Quantum Con

Quantum cryptography is clever and impressive, but companies calling it "unbreakable" and "unhackable" turns me into Shrödinger's sourpuss.

source https://www.wired.com/story/angry-nerd-quantum-encryption-con

Six-Word Sci-Fi: The Next Great Crowdsourced Project

Each month we publish a six-word story—and it could be written by you. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/six-word-sci-fi-next-great-crowdsourced-project

Deliver Us, Lord, From the Startup Life

In the Midwest, Christian entrepreneurs are searching for relief from the corrosive grind of company-building—while some faith leaders preach the gospel of crushing it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/midwest-christian-entrepreneurs-startup-life

AI, the Transcription Economy, and the Future of Work

If you want to understand how technology is changing our job prospects, take a look at the folks who transcribe audio recordings into text.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ai-transcription-economy-future-of-work

Floating Farms May Help Reinvent the World's Food Ecosystems

Thirty-four heifers aboard a stable in Rotterdam harbor are showing that cow buoys might be a sustainable, reliable alternative to our current food system.

source https://www.wired.com/story/floating-farms-global-food-ecosystem

How Technology Explodes the Concept of ‘Generations’

Immense changes show us, year after year, that we are basically the same as ever, just reacting to the curves of life well out of our control.

source https://www.wired.com/story/millennials-genx-technology-explodes-generations

Clean Up Your Act With a Bidet for Any Budget

According to the CDC, the average person leaves a little something behind—0.14 grams of something—when they wipe. There's an appliance for that.

source https://www.wired.com/story/level-up-bidets-any-budget

Streaming Music Doesn't Flow, It Evaporates

Listening to streamed tunes through a smart speaker squeezes the ecstasy out of the experience. There are ways to get it back.

source https://www.wired.com/story/streaming-music-amazon-echo-sound

Hundreds of Millions of PC Components Still Have Hackable Firmware

The lax security of supply chain firmware has been a known concern for years—with precious little progress being made.

source https://www.wired.com/story/firmware-hacks-vulnerable-pc-components-peripherals

Monday, February 17, 2020

A Car ‘Splatometer’ Study Finds Huge Insect Die-Off

Measuring how many bugs fly into car windshields might sound silly. But to scientists predicting an “insect apocalypse,” the numbers are deadly serious. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-car-splatometer-study-finds-huge-insect-die-off

Meet the Sulfur Miners Risking Their Lives Inside a Volcano

Mt. Ijen, on the island of Java, is one of the most dangerous workplaces on Earth.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sulfur-miners-volcano-indonesia

The *Stranger Things* Season 4 Trailer Is Full of Surprises

The Duffer Brothers sent it out with a message signed, “From Russia with love.” 

source https://www.wired.com/story/stranger-things-season-4-trailer-full-of-surprises

How a Street-Smart Supercar Got Ready for the Racetrack

To build an NSX for racing, Acura had to "dumb down" its model by omitting its smartest part: the electric motor.

source https://www.wired.com/story/acura-nsx-street-smart-supercar-racetrack

7 Best Action Cameras (2020): GoPro, DJI, Insta360

Whether you're shredding the slopes or diving the seas, these compact, often waterproof cameras are made for danger.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-action-cameras

The Hottest New Literary Genre Is ‘Doomer Lit’

Stories about climate disaster have entertained us for years. Now, they’re getting more unforgiving and dire.

source https://www.wired.com/story/doomer-lit-climate-fiction

Today's Cartoon: Like Father, Like Son

The worst way to realize you’re turning into your parents.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wired-cartoons-week-27

Qanon Deploys 'Information Warfare' to Influence the 2020 Election

The conspiracy movement lost its online home when 8chan was shut down. Followers migrated to other sites—and have set their sights on the presidential race.

source https://www.wired.com/story/qanon-deploys-information-warfare-influence-2020-election

Wikipedia Is the Last Best Place on the Internet

People used to think the crowdsourced encyclopedia represented all that was wrong with the web. Now it's a beacon of so much that's right.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wikipedia-online-encyclopedia-best-place-internet

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Over 500 Chrome Extensions Secretly Uploaded Private Data

A researcher discovered that hundreds of extensions in the Web Store were part of a long-running malvertising and ad-fraud scheme.

source https://www.wired.com/story/over-500-chrome-extensions-secretly-uploaded-private-data

Airbnb Has Devoured London. Here’s the Data to Prove It

The city has four times more listings than it did four years ago, and many of them violate short-term rental limits. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/airbnb-has-devoured-london-heres-the-data-to-prove-it

Augmented Reality From the Driver's Seat, and More Car News This Week

Plus: Retailers aim to improve delivery performance, and Airbus displays a model of a new blended-wing plane.

source https://www.wired.com/story/augmented-reality-drivers-seat-more-car-news

Shakeups at the Justice Department Top This Week's Internet News Roundup

Roger Stone, Hookers for Jesus—William Barr had a lot to deal with last week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/internet-week-257

Coway Bidetmega 400 Review: A Glorious Way to Clean Your Derrière

Everything is going to hell. You may as well enjoy a sparkling undercarriage.

source https://www.wired.com/review/coway-bidetmega-400

Psychedelic Fiber Offers a New Twist on the Science of Knots 

A stretchy plastic that changes colors as it deforms lets mathematicians and physicists model the stress points of knots, and test which is the strongest. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/psychedelic-fiber-offers-a-new-twist-on-the-science-of-knotsandnbsp

Polaroid Lab Review: Turn Your Smartphone Snaps Into Polaroid Prints

Put Instagram on your walls.

source https://www.wired.com/review/polaroid-lab

Airbus' Blended Wing Maveric Hits the Skies

Starting with the small-scale model 'Maveric', the planemaker says this new design could produce major efficiency gains.

source https://www.wired.com/story/airbus-maveric-blended-wing-jet

How to Enable Dark Mode on All Your Apps and Devices

Give yourself to the dark side. Or at least, your phones. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/set-up-dark-mode-ios-android-windows-macos-apps

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Christina Koch and Jessica Weir: The Stellar Women of the ISS

These astronauts are out of this world and breaking new ground for space science.

source https://www.wired.com/story/space-photos-of-the-week-the-stellar-women-of-the-iss

'Baby Talk' Can Help Kids Learn Language (Oh *Yes* It *Can*\!)

The more ‘parentese’ there is at home, the more likely a child is to have an advanced vocabulary later on. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/baby-talk-can-help-kids-learn-language-oh-yes-it-can

Cults Are Scarier Without Magic

Evil groups, like the one in the movie 'Midsommar,' are more horrifying when they demonstrate the situations people will put themselves in.

source https://www.wired.com/2020/02/geeks-guide-midsommar

The 'Robo Revenge' App Makes It Easy to Sue Robocallers

Mac malware, a Bitcoin mixer, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/robo-revenge-apple-malware-security-news

Insta360 One R Review: A Smarter, Modular Action Camera

The company's latest shooter blends the best of action and 360-degree cameras into one sweet, modular package.

source https://www.wired.com/review/insta360-one-r

Vexed by Missed Deliveries? Data-Savvy Tech Can Help

New services aim to ensure packages reach the right destination, on time, and preferably where someone is there to accept them. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/missed-deliveries-data-savvy-tech-can-help

37 Best Presidents' Day Sales (2020): Mattresses, Kitchenware, Tech

We found the best tech bargains for the long holiday weekend from Apple, Amazon, Fitbit, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/presidents-day-sales-2020

Friday, February 14, 2020

Activision Blizzard Pulled Its Games From Nvidia's Streaming Service

If you were thinking of using the service to check out 'Warcraft III: Reforged,' think again.

source https://www.wired.com/story/activision-blizzard-nvidia-geforce-now

#betterthanENDGAME


Pokémon Home Is Reuniting Joyful Fans With Long-Lost Squirtles

For a generation that grew up on Pokémon, Nintendo's new cloud service is a chance to reconnect with old friends they thought were gone forever.

source https://www.wired.com/story/pokemon-home-reunions-nintendo

The Spectacle of Samsung’s Launch Event

This week, Samsung hosted an event to show off Galaxy S20 phones, "Space Zoom" cameras and a new fold-y Flip. How seriously should we take these extravaganzas?

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-442

The Social Network Becomes a Social Science Subject

Plus: Tim O’Reilly’s original unconferences, the problem with flying cars, and selfie-snapping toddlers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-social-network-becomes-social-science-subject

To Bolster Cybersecurity, the US Should Look to Estonia

The tiny European nation has come a long way after crippling cyberattacks in 2007. Now, it offers key lessons in attracting tech talent and educating citizens.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-to-bolster-cybersecurity-the-us-should-look-to-estonia

Levy Plus Review: A Comfy, Affordable Electric Scooter

This mid-level electric scooter has all the bells and whistles you need and doesn't cost almost four figures.

source https://www.wired.com/review/levy-plus

Michael Bloomberg, Geezer Tech Bro 

He may have founded his startup way back in the early 1980s, but he likes to “move fast and break things” too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/michael-bloomberg-geezer-tech-bro

Kesha, Lil Wayne, and Albums That Don't Need a Viral Hit

Great songs gain popularity on social media. Great albums stand on their own.

source https://www.wired.com/story/kesha-lil-wayne-albums

This Social Network Wants to Pay You (in Crypto) to Do Good

Block.one raised $4 billion in 2018 by promising to build a decentralized, blockchain-based platform. Now its social network wants to encourage quality posts.

source https://www.wired.com/story/social-network-wants-pay-crypto-do-good

6 Best Sound Machines for 2020 (Best White Noise Machines)

Our favorite white noise and sleep sound machines for babies, kids, and adults. Tested by WIRED's Gear team.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-sound-machines

Signal Is Finally Bringing Its Secure Messaging to the Masses

The encryption app is putting a $50 million infusion from WhatsApp cofounder Brian Acton to good use, building out features to help it go mainstream.

source https://www.wired.com/story/signal-encrypted-messaging-features-mainstream

Darpa Cranks Up Antibody Research to Stall Coronavirus

It's not the same as a vaccine. But a shorter-lived antibody treatment may shield health workers and family members during the early days of an outbreak.

source https://www.wired.com/story/darpa-cranks-up-antibody-research-to-stall-coronavirus

NASA’s Epic Gamble to Get Martian Dirt Back to Earth

The space agency’s round-trip mission to the Red Planet won’t be easy, but Mars Sample Return will answer fundamental questions beyond our terrestrial sphere.

source https://www.wired.com/story/inside-nasas-epic-plan-to-bring-martian-soil-back-to-earth

Going the Distance (and Beyond) to Catch Marathon Cheaters

Derek Murphy investigates runners whose times seem suspicious, which is what brought him to a 70-year-old doctor named Frank Meza.

source https://www.wired.com/story/marathon-investigation-cheaters-racing-data

Thursday, February 13, 2020

The US Hits Huawei With New Charges of Trade Secret Theft

The latest indictment adds racketeering to the list of violations allegedly committed by the Chinese telecom company. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/us-hits-huawei-new-charges-trade-secret-theft

The DOJ Asks Startup Investors: Are Tech Giants Too Powerful?

An antitrust workshop at Stanford brings together Justice Department officials and venture capitalists to consider reining in the industry's biggest players.

source https://www.wired.com/story/doj-startup-investors-tech-giants-too-powerful

Want Unlimited Clean Energy? Just Drill the World's Hottest Well

An engineering team bored two miles into hot rock without causing major earthquakes—a good sign for harnessing the Earth's heat as a power source.

source https://www.wired.com/story/want-unlimited-clean-energy-just-drill-the-worlds-hottest-well

Bloomberg’s Influencer Campaign, a Hackable Voting App, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mike-bloomberg-instagram-infuencers-voter-hacking-voatz

How Doctors on Earth Treated a Blood Clot on the ISS

A scan revealed a clot in a patient's jugular. The challenge? That patient was an astronaut, 250 miles overhead in the International Space Station.

source https://www.wired.com/story/blood-clot-space-station

China Launches a Crush of Clinical Trials Aimed at Covid-19

The country's health care system, with its expertise in conducting clinical research, is ready to run new drug tests. But coordinating them all is another matter.

source https://www.wired.com/story/china-launches-a-crush-of-clinical-trials-aimed-at-covid-19

Voting App Flaws Could Have Let Hackers Manipulate Results

New research from MIT shows that the Voatz app appears to have some glaring security holes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/voatz-voting-app-security-flaws

Mike Bloomberg’s Meme Campaign Is Just the Beginning

Presidential campaign #spon may be cringeworthy but it will likely be around for a while.

source https://www.wired.com/story/election-2020-influncers

Sony Envisions an AI-Fueled World, From Kitchen Bots to Games

The maker of the Aibo robot dog wants to infuse artificial intelligence in its cameras, sensors, game characters, and kitchen gear.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sony-envisions-ai-fueled-world-kitchen-bots-games

You May Not Even Know You're Spreading Lies

But here's a simple thing we all can do to make the internet slightly less terrible.

source https://www.wired.com/story/you-may-not-even-know-youre-spreading-lies

There Were 646,152 Things to Watch on TV Last Year

No, seriously. Someone counted. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/peak-tv-loki-netflix-ava-duvernay-drake-birds-of-prey

'Utopia Falls' Is a Bold Attempt to Make a Better YA Dystopia

Hulu's new series brings in modern themes that make it stand out in a crowded genre.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hulu-utopia-falls-young-adult

15 Best Xbox One Games (2020): 'Halo', 'Control', and More

Relive classics, play co-op with friends, and enjoy the mayhem of a battle royale with our favorite Xbox titles.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/12-xbox-one-games-everyone-should-play

Why Are We Polarized? Don't Blame Social Media, Says Ezra Klein

The Vox editor explains why there's no chapter devoted to Facebook or Twitter in his new book about how the US is more divided than ever.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-are-we-polarized-dont-blame-social-media-ezra-klein

Motorola Razr Review: A Cheap Phone in an Expensive Body

Motorola's first foldable smartphone makes a good case for the return of the clamshell design, but the Razr is still stuck in the past.

source https://www.wired.com/review/motorola-razr-2020

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

How a Space Engineer Justine Haupt Made Her Own Rotary Cell Phone

The funky DIY device is a creative way for her to eschew the always-on lifestyle.

source https://www.wired.com/story/justine-haupt-rotary-phone

Mobile World Congress Is Canceled Over Coronavirus Fears

The wireless industry showcase becomes the latest tech casualty of the global health emergency. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/mobile-world-congress-canceled-coronavirus-fears

Uber and Lyft's Financials Reveal Two Ride-Hailing Strategies

For the moment, investors prefer Uber's broader global footprint and side hustles such as its Eats food delivery business.

source https://www.wired.com/story/uber-lyfts-financials-reveal-two-ride-hailing-strategies

Zuck's Lost Notebook, Marsupial Trouble, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mark-zuckerberg-facebook-notebook-marsupials-australia-climate-change

Geoff Keighley Says Sayonara to E3

The gaming show host has joined Sony and Nintendo as the latest prominent E3 holdout. The trade show's future has never been less certain.

source https://www.wired.com/story/geoff-keighley-leaves-e3

Why the FTC Wants to Revisit Hundreds of Deals by Big Tech

Silicon Valley's “if you can’t beat ‘em, buy ’em” approach comes under federal scrutiny. Some antitrust experts say better late than never.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ftc-special-order-review-big-tech-killer-acquisitions

NASA Puts a Price on a 2024 Moon Landing 

Last year, the Vice President directed the space agency to put astronauts back on the moon. NASA crunched the numbers—and it won't come cheap.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nasa-puts-a-price-on-a-2024-moon-landing

Cricut Joy Review: An Easy Way to Start Crafting

Cute and compact, this crafting machine is a great entry point for new and aspiring artists.

source https://www.wired.com/review/cricut-joy

Chrome Is Fixing the Web's Most Annoying Video Problem

Google has finally decided to clamp down on those intrusive autoplay video ads.

source https://www.wired.com/story/chrome-is-fixing-the-webs-most-annoying-video-problem

The Best Tower Warmers (2020): Zadro and Haven

We toasted towels and repeatedly touched hot surfaces to find which warmers, if any, are worth your money.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-towel-warmers

3 Ways for Big Tech to Protect Teens From Harm

Two psychiatrists offer key changes that social media platforms can make to stop doing harm and start doing good for those who may struggle with their mental health.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-3-ways-for-big-tech-to-protect-teens-from-harm

26 Best Nintendo Switch Accessories (2020): Docks, Cases, and More

Own Nintendo's two-in-one console? These are our picks for the best screen protectors, chargers, controllers, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-nintendo-switch-accessories

With In-Car AR, Drivers Get a New View of the Road Ahead

New augmented reality-equipped navigation screens are the latest in an arms race among upscale auto makers like Mercedes and Cadillac.

source https://www.wired.com/story/in-car-ar-drivers-get-new-view-road-ahead

Can a Database of Animal Viruses Help Predict the Next Pandemic?

A scientist spent years building a tool to identify coronaviruses that can jump species. Then this winter's virus emerged—and put his system to the test.

source https://www.wired.com/story/can-a-database-of-animal-viruses-help-predict-the-next-pandemic

Inside Mark Zuckerberg's Lost Notebook

In the early days of Facebook, Zuck kept his plans for world domination in handwritten journals. He destroyed them. But a few revealing pages survived.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-lost-notebook

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

This Marsupial Dies After Marathon Mating. Now It's Got Bigger Worries

Antechinus has so much sex over three weeks that males go blind and die, yet it's climate change that threatens the Australian mammal.

source https://www.wired.com/story/antechinus-climate-change

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Hands On: A Folding Phone With a Glass Screen

The company debuted a premium folding smartphone with a flexible glass screen. Here's what it's like to hold it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-hands-on

The US Fears Huawei Because It Knows How Tempting Backdoors Are

US officials allege that Huawei has backdoors in its technology. The US knows firsthand how powerful those can be.

source https://www.wired.com/story/huawei-backdoors-us-crypto-ag

Coronavirus Has a Name: The Deadly Disease Is Covid-19

The virus that causes it is SARS-CoV-2. (We didn't say they were *good* names.)

source https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-has-a-name-the-deadly-disease-is-covid-19

New Samsung Phones, Record Heat in Antarctica, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/samgung-galaxy-s20-antarctica-record-heat

Judge Rules That T-Mobile Can Acquire Sprint

The deal would reduce the number of big national carriers to three, from four. Dish Network says it will build a replacement, but skeptics doubt its commitment.

source https://www.wired.com/story/judge-rules-t-mobile-can-acquire-sprint

Flipboard TV: Price, Details, Release Date

The news aggregator Flipboard is charging $3 per month for its ad-free video service.

source https://www.wired.com/story/flipboard-tv-launch

China's Hacking Spree Will Have a Decades-Long Fallout

Equifax. Anthem. Marriott. OPM. The data that China has amassed about US citizens will power its intelligence activities for a generation.

source https://www.wired.com/story/china-equifax-anthem-marriott-opm-hacks-data

Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra: Price, Specs, Release Date

The company unveiled three new Galaxy phones, new earbuds, and a few surprises.

source https://www.wired.com/story/samsung-galaxy-s20-details

Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra Hands On: New Cameras, 8K, and 5G

The three new phones also have 120 Hz screens, big batteries, and tons of megapixels, but they sure are expensive. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/samsung-galaxy-s20-ultra-hands-on

A 747 Set a New Record for Crossing the Atlantic

Thanks to Storm Ciara, the British Airways flight made it from New York to London in just 4 hours and 56 minutes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/747-set-new-record-for-crossing-the-atlantic

Conservative News Sites Track You Lots More Than Left-Leaning Ones

One analysis of news outlets found that the median popular right-wing site planted 73 percent more cookies than its left-wing counterpart.

source https://www.wired.com/story/right-left-news-site-ad-tracking

Hurling Satellites Into Space Seems Crazy—but Might Just Work

A startup called SpinLaunch wants to do away with costly launch rockets. Let's look at the physics.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hurling-satellites-into-space

Duuuuude. What Happens If the Earth Gains Consciousness?

The interactive art pop-up 'The End of You' tackles the environmental crisis through a transhumanistic lens. It'll even let you morph into a tree. Well, sorta.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-end-of-you-gray-area

The Big (Yet Hidden) Consequences of Antarctica's Record Heat

As the continent rapidly warms, unique communities of tiny animals like water bears are transforming in profound ways.

source https://www.wired.com/story/antarctica-record-heat

Can the Government Buy Its Way Around the Fourth Amendment?

Immigration authorities are purchasing cell phone location data, and it might be totally legal.  

source https://www.wired.com/story/can-government-buy-way-around-fourth-amendment

Trump Proposes a Cut in Research Spending, but a Boost for AI

The president is betting on payoffs from artificial intelligence and quantum. But some researchers say gains are dependent on progress in other fields. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/trump-proposes-cut-research-spending-boost-ai

19 Valentine's Day Deals to Gift Your Sweetheart (or Yourself)

From Apple Watches to a comfy mattress, we found swoon-worthy discounts on all sorts of gear and gadgets.

source https://www.wired.com/story/valentines-day-deals-2020

Google's Giving Out Security Keys to Help Protect Campaigns

Candidates can also get trained up on how to use Advanced Protection to keep their accounts safe.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-free-security-keys-campaigns

The Food We'll Eat on the Journey to Mars (Algae Caviar, Anyone?)

Humans are headed for the cosmos, and we’re taking our appetites with us. What will fill the void when we leave Earth behind?

source https://www.wired.com/story/space-food-what-will-keep-us-human

Monday, February 10, 2020

Oscars Woes for Netflix, Money for Yahoo Users, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/oscars-parasite-netflix-yahoo-breach-money

How 4 Chinese Hackers Allegedly Took Down Equifax

The Department of Justice has pinned the Equifax hack on China. Here's how they did it, according the indictment.

source https://www.wired.com/story/equifax-hack-china

Netflix Had a Disappointing Night at the Oscars

The streaming service was nominated for 24 awards, but only won two. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/netflix-oscars-parasite

You Can’t Take This Photo: The Colossal Underbelly of an Iceberg

Tobias Friedrich dove into 27ºF water to capture the ice formations most people never see. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/you-cant-take-this-iceberg-photo

Turn Your Ikea Frekvens Gear Into a Boombox—or a Chicken

The new collection, a collaboration with Teenage Engineering, has its own set of 3D-printable accessories.

source https://www.wired.com/story/turn-your-frekvens-gear-into-boombox-canon-or-chicken

Best Podcasts for Kids (2020): Stories, Circle Round, But Why, and More

Keep your children entertained and ease the stress of being stuck indoors with these podcasts for kids.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-podcasts-for-kids

We Need to Talk About “Cloud Neutrality”

A multibillion-dollar, privately-owned infrastructure is now essential to the modern internet economy. That should freak you out.

source https://www.wired.com/story/we-need-to-talk-about-cloud-neutrality

What Is the Internet of Things? A WIRED Guide

What you need to know about the promise (and peril) of networked lightbulbs, ovens, cameras, speakers and, well … everything.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wired-guide-internet-of-things

What Scientists Can Learn From Alien Hunters

The history of the search for extraterrestrial lifeis  good way to understand the unintended consequences of fence-building and boundary-setting in other disciplines.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-scientists-can-learn-from-alien-hunters

Today's Cartoon: Elon Musk's Problem

One small step for man, one giant leap for childcare options.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wired-cartoons-week-26

Sunday, February 9, 2020

A Weekend at Concours d'Lemons, the World's Worst Car Show

For those who wince at sports car showoffs, this wacky annual show is a sight for sour eyes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/concours-d-lemons-car-show

The Secret to Blowing Massive Soap Bubbles

This physicist-approved recipe uses a dash of polymers to create world-record-scale bubbles.

source https://www.wired.com/story/physicists-determine-optimal-soap-recipe-for-blowing-gigantic-bubbles

The Iowa Caucus Debacle Leads This Week's Internet News Roundup

November is a long way away.

source https://www.wired.com/story/internet-week-256

Faked Traffic Jams, Soaring Tesla Stock, and Other Auto News

A German artist tricks Google Maps into seeing gridlock, and the market shows Elon Musk love.

source https://www.wired.com/story/faked-traffic-jams-soaring-tesla-stock-auto-news

Nebia by Moen Review: A Showerhead That Made Me Really Cold

Not even a luxury, high-tech showerhead can make me turn on the mist setting in the middle of winter.

source https://www.wired.com/review/nebia-by-moen-showerhead

The Universal Law of Turbulence Isn't So Unruly After All

By exploiting randomness, mathematicians have proved an elegant law that underlies the motion of rushing rivers and other chaotic fluids.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-universal-law-of-turbulence-isnt-so-unruly-after-all

Oscars 2020: How to Watch

No TV? No problem! There are plenty of other ways to watch all the action on Hollywood's biggest night.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-watch-oscars-2020

17 Best Nintendo Switch Games (2020): 'Pokémon', 'Cuphead', and More

From Hyrule to Hallownest, these are our absolute favorite games for Switch, including multiplayer, co-op, and single-player games.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-nintendo-switch-games

How to Share Files Securely Online: Dropbox, Firefox Send, and More

You've got no shortage of options sharing documents and more with friends, family, and colleagues. These are your best bets.

source https://www.wired.com/story/securely-share-files-online

Investors Hit the Brakes on Automotive Startups

Fervor for self-driving tech cools, and an accelerator in Detroit shuts down.

source https://www.wired.com/story/investors-hit-brakes-automotive-startups

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Pro-Trump Trolls Flooded the Iowa Caucus Phone Lines

Google photo sharing, Wacom tracking, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/iowa-caucus-phone-trolls-google-photos-wacom-security-news

India's Data Protection Bill Threatens Global Cybersecurity

Banning re-identification discourages researchers from finding weaknesses, and encourages criminals to exploit them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-indias-data-protection-bill-threatens-global-cybersecurity

'The Witcher' Might Get Better in Season 2

The show's second season provides Netflix an opportunity to expand some characters' stories.

source https://www.wired.com/2020/02/geeks-guide-the-witcher

19 Best PS4 Games (2020): 'Sekiro', 'God of War', 'The Last of Us'

Crawl dungeons, hunt dinosaurs, and learn to be a dad with our favorite PlayStation 4 games.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-sony-playstation-4-games

Coronavirus Is Bad. Comparing It to the Flu Is Worse

The whataboutism of infectious disease is as dangerous as it is hackneyed.

source https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-is-bad-comparing-it-to-the-flu-is-worse

How AI Is Tracking the Coronavirus Outbreak

Machine-learning programs are analyzing websites, news reports, and social media posts for signs of symptoms, such as fever or breathing problems. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-ai-tracking-coronavirus-outbreak

16 Best Weekend Deals on Outdoor Gear, Tech Essentials, and More

Looking for sales? We've rounded up quite a few of our favorites on jackets, packs, headphones, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-feb-7-2020

How to Get Your Yahoo Breach Settlement Money

If you had a Yahoo account from 2012-2016, you probably have $100 coming your way.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-get-yahoo-breach-settlement-money

Cadillac Brings Super Cruise to the New 2021 Escalade

Adding the sort of self-driving feature to the ever-popular SUV means more drivers can hit the highway, no hands needed.

source https://www.wired.com/story/2021-escalade-super-cruise-self-driving

Friday, February 7, 2020

'The Witcher' and 'Little Women' Share a Time-Tested Secret

Both are told out of chronological order—and the reason why is a lesson for our times.

source https://www.wired.com/story/witcher-little-women-gender-chronology

How to Watch Tonight's Democratic Debate in New Hampshire

Fresh off the caucus debacle in Iowa, seven candidates take the stage in tonight's debate.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-watch-new-hampshire-primary-debate-2020

Dan Houser Is Leaving Rockstar Games

The creative force behind 'Grand Theft Auto' and 'Red Dead Redemption 2' will end his tenure at the company he cofounded in March.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dan-houser-leaving-rockstar-games

What Is a Coronavirus?

The 2019 novel coronavirus is one of the seven members of this family known to infect humans.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-a-coronavirus

Facebook's Bug Bounty Caught a Data-Stealing Spree

A few months ago, the company disclosed that apps were siphoning data from up to 9.5 million of its users. It only found out thanks to a bug bounty submission.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-bug-bounty-app-data-stealing

Want to Fight Climate Change? Stop Believing These Myths

In Mark Jaccard’s new book, *The Citizen’s Guide to Climate Success,* he argues that the key is to stop obsessing about notions like peak oil.

source https://www.wired.com/story/guide-to-climate-success

Google, Amazon, and Apple Have a Trillion Dollar Problem

Plus: Steve Jobs' too-modest vision for Apple, the real problem with bitcoin, and the anointing of Rush Limbaugh. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-google-amazon-apple-big-tech-trillion-dollar-problem

The 7 Best Drones (2020): DJI, Parrot, Syma

Whether you want to battle Star Wars spaceships or shoot a cinematic masterpiece, there's a drone that's perfect for everyone.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-drones

'Birds of Prey': 5 Essential Comics

Want to know more about Harley Quinn and her band of mischief makers? Start here.

source https://www.wired.com/story/birds-of-prey-reading-list

The Digital Colonialism Behind .tv and .ly

Country-specific domain names can generate a lot of money—but for whom?

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-digital-colonialism-behind-tv-and-ly

'Locke & Key' Masters the Netflix Recipe—for Better or Worse

The family-ready thriller is woolly and uneven, smart and a little unbelievable. In other words, it’s straight out of the streaming service's playbook.

source https://www.wired.com/story/locke-and-key-netflix-review

Gadget Lab Podcast: The Virus and the Vote

This week, we discuss the coronavirus outbreak's impact on the economy, plus the scary state of mobile voting security in the US.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-441

Europe’s Solar Orbiter Begins Its Journey to the Sun

ESA's orbiter will work with NASA’s Parker Solar Probe to unveil the mysteries of our home star and the origin of violent storms that spew plasma across space.

source https://www.wired.com/story/europes-solar-orbiter-begins-its-journey-to-the-sun

Europe Limits Government by Algorithm. The US, Not So Much

A Dutch court halted a program to identify people more likely to commit benefits fraud. Critics said it discriminated against immigrants and low-income residents.

source https://www.wired.com/story/europe-limits-government-algorithm-us-not-much

Taylor Swift's 'Miss Americana' Is Pointless in the Instagram Era

With social media, there's very little documentaries can show that fans don't already know all too well.

source https://www.wired.com/story/taylor-swift-miss-americana-netflix

11 Best Cheap Headphones and Earbuds for $100 or Less (2020)

We’ve picked the best affordable in-ear, over-ear, on-ear, wireless, and corded headphones in every price bracket.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-headphones-under-100

Thursday, February 6, 2020

A Promising Crispr Trial, Happy-ish Tesla Investors, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/crispr-cancer-trial-tesla-stock-coronavirus

Americans Are Split On Online Dating—but Swipe More Than Ever

A new survey backs assumptions with data: Like IRL romance, finding a match on the web is a mixed bag. And yes, women get lots of unwanted dick pics.

source https://www.wired.com/story/americans-online-dating-pew-survey-2020

The Trump Administration and the New Architects of Fear

The government’s plan to mandate “neoclassical” buildings might be one of the most blatantly authoritarian things it has yet attempted.

source https://www.wired.com/story/federal-architecture-neoclassical

Crispr'd Cells Show Promise in First US Human Safety Trial

Using genetically-edited cells to supercharge the immune system caused no adverse effects in cancer patients. It's too soon to tell if it can be a cure.

source https://www.wired.com/story/crisprd-cells-show-promise-in-first-us-human-safety-trial

The Race to Save Flash Games from Internet Oblivion

Flashpoint and other enthusiasts have archived tens of thousands of games ahead of the software platform's demise at the end of this year.\

source https://www.wired.com/story/flash-games-digital-preservation-flashpoint

This Vehicle Has No Side-View Mirrors—and It's Legal

Self-driving startup Nuro is the first company to win an exemption from federal safety requirements. It won't be the last.

source https://www.wired.com/story/vehicle-no-side-view-mirrors-legal

After the Iowa Caucus Meltdown, New Hampshire Says It’s Ready

The nation’s first primary is proudly low-tech, but it'll take more than paper ballots to defuse the disinformation threat.

source https://www.wired.com/story/after-iowa-caucus-new-hampshire-ready

Donald Trump Now Has the Senate GOP's Blessing to Undermine Democracy

After making it through a criminal investigation and political impeachment unscathed, Trump now has free rein to invite election interference and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/donald-trump-impeachment-election-interference

Disney\+‘s Marvel TV Series Finally Gets a Release Date

The hype around original content like *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier* is just one reason why the service's subscription numbers are booming. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/disney-plus-subscriber-numberes

OneWeb Joins the Internet Satellite Gold Rush

The company is scheduled to launch 34 satellites Thursday from Kazakhstan.

source https://www.wired.com/story/oneweb-joins-internet-satellite-gold-rush

Does Facebook Need an ‘Understand’ Button?

Mark Zuckerberg has decided it's not important to be liked, only to be understood. What the hell does that even mean?

source https://www.wired.com/story/does-facebook-need-an-understand-button

12 Best Laptop Backpacks for Work (2020): Tom Binh, Incase, and More

Whether you're commuting on your bike or schlepping around a camera, these 12 professional backpacks do the job right.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-backpacks-for-work

'1917' Might Beat the Blockbusters for the VFX Oscar

Usually, the special effects award gives flashy genre flicks their time to shine. This year, a World War I thriller could steal the spotlight.

source https://www.wired.com/story/1917-vfx-oscars

DJI Mavic Mini Review: The Best Drone for Most People

DJI's latest small drone is lightweight, small enough to fit in your pocket, and tons of fun to fly.

source https://www.wired.com/review/dji-mavic-mini

Coronavirus Fears Will Leave Empty Seats at a Top AI Conference

The event, organized by the American Association for Artificial Intelligence, will be missing hundreds of leading Chinese researchers who are hampered by travel restrictions.

source https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-fears-empty-seats-ai-conference

Tesla Is Finally Cruising, and Investors Are Going for a Joyride

The electric automaker is valued more highly than Volkswagen, which makes roughly 20 times as many cars. Tesla's stock is also up 71 percent this year alone.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-cruising-investors-going-joyride

A Code-Obsessed Novelist Builds a Writing Bot. Plot Thickens

Vikram Chandra, the author of Sacred Games, created Granthika to keep track of complex narratives. It could change the future of storytelling.

source https://www.wired.com/story/code-obsessed-novelist-builds-writing-bot-the-plot-thickens

Travel Bans and Quarantines Won't Stop Coronavirus

The US announced travel restrictions on Friday. But some public health experts worry that a ban won't work—and could create new problems.

source https://www.wired.com/story/travel-bans-and-quarantines-wont-stop-coronavirus

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on Maps, AI, Ads, and Ambient Navigation

On Google Maps' 15th anniversary, the CEO underscores the importance of machine learning, while downplaying Google's dominance in advertising.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sundar-pichai-on-google-maps-at-15

Google Maps's Jen Fitzpatrick Says the Future of Maps Goes Beyond Driving

In a WIRED Q&A, the mapping chief celebrates her team's decade and a half of work, and plots a course for the next phase.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-maps-jen-fitzpatrick-q-and-a

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

'Speaking Simulator' Feels Different When You Have a Stutter

The game turns talking into an alien act. But if you have a speech impediment, it's surprising how familiar the alien can be.

source https://www.wired.com/story/speaking-simulator-speech-impediment

Hackable Cisco Phones, a Locust Invasion, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cisco-hack-vulnerability-locusts-africa

How American Politics Became a Meme Theater

Nancy Pelosi ripping up President Trump's speech is the latest political move to go viral, a common occurrence that keeps people engaged but also distracted from the issues.

source https://www.wired.com/story/pelosi-trump-state-of-the-union-meme

Yes, You *Can* Map Out an Electric Field at Home

Grab your sheet of conducting paper and you'll be charting invisible electrostatic forces in no time.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-map-invisible-electric-fields

Welcome to the Era of Supercharged Lithium-Silicon Batteries

Batteries with silicon anodes promise to make devices last more than 20 percent longer on a single charge.

source https://www.wired.com/story/welcome-to-the-era-of-supercharged-lithium-silicon-batteries

Nike's Tokyo Olympic Gear: A First Look

The apparel and shoes for team USA were designed for peak performance—ecologically and athletically.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nike-olympics

Digital IDs Make Systemic Bias Worse

National biometric ID programs from regimes like Kenya's threaten to cut out—or keep out—millions from society.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-digital-ids-make-systemic-bias-worse

Cisco Flaws Put Millions of Workplace Devices at Risk

Five vulnerabilities in Cisco Discovery Protocol make it possible for a hacker to take over desk phones, routers, and more. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/cisco-cdp-flaws-enterprise-hacking

Jeff Weiner Updates His LinkedIn Profile

After 11 steady years as the CEO of the professional networking company, Weiner is yielding the reins to deputy Ryan Roslansky.

source https://www.wired.com/story/jeff-weiner-needs-update-linkedin-profile

5 Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks (2020): Homelabs, Philips, Casper

No bedroom window? No problem. These sun simulators might just make it easier to wake up and catch z's.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-sunrise-alarm-clocks

The Terrifying Science Behind the Locust Plagues of Africa

With hundreds of billions of locusts tearing through farmland, it’s the worst outbreak to strike the region in decades.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-terrifying-science-behind-the-locust-plagues-of-africa

15 Best Bluetooth Speakers (2020): Ultimate Ears, JBL, Sonos

These are our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers of all shapes and sizes, from waterproof clip-ons to a massive boombox.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-bluetooth-speakers

In the Land of Big Tech Outposts, a Push for More Housing

A San Francisco ballot measure would reduce commercial construction if the city doesn't meet state targets for affordable housing.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cap-office-space-opens-debate-affordable-housing

The Small Miracle of Immigrant Stories on TV

New shows like *Little America* resist the lazy impulse to treat the immigrant experience as fringe. The result is meaningful, powerful television. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/little-america-tv-immigrant-stories

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

The US Fast-Tracked a Coronavirus Test to Speed Up Diagnoses

The FDA has given emergency authorization to a new test that promises to help public health labs meet a potential surge in cases.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-us-fast-tracked-a-coronavirus-test

The Saving Grace of the Iowa Caucus Debacle

A technical fiasco in a small state, early in the season, minimizes the consequences. The question is how election officials will respond as the stakes rise.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-saving-grace-of-the-iowa-caucus-meltdown

The Iowa Caucus Meltdown, a Coronavirus Mask Shortage, and More News

Catch up on the most important news from today in two minutes or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/iowa-caucus-democrats-coronavirus-masks-china

How to Watch the 2020 State of the Union

President Trump will deliver his third address before Congress Tuesday, on the eve of the Senate's scheduled vote on impeachment.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-watch-the-state-of-the-union-2020

The Coronavirus Outbreak Is a Petri Dish for Conspiracy Theories

In times of crisis, a combination of heightened emotions and lack of information combine to create the one thing nearly every conspiracy needs: fearful minds.

source https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-conspiracy-theories

Iowa Misinformation Spreads Online, Despite New Policies

In the wake of 2016, Facebook and Twitter said they'd ban inaccuracies about elections and voting. That didn't stop lies and distortions on Monday.

source https://www.wired.com/story/iowa-misinformation-spreads-online-despite-new-policies

The Iowa Caucus Tech Meltdown Is a Warning

The Iowa results will come in eventually, thanks to a paper trail. But it underscores just how much can go wrong when you lean on unnecessary, untested tech.

source https://www.wired.com/story/iowa-democratic-caucus-app-tech-meltdown-warning

The End of the BlackBerry Is Officially Upon Us 

The former mobile powerhouse has been licensing its brand to Chinese smartphone company TCL since 2016. But that deal will expire this summer. 

source https://www.wired.com/story/end-of-the-blackberry-is-officially-upon-us

Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity, the Condition so Controversial Doctors Won't Diagnose It

Italian photographer Claudia Gori sought out sufferers of the condition who wanted to share their story with the world.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-disputed-diagnosis-forcing-people-into-faraday-cages

This Identity Activist Wants to Make Facebook Obsolete

Your digital self is fragmented and owned by third parties. Kaliya Young has a plan to change that—and make tech fairer for all.

source https://www.wired.com/story/this-identity-activist-wants-to-make-facebook-obsolete

America Needs a Ministry of (Actual) Truth

Today's deepfakes are more sophisticated than any state fakery in 1984. But an Orwell-inspired agency can help us snuff out a AI-generated dystopia.

source https://www.wired.com/story/america-needs-a-ministry-of-truth

This Cloth Destroys Deadly Nerve Agents in Minutes

Chemists are collaborating with the US Army to build uniforms that can quickly break down toxic substances, protecting soldiers from chemical weapons.

source https://www.wired.com/story/this-cloth-destroys-deadly-nerve-agents

10 Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online (2020): Memory Foam, Hybrid, and More

We reviewed 29 online bed-in-a-box mattresses. These are the best (and worst) we found.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-mattresses

Amid Coronavirus Fears, a Mask Shortage Could Spread Globally

Most of the world's supply of masks and respirators comes from China, and a supply chain gap poses a risk to everyday health care beyond the viral epidemic.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amid-coronavirus-fears-a-mask-shortage-could-spread-globally

Who Should Control the Internet's .Org Addresses?

The group that administers .org domains may be sold to a for-profit company. Critics worry that nonprofits and activists could suffer.

source https://www.wired.com/story/who-control-internets-org-addresses

Best Nintendo Switch Deals and Console Bundles (February 2020)

The best Nintendo Switch console deals, and all the essentials you'll need when you own one.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-nintendo-switch-deals-bundles-and-essentials

Monday, February 3, 2020