The Blurred Lines and Closed Loops of Google Search

Seemingly small design tweaks to the search results interface may change how and where people find information online.

source https://www.wired.com/story/blurred-lines-closed-loops-google-search

A Beautiful Yet Grim Map Shows How Wildfire Smoke Spreads

California’s blazes have sent a haze across the United States. An experimental model shows where that cloud ends up.

source https://www.wired.com/story/map-shows-how-wildfire-smoke-spreads

Are Radioactive Diamond Batteries a Cure for Nuclear Waste?

Researchers are developing a new battery powered by lab-grown gems made from reformed nuclear waste. If it works, it will last thousands of years.

source https://www.wired.com/story/are-radioactive-diamond-batteries-a-cure-for-nuclear-waste

I Was a Floating Head at an NBA Game. It Gets Weirder

Crowds of spectral, legless virtual fans are part of the league's stab at preserving the ambiance of pre-pandemic basketball. I took a seat.

source https://www.wired.com/story/watching-basketball-virtually

Apple Accidentally Approved Malware to Run on MacOS

The ubiquitous Shlayer adware has picked up a new trick, slipping past Cupertino's “notarization” defenses for the first time.

source https://www.wired.com/story/apple-approved-malware-macos-notarization-shlayer

T-Mobile and Sprint Merger FAQ: What You Need to Know (2020)

If you’re a Sprint or T-Mobile subscriber, you may have a lot of questions now that the two wireless carriers have merged. And what's happening with Dish and Boost? We have answers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/t-mobile-sprint-merger-guide

The Pheromonophone Lets You Reach Out and Smell Someone

The prankish device is the subject of a new audiobook that pokes serious fun at Silicon Valley’s culture of disruption. We spoke with its inventor.

source https://www.wired.com/story/jonathon-keats-interview-the-curious-case-of-the-pheromonophone

Should Google’s Ad Market Be Regulated Like the Stock Market?

A leading antitrust scholar says yes. Congress may be listening.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-ad-market-regulated-like-stock-market

How Cryptography Lets Down Marginalized Communities

Speaking at a prestigious crypto conference this month, Seny Kamara called on the field to recognize its blind spots—and fix them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/seny-kamara-crypto-encryption-underserved-communities

Covid Is Accelerating a Global Censorship Crisis

Autocracies and democracies alike are suppressing information within their borders, which will affect public health and security around the world.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-covid-is-accelerating-a-global-censorship-crisis

Porn Sites Still Won’t Take Down Nonconsensual Deepfakes

The videos are racking up millions of views. Meanwhile, for victims, the legal options aren’t keeping up with the technology

source https://www.wired.com/story/porn-sites-still-wont-take-down-non-consensual-deepfakes

6 Kids School Supplies for Online Distance Learning

Whether your children are distance learning, in the classroom, or somewhere in between, we’ve got a school supplies list to make this year a little easier.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/distance-learning-school-supplies

These New Shape-Shifting Materials Get Super Cool, Super Fast

Shape memory alloys and a kind of plastic crystal chill quickly under force or pressure. They could lead to eco-friendly fridges and air conditioners.

source https://www.wired.com/story/these-new-shape-shifting-materials-get-super-cool-super-fast

The 15 Best Wireless Headphones (2020): Earbuds, Noise-Canceling, and More

These are WIRED's favorite wireless headphones and earbuds for taking phone calls, listening to music, working out, and more.

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

How to Protect the Data on Your Laptop

Your laptop is a treasure trove of personal and sensitive information—make sure it's as secure as it can be.

source https://www.wired.com/story/protect-laptop-data-tips

The Joy of ‘Analog’ Cooking on a Green Coleman Camp Stove

The best way to unplug from all your digital kitchen gadgetry is to fire up a pair of propane burners in the middle of nowhere.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rave-coleman-camp-stove

Can Australia Force Google and Facebook to Pay for News?

A proposed law would require the tech giants to negotiate with publishers. Similar attempts in Europe have largely failed.

source https://www.wired.com/story/can-australia-force-google-facebook-pay-news

A Spate of Arrests Sends the Piracy World Reeling

Plus: ATM hacks, the Belarus internet shutdown, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/piracy-arrests-belarus-internet-shutdown-atm-hacking-security-news

The Excellent Evolution of 'Bill and Ted Face the Music'

A conversation with Director Dean Parisot and writers Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson about how they updated the franchise for its third film.

source https://www.wired.com/story/excellent-evolution-bill-and-ted-face-the-music

The 10 Best Portable Coffee Makers (2020): All-in-Ones, French Presses, 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

The Biblical Flood That Will Drown California

The Great Flood of 1861–1862 was a preview of what scientists expect to see again, and soon.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-biblical-flood-that-will-drown-california

California Lawmakers Push for More Diversity in the Boardroom

If it succeeds, AB979 would require Facebook, Netflix, Nvidia, Salesforce, and others to add directors of color.

source https://www.wired.com/story/california-lawmakers-push-diversity-boardroom

14 Best Weekend Deals: Video Games, Headphones, and More

Want 'Fall Guys'? It’s free if you have PlayStation Plus! We’ve also rounded up a ton of other sales, including discounts on robot vacuums and earbuds.

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

Can People Without Symptoms Get Tested for Covid? Who Knows

Top health officials have issued contradictory statements, and the CDC's newest guidance limiting testing comes just as the Trump Administration invests in rapid tests.

source https://www.wired.com/story/can-people-without-symptoms-get-tested-for-covid-who-knows

The 'Double Dragon' Movie Should Be a Cult Classic

The adaptation of the 1987 arcade game didn't get the credit it deserved—and would probably fare much better with modern audiences.

source https://www.wired.com/2020/08/geeks-guide-double-dragon

Google Offers to Help Others With the Tricky Ethics of AI

After learning its own ethics lessons the hard way, the tech giant will offer services like spotting racial bias or developing guidelines around AI projects.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-help-others-tricky-ethics-ai

How Many of Maria Ressa’s Warnings Will We Ignore?

Plus: An unheeded red flag at Facebook, TikTok security questions, and this week’s once-in-a-century disaster.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-how-many-of-maria-ressas-warnings-will-we-ignore

Turns Out Late Night Talk Show Hosts Are Just Like Us

We had really started to worry about James Corden, TBH.

source https://www.wired.com/story/late-night-hosts

Does Sony Think You're Worthy Enough to Preorder a PS5?

A unique direct-sales program extends purchase invites to players based on "previous interests and PlayStation activities."

source https://www.wired.com/story/does-sony-think-youre-worthy-enough-to-preorder-a-ps5

What Virtual Reality for Flies Teaches Us About Human Vision

Optical illusions can be a useful tool for studying how we see stuff, but it’s hard to uncover just how they work. Unless, that is, you show them to flies.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-virtual-reality-for-flies-teaches-us-about-human-vision

Alexa, Play My Alibi: The Smart Home Gets Taken to Court

This week, we discuss the growing trend of data from smart speakers and other connected devices being used to solve crimes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-470

iMac Review (27-Inch, 2020): A Powerful and Reliable Mac

This Intel-powered all-in-one desktop computer is back and retuned for working from home.

source https://www.wired.com/review/apple-imac-27-inch-2020

To Stop the Eviction Tsunami, We Need Online Chats

Tenants who get dragged to court are often at a disadvantage. But a new system, known as online dispute resolution, gives them a better shot.

source https://www.wired.com/story/to-stop-the-eviction-tsunami-we-need-online-chats

Elon Musk Is About to Show Off His Neuralink Brain Implant

Musk tweeted that his “V2” update will blow our minds. But how close is he to putting computer chips in them?

source https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-implant-v2-demo

A Tesla Employee Thwarted an Alleged Ransomware Plot

Elon Musk confirmed Thursday night that a ransomware gang had approached a Gigafactory employee with alleged promises of a big payout.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-ransomware-insider-hack-attempt

How WeChat Censored the Coronavirus Pandemic

In China, the messaging platform blocked thousands of keywords related to the virus, a new report reveals.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wechat-chinese-internet-censorship-coronavirus

It's Time to Revisit the Games That Gave Rise to 'Halo'

'Halo Infinite,' the latest entry in the blockbuster franchise, has been delayed. But we'll always have 'Marathon.'

source https://www.wired.com/story/bungie-marathon-revisit

How to Vote by Mail and Make Sure It Counts

There's a lot going on with the USPS right now. Here's a complete state-by-state guide to how to get your ballot—and when it's due.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-vote-by-mail-state-deadlines-usps

Scientists Want to Ditch Formula for Lab-Grown Breast Milk

Formula has come a long way, but it still lacks many nutrients and takes a toll on the environment. A few companies are hoping to provide an alternative.

source https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-want-to-ditch-formula-for-lab-grown-breast-milk

Covid-19 Proves It’s Time to Abolish ‘Predictive’ Policing Algorithms

Research collected during the pandemic backs up the national calls for racial and criminal justice. So why are we still relying on punitive software?

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-proves-its-time-to-abolish-predictive-policing-algorithms

The Best Gear for Your Home Tool Kit: Hammers, Screwdrivers, and More

Here’s all the gear you need to handle any DIY job, from basic repairs to more ambitious home improvement projects.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/how-to-build-a-home-tool-kit

Tao Clean Sonic Toothbrush Review: Zaps Germs After Each Use

This electric toothbrush nestles into a base station that also cleans and dries the brush head.

source https://www.wired.com/review/tao-clean-sonic-toothbrush

Firefox Launched a New Android App to Lure Users From Chrome

Mozilla has rewritten the app to rely on its own infrastructure rather than Google’s. But will its privacy and UI tweaks convince people to make the switch?

source https://www.wired.com/story/firefox-launched-a-new-android-app-to-lure-users-from-chrome

The Pandemic Could Derail a Generation of Young Scientists

Lost funding, lab access, and publishing opportunities mean PhD students and postdocs are uniquely vulnerable. It doesn't bode well for the field's future.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-pandemic-could-derail-a-generation-of-young-scientists

The Prince of Georgia Is Big on Instagram

The musician BERA is the son of the the country's former prime minister and richest man. When  street protests arose in Tbilisi, I went to check on him.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bera-prince-georgia-instagram

How to Create Your Own Custom Google Home Routines

The whole point of a smart speaker is to make your life easier. Here's how to take yours to the next level.

source https://www.wired.com/story/create-custom-google-home-routines

The Bathroom of Tomorrow: Shower & Bath Tech of 2020

Bathrooms are getting smarter, smelling nicer, making you sweat, cooling you down, and, of course, still graciously accepting your waste.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-glimpse-at-the-shiny-ritzy-bathroom-of-tomorrow

Why Hurricane Laura's Storm Surge Could Be 'Unsurvivable'

The deadliest aspect of a hurricane is the storm surge. And Louisiana and Texas are about to get hit with a massive wall of water.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hurricane-laura-storm-surge-could-be-unsurvivable

A California Wildfire Nearly Destroyed the Historic Lick Observatory

The state's apocalyptic blazes have burned 2,000 square miles in 10 days. Here's how they almost claimed a 130-year-old astronomical icon.

source https://www.wired.com/story/california-wildfire-historic-lick-observatory

The Future of American Industry Depends on Open Source Tech

Instead of launching into a costly trade war with China, we need to fully embrace the fastest, safest, and most democratic way of advancing technology.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinon-the-future-of-american-industry-depends-on-open-source-tech

Best Sonos Setup: Which Speakers and Soundbars Should You Buy?

From the Move to the Beam, we've tested every speaker from the venerable brand. We like them all—but here are the best picks to fit your lifestyle.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-sonos-speakers-buying-guide

Steely Eyes, Tragic Ends: The Bromantic Theory of History

It’s no exaggeration to say that emotional affairs of the male heart can influence technology and geopolitics.

source https://www.wired.com/story/steely-eyes-tragic-ends-the-bromantic-theory-of-history

12 Best Wireless Earbuds WIRED Has Tried (True Wireless)

True wireless earbuds, fully wireless earbuds, completely wireless earbuds—no matter what you call them, if you’re ready to cut the cord between your ears, these are the best buds we've tested.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-wirefree-earbuds

Ransomware Has Gone Corporate. Where Will It End?

The DarkSide operators are just the latest group to adopt a veneer of professionalism—while at the same time escalating the consequences of their attacks.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ransomware-gone-corporate-darkside-where-will-it-end

A Ball of Bacteria Survived for 3 Years ... in Space!

New research from the Japanese Tanpopo mission adds to scientists' understanding of how living organisms can endure the hostile environment.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-ball-of-bacteria-survived-for-3-years-in-space

The FDA's Approach to Covid-19 Is a Bloody Mess

It's already looking shaky and politicized on the subject of convalescent plasma. What will happen with vaccines?

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-fdas-approach-to-covid-19-is-a-bloody-mess

You Hate 'The Legend of Korra' for All the Wrong Reasons

It’s not that Korra is a bad protagonist. It’s that she isn’t Aang—and that’s fine to say.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-you-hate-legend-of-korra-netflix

The First Repeat Covid-19 Infection Case Isn't All Bad News

A report from Hong Kong provides the first credible evidence that it's possible to catch the virus twice. Some immunologists are breathing a sigh of relief.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-first-repeat-covid-19-infection-case-isnt-all-bad-news

Nomad Base Station Pro Wireless Charger: An AirPower Alternative

Nomad’s Base Station Pro can charge multiple devices at once without needing to place them just so on the mat.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nomad-base-station-pro-aira-freepower

Wahoo Fitness Kickr Smart Trainer Review: Brings the Backroads Indoors

The newest update to this smart bicycle trainer improves—and futureproofs—the indoor riding experience.

source https://www.wired.com/review/wahoo-fitness-kickr-smart-trainer

Colgate Hum Review: A Smart Toothbrush That Nails App-Guided Brushing

The smart toothbrush perfects connected brushing tech—and costs a fraction of the price of its competitors.

source https://www.wired.com/review/colgate-hum-smart-toothbrush

A Dogfight Renews Concerns About AI's Lethal Potential

Alphabet's DeepMind pioneered reinforcement learning. A California company used it to create an algorithm that defeated an F-16 pilot in a simulation.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dogfight-renews-concerns-ai-lethal-potential

Is Your Chart a Detective Story? Or a Police Report?

Every data visualization is a story, a plot to be unraveled—but some are more approachable than others.

source https://www.wired.com/story/is-your-chart-a-detective-story-or-a-police-report

A Huge Covid-19 Natural Experiment Is Underway—in Classrooms

As K-12 students head back to school, epidemiologists are watching for clues about how kids spread the virus, and what can stop it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-huge-covid-19-natural-experiment-is-underway-in-classrooms

How to Undo Gender Stereotypes in Math—With Math!

A mathematician uses her craft to unravel arguments about differences between men and women.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-undo-gender-stereotypes-in-math-with-math

Amazon and FedEx Push to Put Delivery Robots on Your Sidewalk

The companies are backing bills in more than a dozen states that would legalize the devices. Some bills would block cities from regulating them at all.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-fedex-delivery-robots-your-sidewalk

MAGA TikTok Creators Stand by Trump—Despite a Potential Ban

Conservative influencers say they understand the president's moves to shut down the platform in the US, even if it costs them their audience.

source https://www.wired.com/story/republican-tiktok-creators-trump-ban

Watch the Trailers for The Batman and Wonder Woman 1984

And while you’re at it, check out the trailer for the Snyder Cut of Justice League and a new one for The Suicide Squad, too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/batman-suicide-squad-wonder-woman-1984-justice-league-trailers

How to Create an Inviting Space for Yoga at Home

Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just getting started, here's all the gear you need to get your flow on.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-make-a-yoga-space-at-home

Inside the Sprint to Map the Murder Hornet Genome

The arrival of the insect in the US sent scientists racing to unravel its DNA, looking for clues to where it came from and how to stop it from sticking around.

source https://www.wired.com/story/inside-the-sprint-to-map-the-murder-hornet-genome

How Animal Activists Exposed the Brutality of Factory Farming

In the second part of a Get WIRED series, we go inside one man's mission to bring to light one of factory farming's most notorious practices.

source https://www.wired.com/story/get-wired-podcast-6-ventilation-shutdown-factory-farms

Covid Hits Minorities Hardest, but Data Often Doesn't Show It

Many states are not collecting the race or ethnicity of coronavirus patients, which can make it harder to know the true impact on low-income communities.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-hits-minorities-hardest-data-doesnt-show

What to Know Before Sending Your Kids Back to School Online

Whether your children are going back to class in person or remotely—or some combination—we have tips to help them make the most of the experience.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-kids-back-to-school-online

A Postal Slowdown Is Scary for Those Who Get Meds By Mail

Many seniors, veterans, and chronically ill people rely on the USPS for prescriptions and medical supplies. During Covid-19, they can’t just go to a drugstore.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-postal-slowdown-is-scary-for-those-who-get-meds-by-mail

The FDA Just OK'd Emergency Use of Plasma for Covid-19

Sick people can already get the treatment, and the data is inconclusive. But the president is super into it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-fda-just-okd-emergency-use-of-plasma-for-covid-19

A New Botnet Is Covertly Targeting Millions of Servers

FritzFrog has been used to try and infiltrate government agencies, banks, telecom companies, and universities across the US and Europe.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-botnet-is-covertly-targeting-millions-of-servers

A Fleet of Computers Helps Settle a 90-Year-Old Math Problem

By translating Ott-Heinrich Keller’s conjecture into a computer-friendly search, researchers confirmed a conjecture about seven-dimensional space.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-fleet-of-computers-helps-settle-a-90-year-old-math-problem

How to Rid Your Phone of Those Default Apps You Never Use

Even the best phones come with bloatware, preinstalled apps that take up precious storage space. Here's how to remove them and speed up your device.

source https://www.wired.com/story/remove-bloatware-phone

Police Want Your Smart Speaker—Here's Why

Requests are rising from law enforcement for information on the devices, which can include internet queries, food orders, and overheard conversations.

source https://www.wired.com/story/star-witness-your-smart-speaker

What Causes Mascne (Face Mask Acne), and How to Treat It

Just in case you needed more to worry about, mask-related acne is also breaking out nationwide. Here's what's causing it and how to get it under control.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mascne-causes-and-treatments

Facebook Finally Cracks Down on QAnon

Plus: A top-secret iPod, Carnival ransomware, and more of the week’s top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-qanon-secret-ipod-carnival-ransomware-security-news

Solar Panels Are Starting to Die, Leaving Behind Toxic Trash

Photovoltaic panels are a boon for clean energy but are tricky to recycle. As the oldest ones expire, get ready for a solar e-waste glut.

source https://www.wired.com/story/solar-panels-are-starting-to-die-leaving-behind-toxic-trash

The 6 Best TVs for Every Budget (2020): TCL, Samsung, LG

WIRED tested. The best, boldest, and cheapest 4K and 8K TVs we have seen, from OLEDs to LCDs.

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

The 14 Best Weekend Deals: Earbuds, Robot Vacuums, and More

In news that’s surprisingly not bad, a lot of Nintendo Switch games are on sale.

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

A Standing Desk Changed My Life—It Can Save Yours Too

These motor-powered desks aren’t all hype. They actually do make you feel better—physically and mentally.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rave-standing-desk

Facebook's ‘Kill Switch’ Solves the Wrong Problem

If the election is disputed, the company may shut down all political advertising. Meanwhile, more harmful vectors of misinformation continue to spread.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebooks-kill-switch-solves-the-wrong-problem

The Uncanny Escapism of 'Flight Simulator 2020'

Despite its pitch for realism, the most endearing parts of Microsoft's popular flying experience are the imperfections.

source https://www.wired.com/story/flight-simulator-2020-uncanny-escapism

California Wildfires Can Create Their Own Terrifying Weather

Sparked by freak thunderstorms, the blazes changed wind patterns and could potentially lead to fire tornadoes and pyrocumulonimbus clouds.

source https://www.wired.com/story/california-wildfires-can-create-terrifying-weather

Horror Movies Seem to Really Hate the Suburbs

The doom of a cul-de-sac has long been a Hollywood staple.

source https://www.wired.com/2020/08/geeks-guide-horror-movies-suburbs

A Former Uber Exec's Indictment Is a Warning Shot

Prosecutors allege that former Uber security chief Joseph Sullivan covered up a major breach, in the first high-profile case of its kind.

source https://www.wired.com/story/uber-exec-joe-sullivan-data-breach-indictment

How the Pandemic Reshaped Election Campaigns—Maybe Forever

The digital infrastructures have been under construction for years. But the pandemic has forced candidates to embrace them and to get creative with how they use them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/pandemic-reshaped-2020-election-campaigns-democrats-republicans

9 Best Cheap Laptops for 2020: Our Picks for $700 or Less

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

Apple's $2 Trillion Valuation Weakens Its Fight Over Fortnite

Plus: Steve Jobs on apps, Bill Gates on the TikTok sale, and bad weather getting worse.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-apples-dollar2-trillion-valuation-weakens-its-fight-over-fortnite

Best Unlimited Data Plans: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon

All the major US carriers have options that let you stream as much as you want. We’ve laid out how they work, and which will give you the most bang for your buck.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-unlimited-data-plans

The DNC Is the Best Zoom Meeting of 2020—So Far

Coast-to-coast roll calls, Billie Eilish, and Meg Whitman’s quick bite—this year’s all-digital Democratic National Convention was a lesson in the new voyeurism.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dnc-long-zoom-meeting

How Secure Are Your Texts, Really?

This week, we discuss the ins and outs of encrypted messaging apps and videochat services—and why you should probably be using them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-469

Watch This Obscure Animated Classic. Never Recover

In the freaky-fantastic Hungarian film 'Son of the White Mare,' the hero breastfeeds for 14 years. Years. And that's only the beginning.

source https://www.wired.com/story/review-son-white-mare

‘DiceKeys’ Creates a Master Password for Life With One Roll

A new kit leaves your cryptographic destiny up to 25 cubes in a plastic box.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dicekeys-cryptography

97,000 People Got Convalescent Plasma. Who Knows If It Works?

A treatment made from the blood of recovered Covid-19 patients seemed promising in March. Today … well, it’s still just promising.

source https://www.wired.com/story/97000-people-got-convalescent-plasma-who-knows-if-it-works

How One Man Broke Through Google's Election Ad Defenses

A Long Island search marketer found a way to exploit Google search ads and spread misinformation about candidates. The company pledges to fix the issue.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-election-ad-defenses-loophole-trump-biden

5 Password Manager Perks You Might Not Be Using

These tools don't just keep your accounts safe and secure. Here's how you can use them to streamline your whole online experience.

source https://www.wired.com/story/password-manager-tips-features

A Rocket Scientist’s Love Algorithm Adds Up During Covid-19

On the brink of a breakup, a JPL engineer computed a relationship prediction formula. It eventually became a dating app—and its value is rising in the midst of a pandemic.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rocket-scientists-love-algorithm-adds-up-during-covid-19

This Team Made a $500 Ventilator—but It May Never Be Used

Fears of a ventilator shortage inspired doctors and engineers to improvise new designs. Inside the race to build a cheap, reliable machine.

source https://www.wired.com/story/team-made-dollar500-ventilator-may-never-used

Uber and Lyft Win a Reprive, and Won't Quit California—for Now

An appeals court delayed a requirement that the companies treat drivers as employees. Voters will ultimately decide through a November ballot measure.

source https://www.wired.com/story/uber-lyft-win-reprive-wont-quit-california-now

How Four Brothers Allegedly Fleeced $19 Million From Amazon

The scheme involved 7,000 $94 toothbrushes, according to law enforcement.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-four-brothers-allegedly-fleeced-19-million-amazon

Steve Bannon, a $25M Border Wall Campaign, and a GoFundMe Gone Bad

We Build the Wall raised millions. Now the DOJ says its operators—including the former Trump aide—skimmed hundreds of thousands off the top.

source https://www.wired.com/story/steve-bannon-charged-border-wall-gofundme-gone-bad

This Plane Flies Itself. We Went for a Ride

Xwing is testing a Cessna that's controlled from the ground, not the cockpit. Its goal is to automate as much as possible, while keeping a human in the loop.

source https://www.wired.com/story/autonomous-plane-xwing

Ever Seen Inside a Mummified Cat? Well Now You Have

Here's how scientists used a fancy microCT scanner to peer inside the remains of a cat, bird, and snake from ancient Egypt.

source https://www.wired.com/story/see-inside-a-mummified-ancient-egyptian-cat

California's Wildfire and Covid-19 Disasters Just Collided

Rare thunderstorms have peppered the California landscape with conflagrations, pouring smoke into the Bay Area—all as the state struggles with the pandemic.

source https://www.wired.com/story/californias-wildfire-and-covid-19-disasters-just-collided

GrillGrates Review: A Good Upgrade for Gas Grills

These replacement grates can upgrade a gas grill by improving its heat distribution. But not everyone will see the same results.

source https://www.wired.com/review/grillgrates

Hydroxychloroquine Is Toast. Now Say Hi to Its 'Dirty' Cousin

Amodiaquine, a related treatment for malaria, can beat back Covid-19 in hamsters. But if this drug, too, gets overhyped, there will be awful consequences.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hydroxychloroquine-is-toast-now-say-hi-to-its-dirty-cousin

Google Expands Its Fire-Tracking Tools in Maps and Search

A feature that maps wildfires in near-real time is getting a much bigger rollout as the western US continues to blaze.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-expands-fire-tracking-tools-maps-search

The 24 Best Cloth Face Masks: Ones We Actually Like to Wear

WIRED tested. With the Coronavirus pandemic ongoing, we've gathered the WIRED team's favorite face coverings for running, walking, and going to work.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-face-masks

Office Life at the Pentagon Is Disconcertingly Retrograde

With no connectivity and little diversity, the military's hub may soon be a threat to national security.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-office-life-at-the-pentagon-is-disconcertingly-retrograde

What Happens If Uber and Lyft Flee California? Look at Austin

The ride-hail services are threatening to stop service in the Golden State to protest a judge's ruling. They did something similar in Texas in 2016.

source https://www.wired.com/story/uber-lyft-flee-california-austin

The Best Dyson Vacuums (2020): V11, V8, and More

It's easy to get sucked into the brand's vast catalog. Here are the ones that floored us.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-dyson-vacuums

How to Stop Butt Dialing Everyone with Your Smartphone

The age of touchscreens hasn't stopped pocket dialing. Here's how you can put an end to it once and for all.

source https://www.wired.com/story/stop-pocket-butt-dialing

While Big Tech Prospers, an Eviction Crisis Looms Next Door

Over 40,000 families in Silicon Valley are at risk of losing their homes. Could tech offices, vacated during the pandemic, offer some emergency relief?

source https://www.wired.com/story/silicon-valley-eviction-crisis-looms-pandemic

The Race to Collect the Pandemic's History—as It Unfolds

From protest signs to bottles of Purell, archivists and curators are hurrying to preserve the artifacts of 2020 before they're lost.

source https://www.wired.com/story/archiving-covid-19-blm-protest-history

Retro Gaming's Misogyny Is Brought to Light After a Violent Tragedy

A retro game champion is suspected of killing an ex-girlfriend and then himself. Gamers now say they warned others about his threatening behavior for years.

source https://www.wired.com/story/retro-gaming-violent-tragedy-rudy-ferretti

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Wields Brevity as a Superpower

Skilled in the conciseness of Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, the congressperson said all she needed to say in the short time she was given at the DNC.

source https://www.wired.com/story/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-dnc

That Racist Kamala Harris Birther Conspiracy Is Nothing New

The falsehood that the senator isn't really a US citizen comes from an old playbook.

source https://www.wired.com/story/kamala-harris-racist-conspiracy-theories

Facebook's Portal Device Can Now Do Zoom Calls

BlueJeans, GoToMeeting, and Webex are also among the services now supported by the videochat gadget.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-portal-zoom-calls

The Pandemic Is Forcing Everyone to Face the Digital Divide

Editor in chief Nicholas Thompson sits down with WIRED reporters to talk about how another round of remote learning could deepen education inequality in the US.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-pandemic-is-forcing-everyone-to-face-the-digital-divide

New Data on How Many Kids Got That Covid Mystery Illness

A few young patients also develop strange inflammatory symptoms. A CDC report sheds light on how widespread this syndrome is, and what it could mean for vaccines.

source https://www.wired.com/story/new-data-on-how-many-kids-got-that-covid-mystery-illness

Skewed Grading Algorithms Fuel Backlash Beyond the Classroom

Thousands protest in the UK after a formula replaced a test that influences college placement. It's led to broader scrutiny of automation and inequality.

source https://www.wired.com/story/skewed-grading-algorithms-fuel-backlash-beyond-classroom

9 Best Keyboards for Gaming (and a Little Work, Too)

Whether you're looking to boost your productivity or your Fortnite stats, these are the top typing peripherals for the job.

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

Amazon Fire Tablet Deals: Kids Edition $50 Off, and More

If you're looking to intro your children to tablets, Amazon's Fire tablets are a great deal right now.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazons-fire-hd-tablets-sale-aug-2020

A New Study Suggests a Possible Disease Vector: Germy Dust

Since the pandemic’s beginning, scientists have argued over how respiratory viruses can spread. Now an experiment with guinea pigs and influenza is adding a new wrinkle.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-study-suggests-a-possible-disease-vector-germy-dust

How Financial Apps Get You to Spend More and Question Less

You should never invest without fully understanding the risks, but tax prep and stock trading services often obfuscate the things you really need to know.

source https://www.wired.com/story/financial-apps-investing-dark-patterns

Parenting in the Age of the Pandemic Pod

We talked to parents about how they’re juggling caring for their kids, schools “reopening,” and trying desperately to do their jobs.

source https://www.wired.com/story/parenting-pandemic-pod

Wait, How Much Microplastic Is Swirling in the Atlantic?

Scientists calculate that the top 200 meters of ocean alone contains up to 21 million metric tons of plastic. And that wasn't even counting microfibers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-much-microplastic-is-swirling-in-the-atlantic

The Attack That Broke Twitter Is Hitting Dozens of Companies

“Phone spear phishing” attacks have been on the rise since a bitcoin scam took over the social media platform in July.

source https://www.wired.com/story/phone-spear-phishing-twitter-crime-wave

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review: Ultimate Android

This phone crams in all the extras you'd want. But the price is steep.

source https://www.wired.com/review/samsung-galaxy-note-20-ultra

In a Touch-Free World, the QR Code Is Having Its Moment

Once dismissed as a marketing gimmick, the black and white patterns are proving their worth during the coronavirus pandemic.

source https://www.wired.com/story/in-a-touch-free-world-the-qr-code-is-having-its-moment

The YOLOers vs. Distancers Feud Is Tearing Us Apart

Covid-19 has given rise to a new blood feud—and the two camps are increasingly blaming each other for everything the pandemic has wrought.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-yoloers-vs-distancers-feud-is-tearing-us-apart

Ratio Eight Coffee Maker Review: A Near-Perfect Chemex-Style Pot

A beautiful but expensive machine for aficionados of Chemex-style coffee.

source https://www.wired.com/review/ratio-eight-coffee-maker

How to Get the Most Out of Signal and Encrypted Chat

The best end-to-end encrypted messaging app has a host of security features. Here are the ones you should care about.

source https://www.wired.com/story/signal-tips-private-messaging-encryption

A Move for Driverless Mass Transit Hits Speed Bumps

Pilot projects for autonomous shuttles abound. But technical limitations and hostility from labor unions may thwart large deployments

source https://www.wired.com/story/driverless-mass-transit-hits-speed-bumps

Six-Word Sci-Fi: A Story About the Upside of Failure

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-upside-of-failure

Tech Workers Are Living the American Dream—in Canada

The short-sighted immigration policies of the US administration is driving top talent north of the border.

source https://www.wired.com/story/immigrant-tech-workers-american-dream-canada

What French Feminism Can Teach Us About Karens

The latest viral female archetype is complicated. Dramatizing her entitlement, she's at once familiar to the philosophers and a new phenomenon entirely.

source https://www.wired.com/story/french-feminism-karens

Kid-Friendly Tablets for Homework and Playtime

Depending on how schools—and your workplace—reopen, your sanity may depend on more screen time for your children. Choose the right screen.

source https://www.wired.com/story/kid-friendly-tablets-head-to-head

‘Real’ Programming Is an Elitist Myth

When people build a database to manage reading lists or feed their neighbors, that’s coding—and culture.

source https://www.wired.com/story/databases-coding-real-programming-myth

The Dangers of Seeing the World Through Ubiquitous Video

Moving images bombard our brains and fog our thoughts—but every now and then they expand our minds.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dangers-ubiquitous-video-propaganda

Honestly, Just Vote In Person—It’s Safer Than You Think

The panic over the US Postal Service is legitimate, but here’s the good news: It's not that risky to cast a ballot by hand.

source https://www.wired.com/story/honestly-just-vote-in-person-its-safer-than-you-think

'Lovecraft Country' Is a Necessary Re-Imagining of Genre Fiction

HBO's new series reclaims sci-fi and horror from their exclusionary, often racist roots.

source https://www.wired.com/story/lovecraft-country-essay

7 Best Gaming Headsets for PS4, Xbox, PC, and Switch

We picked the best gaming headsets for every budget and gaming system—PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mac, and mobile.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-gaming-headsets

This Cobalt-Free Battery Is Good for the Planet—and It Actually Works

Reducing the cobalt content in lithium-ion batteries is good for the environment, human rights, and maybe even the performance of the battery itself.

source https://www.wired.com/story/this-cobalt-free-battery-is-good-for-the-planet-and-it-actually-works

A Radical New Model of the Brain Illuminates Its Wiring

Network neuroscience could revolutionize how we understand the brain—and  change our approach to neurological and psychiatric disorders.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-radical-new-model-of-the-brain-illuminates-its-wiring

Direct Action Everywhere Uses VR to Take Viewers Inside Factory Farms

In the first of a two-part Get WIRED podcast series, we look at the radical, virtual-reality-based tactics of animal-rights group Direct Action Everywhere.

source https://www.wired.com/story/get-wired-podcast-5-wayne-hsiung-direct-action-everywhere

A Week of Uncontrolled Sobbing at a Chinese Business Seminar

I went to a self-breakthrough workshop in Beijing to decipher the country’s tech culture. I left with a transformed vision of my Chinese American self.

source https://www.wired.com/story/chinese-business-seminar-zhen-academy

Tired of Gmail? Try a Privacy-First Email Provider

Your inbox holds plenty of sensitive information. Here are some alternatives that put your correspondence under lock and key.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tired-of-gmail-try-a-privacy-first-email-provider

'Sims 4' Packs Reviewed: Every Expansion Pack, Game Pack, Stuff Pack

We tried all 34 packs of stuff you can buy for your Sims. Here's what we think of each one and the best ones to get for $200 or less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sims-4-expansion-packs-game-packs-stuff-packs

A Landmark Math Proof Clears a Hurdle in the Top Erdős Conjecture

Two mathematicians have proved the first leg of the Hungarian scholar's all-time favorite problem about number patterns.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-landmark-math-proof-clears-a-hurdle-in-the-top-erdos-conjecture

5 Best Password Managers of 2020: Features, Pricing, and Tips

Keep your logins under lock and key. We picked our favorites for PC, Mac, Android, iPhone, and web browsers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-password-managers

9 Apps to Boost Your Phone's Security and Privacy

Android and iOS are getting better about protecting your data and device. But if you're looking for an extra line of defense, these can help.

source https://www.wired.com/story/9-apps-smartphone-security

An Algorithm Determined UK Students' Grades. Chaos Ensued

This year's A-Levels, the high-stakes exams taken in high school, were canceled due to the pandemic. The alternative only exacerbated existing inequities.

source https://www.wired.com/story/an-algorithm-determined-uk-students-grades-chaos-ensued

Nanoinfluencers Are Slyly Barnstorming the 2020 Election

Beware! Digital door knockers with small followings are posting often subliminal paid ads on social media.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-nanoinfluencers-are-slyly-barnstorming-the-2020-election

How to Pick the Best Roku Device: A Guide to Each Model (2020)

WIRED Tested. There are a lot of Roku devices for sale, and the differences between them are confusing. We break down exactly which Roku is best for your TV.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/how-to-pick-the-right-roku

The NSA and FBI Expose Fancy Bear's Sneaky Hacking Tool

Plus: TikTok tracking, Russian SIMs, and more of this week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nsa-russian-hacking-revolte-tiktok-security-news

Midea U-Shaped Window Air Conditioner Review (2020)

This unique and smart machine avoids the usual pitfalls of box-shaped window ACs while keeping you cool and calm.

source https://www.wired.com/review/midea-u-shaped-air-conditioner

Want to Save Lives? Name Heat Waves Like Hurricanes

As temperatures soar into the the triple digits, the Extreme Heat Resilience Alliance says such names will spark public awareness and encourage safety measures.

source https://www.wired.com/story/want-to-save-lives-name-heat-waves-like-hurricanes

The 15 Best Weekend Deals: Apple Accessories, Games, and More

Need a mug to keep coffee warm for more than 30 minutes? How about a videogame to help you relax? We've found plenty of discounts to help.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-august-15-2020

ATM Hackers Have Picked Up Some Clever New Tricks

Over the last few years, so-called jackpotting attacks have gotten increasingly sophisticated—while cash machines remain largely the same.

source https://www.wired.com/story/atm-hackers-jackpotting-remote-malware

Why Derechos Are So Devilishly Difficult to Predict

The destructive storms, with winds over 75 miles per hour, are often compared to inland hurricanes. But unlike a hurricane, a derecho can come out of nowhere.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-derechos-are-so-devilishly-difficult-to-predict

If Only Any of the 'Hobbit' Movies Were the Right Length

Peter Jackson's trilogy is too long, the Rankin/Bass cartoon from the 1970s is too short. The proper length is somewhere in between.

source https://www.wired.com/2020/08/geeks-guide-hobbit-movies

The Very 2020 Ascent of Sarah Cooper

The comedian, whose impersonations of Trump garnered a huge following on social media, is now hosting late-night and getting her own Netflix special.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sarah-cooper-netflix-special

From Ellen DeGeneres to Tom Hanks, QAnon Has Infiltrated the Hollywood Rumor Mill

Plus: Kamala Harris' stance on Section 230, a doctor's duty to misinformed patients, and an iconic new Airbnb.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-qanon-has-infiltrated-the-hollywood-rumor-mill

Who Needs a Folding Phone, Anyway?

This week, we look at the Microsoft Surface Duo and wonder if an expensive, dual-screen device like this one feels relevant, or just needlessly extravagant.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-468

Makeup Classes Have Gone Virtual—and We Tried One Out

Many small companies and beauticians have updated in-store lessons for the new stay-at-home world. Think beauty YouTube, but better.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rise-of-virtual-makeup-classes-blushington

Making a Covid-19 Vaccine Is Hard. Making One for Kids Is Harder

As researchers deepen their understanding of children’s role in the pandemic, some argue they are being overlooked in the race to a vaccine.

source https://www.wired.com/story/making-a-covid-19-vaccine-is-hard-making-one-for-kids-is-harder

'Project Power' Is a Secret Lesson About Science's Dark Side

Netflix's new film updates a played-out superhero trope with a hidden message about the evils of human experimentation.

source https://www.wired.com/story/project-power-science-history

Epic Games' Lawsuit Fires a Shot at Apple's App Store 'Monopoly'

The Fortnite developer filed a suit today in California that suggests it may even want to launch its own app store on iOS.

source https://www.wired.com/story/epic-games-sues-apple-fortnite-app-store

ISIS Allegedly Ran a Covid-19 PPE Scam Site

The Justice Department says that an agent of the terrorist organization operated FaceMaskCenter.com, in part of a series of cryptocurrency-related complaints.

source https://www.wired.com/story/isis-allegedly-ran-a-covid-19-ppe-scam-site

The Logic Around Contact Tracing Apps Is All Wrong

Rather than tracking individual exposures, we should be using them for real-time info on what activities and locations may be responsible for the spread.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-logic-around-contact-tracing-apps-is-all-wrong

Motorola Edge and Edge Plus Review: 2-Day Battery (and Some Quirks)

Motorola's first flagships in years are fantastic in many ways, but the Edge and Edge Plus have high price tags and too many quirks.

source https://www.wired.com/review/moto-edge-plus

A Plan to Turn Military Bases Into ‘Sandboxes’ for 5G

A top Trump adviser outlines a blueprint for experimenting with wireless tech on bases and using software to counter China's lead in hardware.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plan-military-bases-sandboxes-5g

Samsung's Galaxy Buds Live Review: Weird But Good

They won't grow a magic beanstalk, but the Galaxy Buds Live offer a unique fit, good sound with decent noise-canceling, and a price that's easy to stomach.

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

Photoshop Will Help ID Images That Have Been … Photoshopped

Adobe is adding technology to tag images with metadata, part of an effort to identify deepfakes and other efforts at manipulation.

source https://www.wired.com/story/photoshop-id-images-photoshopped-deepfake

She Helped Wreck the News Business. Here’s Her Plan to Fix It

Nandini Jammi’s advertiser boycotts scared brands away from journalism and into shady ad tech. Now she wants to teach marketers to think for themselves again.

source https://www.wired.com/story/she-helped-wreck-the-news-business-heres-her-plan-to-fix-it

Should We Conserve Parasites? Apparently, Yes

A group of ecologists and biologists say the world's ticks, leeches, and tapeworms need love and conservation, too. Now they've got a 12-point plan.

source https://www.wired.com/story/should-we-conserve-parasites-apparently-yes

One IT Guy’s Spreadsheet-Fueled Race to Restore Voting Rights

This fall, thousands will show up to vote only to find out they’ve been purged. Lots of activists—and one Ohio man with lots of cats—are on a quest to fix that.

source https://www.wired.com/story/election-voting-rights-spreadsheet-patriot

An Alexa Bug Could Have Exposed Your Voice History to Hackers

Amazon has patched the flaw, but its discovery underscores the importance of locking down your voice assistant interactions.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-alexa-bug-exposed-voice-history-hackers

'Spree' Is Nasty, Clever Satire for the Influencer Era

I never want to watch this movie again. 5/5 stars.

source https://www.wired.com/story/spree-movie-review

The Iconic Arecibo Telescope Goes Quiet After Major Damage

A cable cut a large gash into the radio telescope this week and it’s uncertain when it will be back in working order.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-iconic-arecibo-telescope-goes-quiet-after-major-damage

How to Turn Your Camera into a Webcam: Canon, Fujifilm, GoPro, and More

Months into the pandemic, webcams are still hard to find. But if you're a shutterbug, you already have a better option.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-turn-your-camera-into-a-webcam

Microsoft Duo: Price, Details, Release Date

Microsoft has had to shift its sales pitch from a “work” product to “staying home indefinitely” device.

source https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-surface-duo-price-release-date

Google Is Launching a Global Earthquake-Detection Network

A new feature will allow Android devices to collect readings from smartphone sensors and warn users when a tectonic shake-up is imminent.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-is-launching-a-global-earthquake-detection-network

AI Magic Makes Century-Old Films Look New

Denis Shiryaev uses algorithms to colorize and sharpen old movies, bumping them up to a smooth 60 frames per second. The result is a stunning glimpse at the past.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ai-magic-makes-century-old-films-look-new

Cannondale Quick Neo SL Review (2020): A Fast, Fun E-Ride

This is a powerful electric bike for fun, mostly on-road romps around town.

source https://www.wired.com/review/cannondale-quick-neo-series

How to Make Remote Learning Work for Your Children

If you're preparing for yet another round of homeschooling, we've identified a few ways to make this school year suck just a little bit less.

source https://www.wired.com/story/remote-learning-school-coronavirus-tips

How Facebook and Other Sites Manipulate Your Privacy Choices

Social media platforms repeatedly use so-called dark patterns to nudge you toward giving away more of your data.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-social-media-privacy-dark-patterns

Scientists Put Masks to the Test—With an iPhone and a Laser

When it comes to blocking germs, not all cloth masks are created equal. A new, low-cost testing device literally illuminates which ones won’t get the job done.

source https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-put-masks-to-the-test-with-an-iphone-and-a-laser

The Furious Hunt for the MAGA Bomber

Scarred by trauma and devoted to Trump, a man began mailing explosives to the president’s critics on the eve of an election. Inside the race to catch him.

source https://www.wired.com/story/furious-hunt-maga-mail-bomber

With VP Pick Kamala Harris, Joe Biden Gets a Digital Juggernaut

The senator and her team have earned a reputation for savvy online organizing. That could come in handy for a socially distanced presidential campaign.

source https://www.wired.com/story/kamala-harris-vp-joe-biden-gets-digital-juggernaut

When Private Security Cameras Are Police Surveillance Tools

Civil rights activists warn of "mission creep," as cameras installed to prevent break-ins are increasingly used to monitor protesters and communities of color.

source https://www.wired.com/story/private-security-cameras-police-surveillance-tools

How Google Meet Weathered the Work-From-Home Explosion

In the early months of Covid-19, Google's video conferencing platform grew exponentially. Keeping the lights on was no easy task.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-google-meet-weathered-work-from-home-explosion

Maybe Netflix and Amazon Should Just Buy Theater Chains

The rules banning movie studios from owning cinemas have been overturned—just in time for theaters in need of a bailout.

source https://www.wired.com/story/netflix-amazon-theater-chains

A New Survey Links Vaping to Higher Covid-19 Risk

A Stanford University report shows that teens and young adults who use e-cigarettes are five to seven times more likely to test positive for the virus.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-survey-links-vaping-to-higher-covid-19-risk

Best Unlimited Data Plans: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon

All the major US carriers have options that let you stream as much as you want. We've laid out how they work, and which will give you the most bang for your buck.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-unlimited-data-plans

Foodies and Factory Farmers Have Formed an Unholy Alliance

Their swipes at fake-meat products—Impossible Burgers, Beyond Meat, and all the rest—are pretty much the same.

source https://www.wired.com/story/foodies-and-factory-farmers-have-formed-an-unholy-alliance

Solve the Covid-19 Testing Crunch, Win $5 Million

For decades, governments and private organizations like Xprize have put up prizes to spur scientific innovation. But how much can contests help in a crisis?

source https://www.wired.com/story/solve-the-covid-19-testing-crunch-win-dollar5-million

San Francisco Was Uniquely Prepared for Covid-19

Why did an American city beset by inequality and dysfunction face the onset of the pandemic so well? Because history left it ready for this moment.

source https://www.wired.com/story/san-francisco-uniquely-prepared-covid-19

The White House Announces a Plan to Speed the Rollout of 5G

The Pentagon will share part of the wireless spectrum, allowing telecom carriers to reach more areas with fewer cell towers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/white-house-plan-speed-rollout-5g

Google's Pixel 4 Is One of the Best Phones, and It's $250 Off

Google's discontinued handset likely won't be available much longer, but it will still get years of software support.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-pixel-4-august-2020-deal

Belarus Has Shut Down the Internet Amid a Controversial Election

Human rights organizations have blamed the Belarusian government for widespread outages.

source https://www.wired.com/story/belarus-internet-outage-election

Over a Billion Android Devices Are at Risk of Data Theft

Qualcomm has released a fix for the flaws in its Snapdragon chip, which attackers might exploit to monitor location or render the phone unresponsive.

source https://www.wired.com/story/over-a-billion-android-devices-are-at-risk-of-data-theft

BLM Supporters More Likely to Combat Hate in Videogames, Too

But our new survey found that just 20 percent of gamers say they stand up to harassment when they see it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/blm-supporters-more-likely-combat-hate-videogames-survey

Moog Music Subharmonicon Review: A Strange but Wild Musical Escape

Moog Music's Subharmonicon is a mashup of two legendary synths that can help unblock your stifled creativity.

source https://www.wired.com/review/moog-music-subharmonicon

Why Wikipedia Decided to Stop Calling Fox a ‘Reliable’ Source

The move offered a new model for moderation. Maybe other platforms will take note.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-wikipedia-decided-to-stop-calling-fox-a-reliable-source

Why Do Solar Farms Kill Birds? Call in the AI Bird Watcher

Solar facilities kill tens of thousands of birds every year, and no one is quite sure why. An artificial-intelligence-powered birder is on the case.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-do-solar-farms-kill-birds-call-in-the-ai-bird-watcher

Bill Gates Is Still Optimistic

On the Get WIRED podcast, the philanthropist and Microsoft cofounder tackles everything from Covid-19 vaccine development to TikTok.

source https://www.wired.com/story/get-wired-podcast-4-bill-gates

Covid-19 Drug Research Is a Big Huge Mess

Scientists have been studying treatments for the disease for half a year. Lack of coordination and a broken system mean they still don’t know very much.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-drug-research-is-a-big-huge-mess

Field Trip's App Wants to Guide Your Next Psychedelic Journey

Field Trip offers supervised, in-clinic drug experiences to treat some mental illnesses. But if you want to keep your social distance, an app to stand watch could be the next-best thing.

source https://www.wired.com/story/field-trip-psychedelics

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

WIRED Tested. 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

A British AI Tool to Predict Violent Crime Is Too Flawed to Use

A government-funded system known as Most Serious Violence was built to predict first offenses but turned out to be wildly inaccurate.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-british-ai-tool-to-predict-violent-crime-is-too-flawed-to-use

How to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning & Prevent Heat Exhaustion

If you don't have AC at home, or are stuck in the heat outdoors, we have tips and gear for you.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning

What If the Big Bang Was Actually a Big Bounce?

New computer simulations model an alternate way of thinking about the cosmos: as a cyclic universe that has no beginning or end.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-if-the-big-bang-was-actually-a-big-bounce

Flaws Could Have Exposed Cryptocurrency Exchanges to Hackers

Researchers found troubling bugs in open-source libraries used by financial institutions.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cryptocurrency-exchanges-key-flaws-hackers

How to Install Apps From Outside Your Phone's App Store

You don't have to stay inside Google and Apple's walled gardens. But if you choose to venture out, proceed with caution.

source https://www.wired.com/story/install-apps-outside-app-store-sideload

Trump's WeChat Ban May Alienate His Chinese Supporters

Not only is the app many Americans' primary means of communicating with China, it's also been the mobilizing arm of Chinese Trumpism.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-trumps-wechat-ban-may-alienate-his-chinese-supporters

Cheap Gear Under $20: Phone Lenses, Pocketknives, and More

Do you need a small, cheap way to improve your life? These are the affordable pick-me-ups that we can't live without.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/our-favorite-gear-under-20-dollars

The NSA's Tips to Keep Your Phone From Tracking You

Plus: A Canon ransomware hack, a nasty Twitter bug, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nsa-tips-smartphone-data-canon-ransomware-twitter-bug-security-news

How to Use Nearby Share on Android

Just like AirDrop on Apple devices, you're now able to send almost anything to your contacts close by.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-nearby-share-android

A Satellite Spots 11 New Emperor Penguin Colonies

Good news! An orbiter saw signs of almost a dozen previously uncounted colonies in Antarctica, boosting known numbers for a threatened species.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-satellite-spots-11-new-emperor-penguin-colonies

Intel Is Investigating How Confidential Data Ended Up Online

The leak contains information that the company makes available to partners and customers under NDA. A researcher says it came from a breach.

source https://www.wired.com/story/intel-is-investigating-how-confidential-data-ended-up-online

As Restaurants Move to the Cloud, Something Is Missing

Thousands of eateries are closing amid the pandemic. Delivery specialists are popping up, but some worry about a loss of culture and community.

source https://www.wired.com/story/restaurants-move-cloud-something-missing

15 Best Weekend Deals: Headphones, Phones, TVs, and More

From $5 iPhone cases to a discounted LG OLED, we've rounded up sales on some of our favorite gear.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-aug-8-2020

How to Plan a Road Trip During the Pandemic: Gear and Tips

You might have had to cancel your trip to Hawaii, but you can still go on an end-of-summer expedition.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-road-trip-gear-and-tips

Home Office Setup Guide: The Best Gear for Working at Home

Do you need a monitor, desk, webcam, laptop, microphone, or pair of headphones? Here's our ultimate laundry list of recommended gear to improve your new home office.

source https://www.wired.com/story/work-from-home-home-office-gear-guide

Hackers Flood Reddit With Pro-Trump Takeovers

By apparently compromising moderator accounts, the attackers were able to plaster MAGA materials all over at least 70 popular subreddits.

source https://www.wired.com/story/pro-trump-hackers-flood-reddit-maga-takeovers

Trump's Executive Orders Hurt More Than TikTok and WeChat

The president's latest actions against China may affect US tech firms, and Americans who communicate overseas through the social apps.

source https://www.wired.com/story/trumps-executive-orders-hurt-more-tiktok-wechat

'Ultima' Fandom Is Still Going Strong

Need proof? 'Spam Spam Spam Humbug,' a podcast dedicated to the computer role-playing games, is now in its fifth year.

source https://www.wired.com/2020/08/geeks-guide-ultima-fandom

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

Pick up a Switch recently or looking for an upgrade? Here are some screen protectors, chargers, and other accoutrements for your new best friend.

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

Hulu Cancels 'High Fidelity' Right When We Need It Most

At the beginning of quarantine, it was a lifeline for folks missing the thing people used to call “going out.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/high-fidelity

Will TikTok Lead Trump to Build America’s Own Great Firewall?

Plus: Absurd takes from the archives, a tribute to small devices, and another setback for Covid testing.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-will-tiktok-lead-trump-to-build-americas-own-great-firewall

Burgers Won't Save the Planet—but Fast Food Might

Fast food joints are cheap, convenient, and widely available. And if they swapped out beef for alternative proteins, they could transform the food system.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-burgers-wont-save-the-planet-but-fast-food-might

No, Really—These Republicans Are Serious About Big Tech Antitrust

Last week’s hearing with Silicon Valley CEOs provided a rare glimmer of hope that Congress can, occasionally, work across the aisle.

source https://www.wired.com/story/republicans-serious-big-tech-antitrust-armstrong-buck

The End Is Nearer for ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Food Wrappers

Your takeout may come with a dose of chemicals known as PFAS—but the FDA’s push to get rid of some of them will take five years.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-end-is-nearer-for-forever-chemicals-in-food-wrappers

Do You Really Need to Spend More Than $400 on a Phone?

This week, we discuss the growing trend of mid-range smartphones, why they’re good, and why they’re bad.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-467

Bill Gates on Covid: Most US Tests Are ‘Completely Garbage’

The techie-turned-philanthropist on vaccines, Trump, and why social media is “a poisoned chalice.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/bill-gates-on-covid-most-us-tests-are-completely-garbage

A ‘Covid Slide’ Could Widen the Digital Divide for Students

As coronavirus cases rise, many school districts will begin the year with at least some online learning. Students without tech access could fall further behind.

source https://www.wired.com/story/schools-digital-divide-remote-learning

How Bloomberg's Digital Army Is Still Fighting for Democrats

With expensive data and tech heavy hitters, Hawkfish is backing the former mayor's promise to take on Donald Trump.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hawkfish-bloomberg-digital-army-fighting-for-democrats

Yes, Emissions Have Fallen. That Won't Fix Climate Change

The drop in carbon pollution will only cool the planet a tiny bit. So how about this: Revive the economy and the Earth by pouring money into green tech.

source https://www.wired.com/story/emissions-have-fallen-that-wont-fix-climate-change

The Tragic Physics of the Deadly Explosion in Beirut

A blast injury specialist explores the chemistry—and history—of explosions like the one captured in videos that swept across the world.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tragic-physics-deadly-explosion-beirut

Uber's Now a Food Delivery Company—and It's Still Losing Money

The pandemic has slashed demand for rides and boosted orders for UberEats. Neither segment is profitable.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ubers-food-delivery-company-losing-money

Chinese Hackers Have Pillaged Taiwan's Semiconductor Industry

A campaign called Operation Skeleton Key has stolen source code, software development kits, chip designs, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/chinese-hackers-taiwan-semiconductor-industry-skeleton-key

Hybrid Schooling Is the Most Dangerous Option of All

It's supposed to be the perfect compromise between in-person and online education. But it may well be a public health nightmare.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hybrid-schooling-is-the-most-dangerous-option-of-all

Why Do Razor Blades Dull So Quickly?

An MIT team tackled the mystery of why something as soft as hair can erode a steel blade, hoping to figure out how to make shaving tools last longer.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-do-razor-blades-dull-so-quickly

The US Is Disastrously Behind in Covid-19 Testing. Again

With infections rampant in parts of the nation, backlogs are preventing people from getting timely test results, hampering efforts to contain the virus.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-us-is-disastrously-behind-in-covid-19-testing-again

The Quest to Liberate $300K of Bitcoin From an Old ZIP File

The story of a guy who wouldn't let a few quintillion possible decryption keys stand between him and his cryptocurrency.

source https://www.wired.com/story/quest-to-liberate-bitcoin-from-old-zip-file

Microsoft's Roots in China Have Positioned It to Buy TikTok

Alumni of the software giant's Beijing research lab are now executives at Alibaba, Tencent, SenseTime—and TikTok parent ByteDance.

source https://www.wired.com/story/microsofts-roots-china-positioned-buy-tiktok

Sony WH-1000XM4 Review: The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

These noise-canceling headphones silence the world better than most, and the mics are now actually usable on phone calls.

source https://www.wired.com/review/sony-wh-1000xm4-headphones

Facebook Has More to Learn From the Ad Boycott

Rashad Robinson, an organizer behind the Stop Hate for Profit boycott, says civil rights groups can’t be left to police the company by themselves.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rashad-robinson-facebook-ad-boycott

7 Best Cheap Smartphones for 2020 (iPhone, Android)

There's little reason to pay top dollar for a phone these days. These are our favorite Android devices and iPhones for $200 to $500.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-cheap-phones

How the US Can Prevent the Next 'Cyber 9/11'

In an interview with WIRED, former national intelligence official Sue Gordon discusses Russian election interference and other digital threats to democracy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-the-us-can-prevent-the-next-cyber-911

The Wonderful Instagram World Where Thor Is a Drag Performer

And Meryl Streep holds a riding crop. And ... Digital satirist Ronald McDonkey's images challenge the idea of fame and our relationship to it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ronald-mcdonkey

The Feds Want These Teams to Hack a Satellite—From Home

Meet the hackers who, this weekend, will try to commandeer an actual orbiter as part of a Defcon contest hosted by the Air Force and the Defense Digital Service.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-feds-want-these-teams-to-hack-a-satellite-from-home

Scientists May Be Using the Wrong Cells to Study Covid-19

How did an African green monkey that died in 1962 get involved in the biggest research debacle of this pandemic?

source https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-may-be-using-the-wrong-cells-to-study-covid-19

The Subtle Tricks Shopping Sites Use to Make You Spend More

Through deceptive designs known as “dark patterns,” online retailers try to nudge you toward purchases you wouldn’t otherwise make.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-online-retail-dark-patterns

Could a Janky, Jury-Rigged Air Purifier Help Fight Covid-19?

Indoor air experts think: Sure, maybe. Why the hell not? We convinced the CEO of an air filter company to give it a try.

source https://www.wired.com/story/could-a-janky-jury-rigged-air-purifier-help-fight-covid-19

Israeli Hackers Develop Tech to Combat Domestic Violence

A three-day hackathon produced a promising set of mobile apps for helping women in crisis, and for stopping violence against women before it occurs.

source https://www.wired.com/story/israeli-hackathon-domestic-violence

Dutch Hackers Found a Simple Way to Mess With Traffic Lights

By reverse engineering apps intended for cyclists, security researchers found they could cause delays in at least 10 cities from anywhere in the world.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hacking-traffic-lights-netherlands

Voting Machine Makers Are Finally Playing Nice With Hackers

After years of secrecy, one major election tech company is giving more hackers a look under the hood.

source https://www.wired.com/story/voting-machine-makers-hackers-ess

Trump's TikTok Drama Is a Distraction

As the White House zeroes in on a single app, some experts say more pressing issues are going by the wayside.

source https://www.wired.com/story/trump-tiktok-drama-security-distraction

Cheap, Easy Deepfakes Are Getting Closer to the Real Thing

Using open source software and less than $100, a researcher was able to create plausible images and audio of actor Tom Hanks.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cheap-easy-deepfakes-closer-real-thing

Mulan, Tenet, and the Future of Going to the Movies

In 2020, America may ruin the American movie-going experience. But hey, if you’re willing to plop down 30 bucks, you’ll be able to watch Mulan next month.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mulan-tenet-future-of-cinema

iOS 14’s Best Privacy Feature? Catching Data-Grabbing Apps

Apple's new operating system hasn't been released to the public yet, but its new permission notifications are already shaming developers into cleaning up their acts.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ios-14s-best-privacy-feature-catching-data-grabbing-apps

10 Best Android Phones (Unlocked): Our Top Picks for 2020

WIRED Tested. Shopping for a new phone can be an ordeal. Let us take some of the pain out of it with these picks and tips.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-android-phones

Samsung Unpacked 2020: Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy Watch3, Buds Live, and Tab S7

The company's latest portfolio is filled with powerful and expensive devices.

source https://www.wired.com/story/everything-samsung-announced-at-galaxy-unpacked-august-2020

Instagram Launches Reels, Its TikTok Clone, in the US

The company is wooing creators with features they know and love, on a platform President Trump doesn’t publicly hate.

source https://www.wired.com/story/instagram-reels-tiktok-clone-launches

A New Hotline Offers Free Anonymous Support for Gamers

The Games and Online Harassment Hotline launched Tuesday as a resource for anyone to talk about the emotional issues that emerge all over the industry.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-hotline-offers-free-anonymous-support-for-gamers

An '80s File Format Enabled Stealthy Mac Hacking

The now-patched vulnerability would have let hackers target Microsoft Office using Symbolic Link—a file type that hasn't been in common use in over 30 years.

source https://www.wired.com/story/stealthy-mac-hacking-sylk-file-format-macros

Your Income Predicts How Well You Can Socially Distance

America's rich used to move around more than the poor. When Covid landed, that flipped: The wealthy now work remotely, while essential workers toil.

source https://www.wired.com/story/your-income-predicts-how-well-you-can-socially-distance

Can Killing Cookies Save Journalism?

A Dutch public broadcaster got rid of targeted digital ads—and its revenues went way up.

source https://www.wired.com/story/can-killing-cookies-save-journalism

Inside the Courthouse Break-In Spree That Landed Two White Hat Hackers in Jail

When two men were hired to break into Iowa judicial buildings, they thought it was just another physical security audit—until they were charged with burglary.

source https://www.wired.com/story/inside-courthouse-break-in-spree-that-landed-two-white-hat-hackers-in-jail

'Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout' Is a Freewheeling Breath of Fresh Air

Surviving three or four rounds of this multiplayer knock-out game makes you feel like a total athlete, even as a pirate-costumed bean

source https://www.wired.com/story/fall-guys-ultimate-knockout-impressions

Decades-Old Email Flaws Could Let Attackers Mask Their Identities

Researchers found 18 exploits that take advantage of inconsistencies in the email plumbing most people never think about.

source https://www.wired.com/story/decades-old-email-flaws-could-let-attackers-mask-identities

A Summer Camp Covid-19 Outbreak Offers Back-to-School Lessons

A CDC report from a Georgia hotspot illuminates just how easily kids can spread coronavirus, adding to our understanding of kids' role in transmission.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-summer-camp-covid-19-outbreak-offers-back-to-school-lessons

Hackers Could Use IoT Botnets to Manipulate Energy Markets

With access to just 50,000 high-wattage smart devices, attackers could make a bundle off of causing minor fluctuations.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hackers-iot-botnets-manipulate-energy-markets

Apple Just Upgraded Its iMacs, a Little

The upgrades are dramatic if you're looking for more power, but if you're holding out for Face ID or a fresh look, keep waiting.

source https://www.wired.com/story/apple-imac-august-2020-refresh

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

'Calling Bullshit' Skewers the World's BS-Merchants

Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West’s new book teaches us how to live in a world that's full of it, and how to spot BS in ourselves.

source https://www.wired.com/story/calling-bullshit-skewers-the-worlds-bs-merchants

Should Governments Slap a Tax on Plastic?

More than a billion tons of it could enter the environment in the next 20 years. It's time, advocates say, to put a sin tax on single-use plastic.

source https://www.wired.com/story/should-governments-slap-a-tax-on-plastic

Dell XPS 15 Review: A Luxury Windows Laptop

With more real estate and power, the company's roomy new laptop retains everything we like about the 13-inch—almost.

source https://www.wired.com/review/dell-xps-15-2020

There’s No Such Thing As a Tech Expert Anymore

Members of Congress clearly don’t understand the tech companies they’re supposed to regulate. But neither does anyone else.

source https://www.wired.com/story/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-tech-expert-anymore

Hackers Are Building an Army of Cheap Satellite Trackers

NyanSat is an open source ground station that lets you listen in on low-orbit transmissions for about $100 worth of gear.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nyansat-open-source-satellite-tracker

The Tech That Can Help Keep Your Dogs Happy and Healthy

You don't need a lot of gear to keep your pup's tail wagging, but the right stuff can vastly improve their lives and your relationship with them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dog-tech-health-pet-tips

The American Scientists Who Saved London From Nazi Drones

For months, German V-1s terrorized the city. To take them down, US physicists had to develop a “smart fuse”—a task they were told was practically impossible.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-american-scientists-who-saved-london-from-nazi-drones

It’s Not Just TikTok. Chinese Firms Face More US Roadblocks

Chinese companies have been free to expand in the US while American firms were stymied by Beijing. Now, the climate is not as welcoming.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-chinese-firms-face-more-us-roadblocks

TikTok and the Evolution of Digital Blackface

On the app, users drape themselves in the trappings of Black culture—and steal the viral spotlight. It’s exploitation at its most refined and disturbing.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-evolution-digital-blackface

An American Pickle Might Have Been Fresher in the 2010s

Seth Rogen's new movie is funny, although some gags meant to skewer hip Brooklynites seem strangely dated.

source https://www.wired.com/story/american-pickle-review

Google Pixel 4A Review: Nearly Perfect and Only $350

The 4A is an upgrade in almost every way over its predecessor, yet it’s cheaper. It's our new fave Android phone.

source https://www.wired.com/review/google-pixel-4a

Frog Eats Beetle. Beetle Crawls Through Guts to Escape

Regimbartia attenuata doesn’t take too kindly to being eaten. Once locked inside a frog’s maw, it turns around and starts heading for the exit.

source https://www.wired.com/story/frog-eats-beetle-beetle-crawls-through-guts

One Free Press Coalition Spotlights Journalists Under Attack - August 2020

This month's focus is on Austin Tice, an American photojournalist who has gone missing in Syria and is presumed to be alive.

source https://www.wired.com/story/one-free-press-coalition-spotlights-journalists-under-attack-august-2020

The 7 Best Chromebooks for Every Budget (2020)

WIRED Tested. If you're all in on Google services, these are our favorite ChromeOS laptops and 2-in-1 tablets for school, work, or home.

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

What Poetry Means for Doctors and Patients During a Pandemic

The poetry editor of The Journal of the American Medical Association talks about medicine, metaphor, and how literature can even improve patient outcomes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-poetry-means-for-doctors-and-patients-during-a-pandemic

The Rise of the Virtual Being

On the latest episode of the Get WIRED podcast, we attend the Virtual Beings Summit and contemplate Lucy, Lil Miquela, and what it means to be human.

source https://www.wired.com/story/get-wired-podcast-3-virtual-beings

The Hate-Fueled Rise of r/The_Donald—and Its Epic Takedown

The notorious subreddit trafficked in violent rhetoric, growing a prodigious following over five years. Here’s how—and why—Reddit finally shut it down.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-hate-fueled-rise-of-rthe-donald-and-its-epic-takedown

SpaceX Brings Astronauts Home Safely in a Historic First

That’s a wrap on SpaceX’s crewed demo mission, which clears the way for the company to regularly launch astronauts for NASA.

source https://www.wired.com/story/spacex-brings-astronauts-home-safely-in-a-historic-first

Archaeologists Have Found the Source of Stonehenge's Boulders

Modern scholars have only been able to speculate about where the huge stones came from—until now.

source https://www.wired.com/story/archaeologists-have-found-the-source-of-stonehenges-boulders

Why Are Plants Green? The Answer Might Work on Any Planet

A new model of photosynthesis points to an evolutionary principle governing light-harvesting organisms that might apply throughout the universe.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-are-plants-green-the-answer-might-work-on-any-planet

I Bought the Duffel Bag That's in ‘The Expanse’—and Loved It

I use it to pack pillows on a paddleboard. But you can also use it to pack guns. In space.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-expanse-onsight-duffel-bag-rave

Incognito Mode May Not Work the Way You Think It Does

Every browser has a private mode—but the privacy it offers has a limit.

source https://www.wired.com/story/incognito-mode-explainer

How to Make Your Video Calls Look and Sound Better

Natural light is your friend. Audio feedback is your worst enemy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-make-video-calls-look-and-sound-better

The Rank Hypocrisy of a TikTok Ban

The fate of the platform remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: banning it would upturn fundamental principles of democracy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/trump-tiktok-ban-hypocrisy

Rite Aid Used Facial Recognition in Stores for Nearly a Decade

A SubStack email mess, a Nintendo leak, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rite-aid-facial-recognition-twitter-hack-security-news

How to Cut Your Own Hair at Home (Long, Short, Wavy, Curly, Kids, Bangs)

If your hair-care professional is still on lockdown, you might be getting desperate for a trim. Let us help you avoid a DIY disaster.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-cut-your-own-hair-at-home

What Can Ants and Bees Teach Us About Containing Disease?

Social insects cooperate to curb the spread of pathogens. Maybe their systems of behavior can help human societies battling pandemics of our own.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-can-ants-and-bees-teach-us-about-containing-disease

15 Best Weekend Deals: Laptops, TVs, Phones, and Outdoor Gear

Planning a socially-distanced camping trip? Now is the time to stock up on things like backpacks and tents.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-aug-1-2020

What is Crispr Gene Editing? The Complete WIRED Guide

How scientists can repurpose a bacterial immune system to alter DNA, making everything from cheap insulin to extra starchy corn.

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

10 Ways to Reconnect With Long Distance Relatives, Friends, and Relationships

Whatever the distance, these ideas will help you feel closer in these trying times.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/long-distance-gear-to-stay-connected

The Garmin Hack Was a Warning

As ransomware groups turn their attention to bigger game, expect more high-profile targets to fall.

source https://www.wired.com/story/garmin-ransomware-hack-warning