The Best Smart Plugs to Help Modernize Your Home

An internet-connected plug can give any basic appliance a brain. Here are our favorites (and a few we don't like).

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-smart-plugs

Banning White Supremacy Isn’t Censorship, It’s Accountability

Claiming that deplatforming racists violates First Amendment rights shows a distorted understanding of how speech, race, and power work online.

source https://www.wired.com/story/banning-white-supremacy-censorship-accountability

Power Up Anywhere With Our Favorite Portable Chargers

Keep your phone, tablet, laptop, or device running with these handheld power banks.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-portable-chargers-power-banks

How Universes Might Bubble Up and Collide

To understand how universes might inflate and bump into each other in the hypothetical multiverse, physicists are studying digital and physical analogs of the process.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-universes-might-bubble-up-and-collide

The Best Apps to Build Better Habits (and Stick to Them)

Don't let your resolutions flame out. These tech tools help keep you on track.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-apps-build-habits-stick-to-them

Sweet Jesus, Can Someone Just Tell Me What to Cook Every Day?

Fed up with pandemic-fueled meal-prep anxiety, I asked the Gray Lady to send me a weekly email telling me precisely what to buy and cook. It was the right move.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rants-and-raves-five-weeknight-dishes

The Best VPNs to Protect Yourself Online

It won’t solve all of your privacy problems, but a virtual private network can help make you a less tempting target for hackers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-vpn

Update Your iPhone and iPad Now If You Haven't Recently

Plus: A ransomware arrest, a dating site data leak, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/update-ios-14-active-exploit-netwalker-arrest-security-roundup

Dozens of Egyptian Tombs Will Be Unearthed at Saqqara Necropolis

Archaeologists found the entrance to the unexplored burial shaft earlier this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/egyptian-tombs-unearthed-saqqara-necropolis

A Quarter of Known Bee Species Haven’t Been Seen Since 1990

A global study finds that species numbers reported in the wild fell sharply between 1990 and 2015.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-quarter-of-known-bee-species-havent-been-seen-since-1990

In Praise of Positive Reinforcement for Your Pets

You want to reward good behaviors, not use tools to punish negative ones.

source https://www.wired.com/story/in-praise-of-positive-reinforcement-for-your-pets

Apple Fixes One of the iPhone's Most Pressing Security Risks

By hardening iMessage in iOS 14, the company has effectively cut off what had been an increasingly popular line of attack.

source https://www.wired.com/story/apple-imessage-security-improvements

The 14 Best Weekend Deals on Speakers, Video Games, and More

You'll find discounts this week on audio equipment, our favorite video calling device, TVs, and movies.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-january-30-2021

The 14 Best Weekend Deals on Speakers, Video Games, and More

You'll find discounts this week on audio equipment, our favorite video calling device, TVs, and movies.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-january-30-2021

What the Arab Spring Can Teach Us About GameStop

Ten years ago, democracy protesters used social media to organize against an oppressor. But ultimately, the powerful came out ahead.

source https://www.wired.com/story/arab-spring-gamestop

Star Trek: Lower Decks Is a Lot Better Than You'd Expect

The animated half-hour series is full of in-jokes and obscure references that will challenge even the most hardcore Trekkie.

source https://www.wired.com/2021/01/geeks-guide-star-trek-lower-decks

Facebook and Apple Feud Over the Future of the Internet

It turns out Tim Cook blames Mark Zuckerberg for undermining democracy, too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-apple-feud-over-privacy-internet-future

Coffee Talk Has Become a Quiet Success in a Turbulent Year

It’s the one-year anniversary of players creating custom drinks and having conversations with vampires, werewolves, and more in this narrative-driven game.

source https://www.wired.com/story/coffee-talk-game-anniversary-origins

A Vaccine Enrollment Mess of Epidemic Proportions

Plus: The Healthcare.gov rescue, the year’s biggest game changer, and a wake-up call for Wall Street.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-vaccine-enrollment-mess-of-epidemic-proportions

GameStop Makes This a Good Time to Rewatch The Big Short

It won’t help you understand the mess any better than you already do, but it could help you untangle the mania behind it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-big-short-gamestop-meme-stock

Your Covid Vaccine Questions, Answered

This week, we field listener queries about the vaccine’s rollout, how state and local governments are handling distribution, and when you’ll get your shot.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-489

A New Way to Restore Hand Mobility—With an Electrified Patch

In a clinical trial, wearing a small stimulator on their necks helped people with quadriplegia build back movement they had lost years ago.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-way-to-restore-hand-mobility-with-an-electrified-patch

The Jabra Elite 85t Are Premium Earbuds Made To Last

The company's latest in-ears have a two-year water damage warranty, wireless charging, noise canceling, and a mighty cozy fit.

source https://www.wired.com/review/jabra-elite-85t

How I Found the Right Therapist When My Life Was Collapsing

So many of us are struggling with mental health because of the pandemic. These tips can help.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-find-therapist-pandemic-stress

Why Kids Matter in the Quest to Stamp Out Covid-19

Testing a vaccine on children takes longer and comes with more challenges. But inoculating kids can protect an entire population.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-kids-matter-in-the-quest-to-stamp-out-covid-19

Lawmakers Take Aim at Insidious Digital ‘Dark Patterns’

A new California law prohibits efforts to trick consumers into handing over data or money. A bill in Washington state copies the language.

source https://www.wired.com/story/lawmakers-take-aim-insidious-digital-dark-patterns

This Encrypted Gun Registry Might Bridge a Partisan Divide

Researchers from Brown University have developed a system that could keep track of firearms while preserving privacy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/national-gun-registry-encrypted-decentralized

Robinhood Restricts GameStop Trading—in a Bid to Save Itself

The online broker blocked users from trading several “meme stocks” on Thursday, as regulators take a close look at the WallStreetBets phenomenon.

source https://www.wired.com/story/robinhood-gamestop-stock

Facebook’s Oversight Board Has Spoken. It Hasn’t Solved Much

The board’s first content moderation decisions show how impossible its task—and Facebook’s—really is.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-oversight-board-has-spoken

Miami’s Mayor Woos Techies. What Does He Need to Succeed?

If anywhere could use innovation, it’s Miami—one of the country’s most unequal, environmentally vulnerable cities.

source https://www.wired.com/story/miami-mayor-woos-techies-what-does-he-need-to-succeed

9 Adventurers Died Mysteriously. A New Theory Explains Why

More than 60 years after the incident, scientists say they have new evidence pointing to a peculiar kind of avalanche as the culprit.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dyatlov-pass-incident-slab-avalanche

Facebook Ad Services Let Anyone Target US Military Personnel

Researchers warn that an advertising platform with categories like “Army” and “United States Air Force Security Forces” could be abused.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-ad-targeting-us-military

The Trump Administration Left Biden With a Rocket Dilemma

Mike Pence promised to land on the moon in 2024, but that’s fallen out of reach. So what now?

source https://www.wired.com/story/trump-biden-rocket-dilemma

The Scott Pilgrim Game Is So Nice They Released It Twice

Though the game has a fraught history, it was a true indie darling. And now it’s back, having aged surprisingly well, actually.

source https://www.wired.com/story/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-game-review

Online Harassment Toward Women Is Getting Even More Insidious

From coded memes to deepfake porn, abusive disinformation campaigns are sliding past moderation tools. Platforms, Congress, and employers need to help women fight back.

source https://www.wired.com/story/online-harassment-toward-women-getting-more-insidious

The Lasting Impact of Covid-19 on Homelessness in the US

The pandemic is hitting unhoused people especially hard. But the efforts that sprang up to address it could change their fates for the better.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-homelessness-future

The Next Target for a Facial Recognition Ban? New York

San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities have enacted moratoriums on government use of the tech. New York looks like a harder sell.

source https://www.wired.com/story/next-target-facial-recognition-ban-new-york

How to Buy Used Gear on eBay—the Smart, Safe Way

Gracefully avoid sketchy situations and score a deal on the post-holiday gadget turnover.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-buy-used-on-ebay

May I Borrow Your Covid Immunity?

Whenever a new virus emerges—be it HIV or SARS-CoV-2—a few lucky people put up a potent natural defense. Monoclonal antibody drugs let them share the health.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-immunity-antibodies

Impeachment and Deplatforming Aren't Enough to Move Forward

To achieve true unity, we must contend with the underlying cause of our division—decades of conspiratorial messages, and sophisticated networks to spread them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/impeachment-deplatforming-not-enough

Why Instacart Is Laying Off Workers As Deliveries Soar

Big grocery chains relied on app-based delivery companies at the start of the pandemic. Now grocers’ priorities have shifted.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-instacart-laying-off-workers-deliveries-soar

How to Mix and Match Wireless Smart Speakers With Ease

Yes, you can use devices from different brands. And yes, location definitely matters.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mix-and-match-smart-speakers-tips

Fleeing WhatsApp for Privacy? Don't Turn to Telegram

Because the chat app doesn't encrypt conversations by default—or at all for group chats—security professionals often warn against it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/telegram-encryption-whatsapp-settings

Stop Calling Everyone a Tech Bro

Silicon Valley’s problem is not an excess of frat-house behavior. It’s much worse.

source https://www.wired.com/story/stop-calling-everyone-tech-bro

These Doctors Are Using AI to Screen for Breast Cancer

During the pandemic, thousands of women have skipped scans and check-ups. So physicians tapped an algorithm to predict those at the highest risk.

source https://www.wired.com/story/doctors-using-ai-screen-breast-cancer

Cops Disrupt Emotet, the Internet's ‘Most Dangerous Malware’

A global operation has taken down the notorious botnet in a blow to cybercriminals worldwide.

source https://www.wired.com/story/emotet-botnet-takedown

The Priority Apollo Gravel Bike Handles Both Roads and Mud

This light, versatile, and low-maintenance bicycle has reconciled me to the existence of gravel bikes.

source https://www.wired.com/review/priority-apollo-gravel

The Real Pleasure and Pain of Making Choices in Video Games

Life is chaos, but needing to control a fictional story can be stressful too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/casual-gamer-video-game-decisions

The Ethics of Vaccinating Teachers—and Keeping Schools Closed

Educators have lobbied to be prioritized for the Covid-19 vaccine, but they've also made the ethically questionable call to continue to wait to reopen.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-ethics-of-vaccinating-teachers-and-keeping-schools-closed

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Are a Joy to Wear (and Hear)

The British audio brand's carbon fiber noise-canceling headphones have become my favorite quarantine companion.

source https://www.wired.com/review/bowers-and-wilkins-px7-carbon

Heaven’s Vault: A Linguist’s Buried Treasure

Uncover the marvels of the Ancient language and explore the Nebula and the secrets contained within this indie game.

source https://www.wired.com/story/heavens-vault-linguist-review-switch-release

To Beat China on Tech, Biden Will Have to Learn from It

If the president wants to win the race on 5G and other technologies, he'll need more than the support of America's traditional global allies.

source https://www.wired.com/story/beat-china-tech-biden

Worrisome New Coronavirus Strains Are Emerging. Why Now?

Across the globe, SARS-CoV-2 is evolving ways to evade the immune system and become more infectious. Blown pandemic response plans are to blame.

source https://www.wired.com/story/worrisome-new-coronavirus-strains-are-emerging-why-now

A New Way to Trace the History of Sci-Fi’s Made-Up Words

The Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction turns a century of neologisms (and neosemes!) into a redefintion of the genre.

source https://www.wired.com/story/historical-dictionary-of-science-fiction

North Korea Targets—and Dupes—a Slew of Cybersecurity Pros

The sweeping campaign took advantage of the collaborative spirit among researchers, with an unknown number of victims.

source https://www.wired.com/story/north-korea-hackers-target-cybersecurity-researchers

It’s the Perfect Time to Switch to a Cheaper Phone Plan

If you’re a Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T subscriber, switching to these networks may save you a lot of money.

source https://www.wired.com/story/guide-to-mvno-phone-plans

The Rise of One of the First Video Game Workers Unions

What began as a Facebook group, and then a chat on Discord, soon became a massive campaign to remedy grueling working conditions across the industry.

source https://www.wired.com/story/first-video-game-workers-unions

They Claimed the Covid Vaccine Made Them Sick—and Went Viral

On Facebook, videos of people reporting disturbing side-effects from the shots have been viewed by millions. Fact-checking efforts can't keep up.

source https://www.wired.com/story/they-claimed-the-covid-vaccine-made-them-sick-and-went-viral

White Nationalism Is Far Worse Than a 'Disease'

Most analogies for racism as a pathology oversimplify its blight. Better diagnosing it means knowing how to treat it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/white-nationalism-is-far-worse-than-a-disease

I Love Reading 1980s Computer Magazines, and So Should You

It’s not just a nostalgia thing. Sifting through the past often leads to something new.

source https://www.wired.com/story/i-love-reading-1980s-computer-magazines-and-so-should-you

Is It Time to Roll Out the Carbon-Eating Machines?

Facilities that suck carbon dioxide out of the air could be powerful weapons for fighting climate change. But their deployment requires a huge wartime-style investment.

source https://www.wired.com/story/is-it-time-for-an-emergency-rollout-of-carbon-eating-machines

'2034: A Novel of the Next World War,' an Exclusive Excerpt

What if things escalated? What if communications were knocked out? What if cyberwar was just the start? A note about this special six-part series.

source https://www.wired.com/story/2034-novel-next-world-war-editors-letter

2034, Part I: Peril in the South China Sea

“We've got a ship in duress that hasn't sent out a distress signal. Something doesn't add up.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/2034-part-i-peril-south-china-sea

Are Mass Clinics the Solution for Covid-19 Vaccination?

Mega-sites need a lot of personnel and pose problems of access and equity. But other vaccination campaigns might point us in the right direction.

source https://www.wired.com/story/are-mass-clinics-the-solution-for-covid-19-vaccination

This AI Could Go From ‘Art’ to Steering a Self-Driving Car

DALL-E drew laughs for creating images of a daikon radish in a tutu. But it builds on an important advance in computer vision with serious applications.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ai-go-art-steering-self-driving-car

The North Face Puts the Latest Road Running Tech on the Trail

The storied outdoor brand has introduced a new trail running shoe with speedy—and controversial—carbon-fiber plates in the soles.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-north-face-flight-vectiv-trail-running-shoe

Apple’s Newest Fitness Feature: Celeb-Guided Outdoor Walks

The company's latest subscription product combines outdoor fitness with podcasting, though you'll need an Apple Watch to enjoy it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/apple-time-to-walk

Could Bobbie Hold 2 Spaceships Together in The Expanse?

This scenario is very similar to a classic physics problem—but with more Martian armor.

source https://www.wired.com/story/could-bobbie-hold-two-spaceships-together-expanse

The Wilds Is Lost With Whip-Smart Teen Drama

Like its spiritual predecessor, Amazon’s new show is full of secrets. Unlike it, the series doesn’t get bogged down in solving mysteries.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-the-wilds

Vizio's Rotating Soundbar Fills the Room With Great Surround

The flagship (and expensive) Elevate has rotating drivers for when you play Dolby Atmos-supported movies or shows.

source https://www.wired.com/review/vizio-elevate-soundbar

Stop Ignoring the Evidence on Covid-19 Treatments

The studies are in, and for many patients convalescent plasma should be out. So why do doctors having such a hard time letting go?

source https://www.wired.com/story/stop-ignoring-the-evidence-on-covid-19-treatments

New Algorithms Could Reduce Racial Disparities in Health Care

Machine learning programs trained with patient reports, rather than doctors', find problems that doctors miss—especially in Black people.

source https://www.wired.com/story/new-algorithms-reduce-racial-disparities-health-care

Sun-Loving Bacteria May Be Accelerating Glacial Melting

Scientists find that cyanobacteria cause sediments on glaciers to clump, thus absorbing more sunlight. It's not great news for fans of lower sea levels.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sun-loving-bacteria-may-be-accelerating-glacial-melting

The Truth About North Korea's Ultra-Lockdown Against Covid-19

The country has turned inward more than ever, leaving the true impact of the pandemic a mystery.

source https://www.wired.com/story/truth-about-north-koreas-ultra-lockdown-covid-19

A Beginner’s Guide for Working Out at Home

You can start by doing a few push-ups in your pajamas. Also, Chris Hemsworth has a workout app.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-work-out-from-home

The Secret Ingredient That Powers Supernovas

Three-dimensional computer simulations have solved the mystery of why doomed stars explode at all.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-secret-ingredient-that-powers-supernovas

Flash Is Dead—but Not Gone

Zombie versions of Adobe’s troubled software can still cause problems in systems around the world.

source https://www.wired.com/story/zombie-flash-security-problems

How to Back Up Your Most Important Emails

Google, Microsoft, or Apple may deliver and store your emails, but the most valuable ones deserve a second home, just in case.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-back-up-email

D&D Must Grapple With the Racism in Fantasy

And getting rid of it will take a lot of work.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dandd-must-grapple-with-the-racism-in-fantasy

The Best Mouse for Every Kind of Gamer

Whether you’re into esports or casual fragging, these are the greatest gaming mice we’ve tested.

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

The FTC Cracks Down on Bot-Wielding Ticket Scalpers

Plus: A security company creeper, Biden’s cyberteam, and the rest of this week’s security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ftc-scalper-bots-biden-cybersecurity-security-roundup

Chrome and Edge Want to Help Solve Your Password Problems

The line between browsers and password managers is blurring.

source https://www.wired.com/story/chrome-edge-help-solve-password-problems

A New Project Maps the Pacific Coast's Critical Kelp Forests

Using sea charts and satellites, the effort will trace how the kelp beds are changing in response to global warming and commercial harvesting.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-project-maps-the-pacific-coasts-critical-kelp-forests

The Best Laptop Stands to Save Your Neck

Help your back and posture by raising your computer screen up to eye level.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-laptop-stands

How Do You Define Electric Field, Voltage, and Current?

And what does that mean for making a little wire LED man light up?

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-you-define-electric-field-voltage-and-current

The 13 Best Weekend Deals on Laptops, Smartwatches, and More

Now is a good time to grab some sweet Switch games, Apple’s Magic Keyboard, or an Apple Watch Series 6 at a discounted price.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-january-23-2021

A Fight Over GameStop's Soaring Stock Turns Ugly

The denizens of the Wall Street Bets subreddit helped push the flailing stock to dizzying heights—while a short-seller alleged an accompanying harassment campaign.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gamestop-stock-wall-street-bets-short-squeeze

Biden Gets to Work, Vaccine Guidelines Change, and More

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/biden-gets-to-work-vaccine-guidelines-change-coronavirus-news

Let Fire Stations and EMS Crews Administer Covid Vaccines

They're more trusted and better distributed than pharmacies, and they're built for emergencies.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-let-fire-stations-and-ems-crews-administer-covid-vaccines

A Year Ago I Asked: How Bad Could Covid Get? Now We Know

No one was calling it a pandemic yet, at least publicly. Then came more troubling evidence about transmission, as the US ignored warning signs.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-year-ago-i-asked-how-bad-could-covid-get-now-we-know

People Still Really Love the Apple II

The computer ceased production in 1993, but fans are still making games for it.

source https://www.wired.com/2021/01/geeks-guide-apple-ii-nox-archaist

The Bernie Sanders Meme Proves the Internet Is Resetting

Well, that and the fact that @POTUS now follows Chrissy Teigen.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bernie-sanders-meme-shift

Janet Yellen Will Consider Limiting the Use of Cryptocurrency

During her confirmation hearing, the Treasury nominee said that blockchain-based financial networks are “a particular concern.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/janet-yellen-consider-limiting-cryptocurrency

How to Reboot Your Burnt-Out Brain

This week, we round up tips for staying organized, energized, and mostly sane as we all ride out the rest of the pandemic.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-488

President Biden, Please Don't Get Into Carbon Farming

This is not the solution to our climate problems; it's a sweetheart deal for Big Ag.

source https://www.wired.com/story/president-biden-please-dont-get-into-carbon-farming

The Swashbuckling Escapism of Sid Meier’s Pirates!

The legendary developer’s new memoir brought back poignant memories of one of his most famous games—and of the hours I played with my dad.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sid-meier-memoir-pirates-escapism

An Internet Without Trump

With Donald Trump no longer the heart of online discourse, there's room for a powerful shift.

source https://www.wired.com/story/trump-social-media-center

The Art and Science of Boarding an Airplane in a Pandemic

Researchers and airlines that obsessed over efficiency have spent the past year worrying about safety too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/art-science-boarding-airplane-pandemic

Alphabet Is Grounding Loon—but Won't Call It a Failure

Plus: The moon shot’s launch, health care for the maskless, and a new era’s inaugural meme.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-alphabet-pops-loons-balloons

He Made a Viral Bernie Meme Site. Now He Has to Keep It Going

Nick Sawhney's “Bernie Sits" puts Sanders anywhere on Google Street View.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bernie-sanders-meme-street-view-site

Facebook's Oversight Board to Decide on Trump Ban

Facebook has to decide whether to give the ex-president his bullhorn back. It won't make that call itself.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-oversight-board-decide-trump-ban

Is This a Fossilized Lair of the Dreaded Bobbit Worm?

Scientists say they've got 20-million-year-old evidence of giant worms that hunted in pretty much the most nightmarish way possible.

source https://www.wired.com/story/is-this-a-fossilized-lair-of-the-dreaded-bobbit-worm

Cheaper Yet Refined, Samsung’s Latest Galaxy Phones Are Great

The price tag might still make you blink, but Samsung’s new flagship has one of the best cameras in a smartphone.

source https://www.wired.com/review/samsung-galaxy-s21-ultra

The Best Phones With an Actual Headphone Jack

3.5-millimeter audio jacks are endangered, but they’re not extinct. Here are some of our favorite smartphones that still let you plug in.

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

These Recharge Rooms Are Helping Health Care Workers Cope

Using voice-activation tech and nature-inspired soundscapes, these space are designed to give medical workers some respite from the Covid-19 front lines.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-recharge-rooms-health-care-front-line

How One Rabbi Uses Roleplaying Games to Build Community

Spirituality is only one tool in this community leader's toolkit for bringing people closer together. Character sheets are another.

source https://www.wired.com/story/roleplaying-rabbi-community-building

This Chinese Lab Is Aiming for Big AI Breakthroughs

China produces as many artificial intelligence researchers as the US, but it lags in key fields like machine learning. The government hopes to make up ground.

source https://www.wired.com/story/chinese-lab-aiming-big-ai-breakthroughs

The US Rejoins the Paris Climate Accord. Will It Matter?

Biden’s first-day actions signal that he’s serious about global warming. But he’s got to make up for four years of lost time.

source https://www.wired.com/story/biden-returns-the-us-to-the-paris-climate-accord-will-it-matter

Parler Finds a Reprieve in Russia—but Not a Solution

The far-right platform still hasn't found a US-based home. Where it lands could have serious consequences for its users' privacy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/parler-russia-privacy

The Strange Theater of Watching the Inauguration Online

Few people could witness Joe Biden and Kamala Harris get sworn in in person. Instead, we watched (and tried to make sense of it all) online.

source https://www.wired.com/story/biden-harris-inauguration-social-media

A Site Published Every Face from Parler's Capitol Riot Videos

Faces of the Riot used open source software to detect, extract, and deduplicate every face from the 827 videos taken from the insurrection on January 6.

source https://www.wired.com/story/faces-of-the-riot-capitol-insurrection-facial-recognition

Social Media Bans Are Really, Actually, Shockingly Common

Booting Trump didn’t set a precedent. From Yelp to Uber to Airbnb, platforms regularly ban users and content, but too often behind the scenes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-social-media-bans-are-really-actually-shockingly-common

WIRED’s Picks for the 10 Books You Have to Read This Winter

It’s cold and you’re probably still quarantined. Time to get reading. Start with these tales of reimagined histories and cloned partners.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/winter-2021-reading-list

Looking for a Tablet? These Are Our Absolute Favorites

We’ve tested all the top slates, from Apple’s iPads to Android and Windows devices.

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

How to Get Great Tech Support—From Home

If you're in your home office for the long haul,  you can still get the TLC you need for your IT. Here are some options.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-find-great-at-home-tech-support

Vaping Won't Keep Young People From Smoking Cigarettes Later

It won't prevent teens from later becoming smokers. But some health experts say that focusing on the risk of addicting new smokers cuts off a chance to help adults quit.

source https://www.wired.com/story/vaping-doesnt-keep-young-people-from-smoking-cigarettes-later

Biden’s Covid Plan Will Define His Presidency

It’s not just about the pandemic. How the new administration handles Covid-19 will be a test of every one of its policies—and its values.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bidens-covid-plan-will-define-his-presidency

Palantir’s God’s-Eye View of Afghanistan

The company’s software can sift through enormous amounts of data, and those metrics can be used to make life-or-death decisions.

source https://www.wired.com/story/palantirs-gods-eye-view-of-afghanistan

The SolarWinds Hackers Used Tactics Other Groups Will Copy

The supply chain threat was just the beginning.

source https://www.wired.com/story/solarwinds-hacker-methods-copycats

18 Great Wireless Chargers to Refuel Your Phone (or Watch)

Stop fumbling for cables in the dark. These WIRED-tested stands and pads will make recharging your iPhone or Android phone hassle-free.

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

How to Bust Your Spotify Feedback Loop and Find New Music

Does the algorithm know you too well? Here’s how to shake up your recommendations for a more varied listening experience.

source https://www.wired.com/story/spotify-feedback-loop-find-new-music

The Autonomous Saildrone Surveyor Preps for Its Sea Voyage

The robo-vessel will map the ocean floor, and its solar-powered sensors will sample fish DNA and collect climate data.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-autonomous-saildrone-surveyor-preps-for-its-sea-voyage

Share Streaming Accounts? Set Up Separate User Profiles

Here's how to keep your recommendations and history at least semi-private. No one needs to know how much Bridgerton you watched.

source https://www.wired.com/story/streaming-profiles-netflix-hulu-disney-hbo-max

Former DOD Head: The US Needs a New Plan to Beat China on AI

In an interview with WIRED, former secretary of defense Ash Carter discussed how to build morality into AI—and make sure other countries do too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/former-dod-head-us-needs-new-plan-to-beat-china-ai

What Hades Can Teach Us About Ancient Greek Masculinity

Everyone in the game may be hot, but some of the characterizations we see aren't as subversive as you might think.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hades-ancient-greek-masculinity-classics-representation

Big Tech Can’t Ban Its Way Out of This

Platforms are scrambling to avoid being used by right-wing extremists targeting the inauguration. But the seeds of this crisis were sown long ago.

source https://www.wired.com/story/big-tech-cant-ban-its-way-out-of-this

The Bygone Glory of Blockbuster's 'Pokémon Snap' Station

Nintendo is releasing a new version of the game in April. But nothing can replace the magic of the rental store's printed-out pocket monsters.

source https://www.wired.com/story/blockbuster-pokemon-snap-station

It’s Not Just You: Everyone’s Mental Health Is Suffering

If you’re thinking, “Oh, I just need to suck it up,” stop. What you’re feeling is real. Here’s how to cope.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mental-health-coronavirus-pandemic-tips

Why Do Exploding Barrels Make Video Games So Much More Fun?

Elemental reactions, like shooting a dynamite-filled barrel or using an ice spell to cross a stream, are an important way for designers to bring worlds to life.

source https://www.wired.com/story/exploding-barrels-video-games-elemental-reactions

Climate Change Needs an Operation Warp Speed

If the Covid vaccine push has proved anything, it’s that big government works.

source https://www.wired.com/story/warp-speed-for-climate-change

If Covid-19 Did Start With a Lab Leak, Would We Ever Know?

The two major investigations into the origins of the pandemic are compromised by potential conflicts of interest. Those problems need to be fixed—fast.

source https://www.wired.com/story/if-covid-19-did-start-with-a-lab-leak-would-we-ever-know

Can This Group Revive the Finicky Corpse Flower?

In botanic gardens around the world, the reproductive future of the famously smelly plant is threatened. A new collaborative program wants to save it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/can-this-group-revive-the-finicky-corpse-flower

Faster Vaccinations, New Mutations, and More Coronavirus News

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/faster-vaccinations-more-mutations-coronavirus-news

Watch Highlights From WIRED's CES Conversations

Check out the replays of our talks with former US defense secretary Ash Carter, Nobel laureate Jennifer A. Doudna, Slack CEO Scott Butterfield, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/watch-highlights-wired-ces-2021

Robot Toilets, Vibrating Headbands, and Other Oddities at CES

This week, we recap the news, trends, and stand-out gadgets from the first-ever virtual CES.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-487

2020 Was the One of the Hottest Years on Record

Officials from NASA and NOAA say the warming of both the planet’s air and water are driving weather disasters.

source https://www.wired.com/story/2020-was-the-one-of-the-hottest-years-on-record

I Am Not a Soldier, but I Have Been Trained to Kill

A sprawling tactical industry is teaching American civilians how to fight like Special Ops forces. By preparing for violence at home, are they calling it into being?

source https://www.wired.com/story/america-civilian-tactical-training-industry

Adorable Fish Bots Get Schooled in How to Swarm

Meet Bluebot, a friendly swimming robot with big camera eyes. Put a few in a tank together and they’ll collaborate to complete surprisingly complex tasks.

source https://www.wired.com/story/these-adorable-fish-robots-form-schools-like-the-real-thing

The Future of Phone Design: Flexible Screens That Roll Up

At CES 2021, two companies showed off concepts for a rollable phone. This year, expect this new category of devices to greatly expand.

source https://www.wired.com/story/future-of-phone-design-ces-2021

How Law Enforcement Gets Around Your Smartphone's Encryption

New research has dug into the openings that iOS and Android security provide for anyone with the right tools.

source https://www.wired.com/story/smartphone-encryption-law-enforcement-tools

Scientists Have Sequenced Dire Wolf DNA. Thanks, Science!

The creatures made famous by Game of Thrones went extinct some 13,000 years ago. Now geneticists know a little more about where they come from.

source https://www.wired.com/story/game-of-thrones-dire-wolves-dna-sequenced

How to Bust Your Spotify Feedback Loop and Find New Music

Does the algorithm know you too well? Here’s how to shake up your recommendations for a more varied listening experience.

source https://www.wired.com/story/spotify-feedback-loop-find-new-music

The 7 Best Drones for Every Budget

Whether you want to battle Star Wars spaceships or shoot a cinematic masterpiece, one of these picks is going to be perfect for you.

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

It’s Not Just You: Everyone’s Mental Health Is Suffering

If you’re thinking, “Oh, I just need to suck it up,” stop. What you’re feeling is real. Here’s how to cope.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mental-health-coronavirus-pandemic-tips

The Autonomous Saildrone Surveyor Preps for Its Sea Voyage

The robo-vessel will map the ocean floor, and its solar-powered sensors will sample fish DNA and collect climate data.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-autonomous-saildrone-surveyor-preps-for-its-sea-voyage

What You Lose When You Turn Into an Animal

In Pixar’s new film, Soul, the protagonist wakes up in the body of a cat. It’s a common enough trope—but it gets messier the more you think about it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-you-lose-when-you-turn-into-an-animal

Trump’s Worst, Most Bizarre Statements About ‘the Cyber’

Over the course of his presidency, he managed to be consistently wrong, outrageous, and dangerous in equal measure. We look back at his most notorious remarks.

source https://www.wired.com/story/trump-cyber-worst-quotes-statements-hackers-ukraine-russia

Covid, Schools, and the High-Stakes Experiment No One Wanted

Reopening in the fall was a massive gamble. At one high-poverty elementary school, navigating the risks paid off.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-schools-experiment-orlando

Why Do Exploding Barrels Make Video Games So Much More Fun?

Elemental reactions, like shooting a dynamite-filled barrel or using an ice spell to cross a stream, are an important way for designers to bring worlds to life.

source https://www.wired.com/story/exploding-barrels-video-games-elemental-reactions

Virgin Orbit Just Launched a Rocket From a 747

Launching rockets from planes is a decades-old concept that never really took off. Billionaire Richard Branson thinks its time has come.

source https://www.wired.com/story/virgin-orbit-just-launched-a-rocket-from-a-747

The US Government Needs to Invest in Digital Design

Our nation’s failure to invest in information technology has severely limited our Covid response. A federal chief experience officer could change that.

source https://www.wired.com/story/us-government-digital-design-chief-experience-officer

17 Bags, Backpacks, Cubes, and Straps to Protect Your Camera

There are dozens of ways to tote around your photo and video gear. We’ve reviewed our favorites.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-camera-bags-backpacks-straps-inserts

Want to Write a Book This Year? These Tools Can Help

We spoke to two award-winning authors for their tips on how to make it from start to finish. Here's how they take notes, organize chapters, and—yes—get comfy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/book-writing-tips-chris-bailey-brian-mcclellan

The Crooked, Complex Geometry of Round Trips

Imagine if we lived on a cube-shaped Earth. How would you find the shortest path around the world?

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-crooked-complex-geometry-of-round-trips

Share Streaming Accounts? Set Up Separate User Profiles

Here's how to keep your recommendations and history at least semi-private. No one needs to know how much Bridgerton you watched.

source https://www.wired.com/story/streaming-profiles-netflix-hulu-disney-hbo-max

Former DOD Head: The US Needs a New Plan to Beat China on AI

In an interview with WIRED, former secretary of defense Ash Carter discussed how to build morality into AI—and make sure other countries do too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/former-dod-head-us-needs-new-plan-to-beat-china-ai

Climate Change Needs an Operation Warp Speed

If the Covid vaccine push has proved anything, it’s that big government works.

source https://www.wired.com/story/warp-speed-for-climate-change

If Covid-19 Did Start With a Lab Leak, Would We Ever Know?

The two major investigations into the origins of the pandemic are compromised by potential conflicts of interest. Those problems need to be fixed—fast.

source https://www.wired.com/story/if-covid-19-did-start-with-a-lab-leak-would-we-ever-know

The FBI Has Made Over 100 Arrests Related to the Capitol Riot

Plus: A dark web takedown, a bitcoin scam, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/capitol-riot-arrests-darkmarket-bitcoin-scam-roundup

The FBI Has Made Over 100 Arrests Related to the Capitol Riot

Plus: A dark web takedown, a bitcoin scam, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/capitol-riot-arrests-darkmarket-bitcoin-scam-roundup

What Hades Can Teach Us About Ancient Greek Masculinity

Everyone in the game may be hot, but some of the characterizations we see aren't as subversive as you might think.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hades-ancient-greek-masculinity-classics-representation

DJI's Latest Compact Drone Is a Blast to Fly

The Mini 2 is still lightweight yet has enough flying power for some windy conditions, and it comes equipped with a better camera.

source https://www.wired.com/review/dji-mini-2

The Physics of Reddit's Spinning Solar System Icon

If the dots on the loading screen were planets, is their motion realistic? And can we actually model it?

source https://www.wired.com/story/physics-reddits-spinning-solar-system-icon

The Race Is On to Identify and Stop Inauguration Rioters

As tech companies scramble to tackle the extreme far-right, police and law enforcement are encasing Washington, DC, in a ring of steel.

source https://www.wired.com/story/race-is-on-identify-stop-inauguration-rioters

Can This Group Revive the Finicky Corpse Flower?

In botanic gardens around the world, the reproductive future of the famously smelly plant is threatened. A new collaborative program wants to save it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/can-this-group-revive-the-finicky-corpse-flower

Big Tech Can’t Ban Its Way Out of This

Platforms are scrambling to avoid being used by right-wing extremists targeting the inauguration. But the seeds of this crisis were sown long ago.

source https://www.wired.com/story/big-tech-cant-ban-its-way-out-of-this

The Bygone Glory of Blockbuster's 'Pokémon Snap' Station

Nintendo is releasing a new version of the game in April. But nothing can replace the magic of the rental store's printed-out pocket monsters.

source https://www.wired.com/story/blockbuster-pokemon-snap-station

14 Best Weekend Deals on TVs, Laptops, and More

It’s a long weekend. These discounted picks will help you sit down, tune out, and tune in to your screens to while away the time.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-jan-16-2021

Virtual CES Was As Surreal As We All Suspected It Would Be

Should it have happened at all?

source https://www.wired.com/story/virtual-ces-2021-was-strange

Faster Vaccinations, New Mutations, and More Coronavirus News

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/faster-vaccinations-more-mutations-coronavirus-news

Watch Highlights From WIRED's CES Conversations

Check out the replays of our talks with former US defense secretary Ash Carter, Nobel laureate Dr. Jennifer A. Doudna, Slack CEO Scott Butterfield, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/watch-highlights-wired-ces-2021

Ex-CISA Head Chris Krebs: ‘Impeachment Is the Right Mechanism’

In an interview with WIRED, the famously fired DHS official shared insights on election security, disinformation, SolarWinds—and what to do about Trump.

source https://www.wired.com/story/chris-krebs-cisa-trump-impeachment-disinformation

With Discovery, Star Trek Is Finally Moving Forward

The show's third season jumps forward 1,000 years into the future. It helped the show not stay mired in old ideas.

source https://www.wired.com/2021/01/geeks-guide-star-trek-discovery-2

Facebook Can’t Fix What It Won’t Admit To

Plus: Zuckerberg’s community manifesto, how to hold platforms accountable, and an accidental admission in Congress.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-facebook-cant-fix-what-it-wont-admit-to

Hackers Used Zero-Days to Infect Windows and Android Devices

Google researchers say the campaign, which booby-trapped sites to ensnare targets, was carried out by a “highly sophisticated actor.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/hackers-zero-days-infect-windows-android-devices

Robot Toilets, Vibrating Headbands, and Other Oddities at CES

This week, we recap the news, trends, and stand-out gadgets from the first-ever virtual CES.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-487

2020 Was the One of the Hottest Years on Record

Officials from NASA and NOAA say the warming of both the planet’s air and water are driving weather disasters.

source https://www.wired.com/story/2020-was-the-one-of-the-hottest-years-on-record

AI-Powered Text From This Program Could Fool the Government

A Harvard medical student submitted auto-generated comments to Medicaid; volunteers couldn’t distinguish them from those penned by humans.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ai-powered-text-program-could-fool-government

Wikipedia Is Basically a Massive RPG

Sure, the metaphor is imperfect. But as the encyclopedia enters its 20th year, it's worth reflecting on the "rules of the game"—and how they might change.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wikipedia-anniversary-game-rpg

How to Preorder the Samsung Galaxy S21—and Which One to Get

Should you go Ultra or snag the S21+? We break down the differences between the company’s new phones and round up the best deals.

source https://www.wired.com/story/samsung-galaxy-s21-deals

Everything We Know Now About Schools, Kids, and Covid-19

Researchers are finally getting good data on how severely SARS-CoV-2 affects children and how they transmit it. What does it mean for reopening classrooms?

source https://www.wired.com/story/everything-we-know-now-about-schools-kids-and-covid-19

I Am Not a Soldier, but I Have Been Trained to Kill

A sprawling tactical industry is teaching American civilians how to fight like Special Ops forces. By preparing for violence at home, are they calling it into being?

source https://www.wired.com/story/america-civilian-tactical-training-industry

Why TikTok (and Everyone Else) Is Singing Sea Chanteys

It has a lot to do with unity—and a little something to do with earworms.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-sea-shanties

Can an AI Predict the Language of Viral Mutation?

Computational biologists used an algorithm meant to model human language to instead predict how viruses could evolve to evade the immune system.

source https://www.wired.com/story/can-an-ai-predict-the-language-of-viral-mutation

Samsung Has New Galaxy Phones (and New Earbuds Too)

A trio of new Android phones—the S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra—are joined by new Bluetooth earbuds and a Tile-like tracker.

source https://www.wired.com/story/samsung-galaxy-s21-galaxy-buds-pro-smarttag-news

The DC Riot Is the Sandy Hook of the Disinformation Crisis

After the 2012 mass shooting, many asked: If this doesn’t lead to change, can we ever expect change? We should be asking the same of the insurrection.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-dc-riot-is-the-sandy-hook-of-the-disinformation-crisis

How Old-School Text Adventures Inspired Our Virtual Spaces

MMORPGs and even social media can trace their roots to games that used simple text commands to construct vivid, fantastical worlds.

source https://www.wired.com/story/multiplayer-text-games-mud-mmo-social-media

An Algorithm Is Helping a Community Detect Lead Pipes

The model had shown promise in Flint before officials rebelled. Now Toledo is using it, while incorporating more public input.

source https://www.wired.com/story/algorithm-helping-community-detect-lead-pipes

Crime Rates Dropped in 2020—Just as They Did in 1918

An economist looks at public safety during the Covid lockdowns and also at the time of Spanish Flu.

source https://www.wired.com/story/crime-rates-dropped-in-2020-just-as-they-did-in-1918

The Next Gen Console Games You Should Actually Care About

The Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 have some great games coming this year—assuming schedules hold. Here's a quick rundown of some great ones.

source https://www.wired.com/story/5-next-gen-console-games-you-should-actually-care-about

The 15 Best Devices From CES That You Can Buy Now

Much of the trade show’s flashy tech will never hit store shelves, but here are a few gadgets that are already available.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ces-2021-best-devices-you-can-buy-now

The Local Politics of Airbnb’s Ban on DC Rentals

Residents and city officials traumatized by last week’s unrest fear a repeat for Biden’s inauguration.

source https://www.wired.com/story/local-politics-airbnb-ban-dc-rentals

These Adorable Fish Robots Form Schools Like the Real Thing

Meet Bluebot, a friendly swimming robot with big camera eyes. Put a few in a tank together and they’ll collaborate to complete surprisingly complex tasks.

source https://www.wired.com/story/these-adorable-fish-robots-form-schools-like-the-real-thing

The Future of Phone Design: Flexible Screens That Roll Up

At CES 2021, two companies showed off concepts for a rollable phone. This year, expect this new category of devices to greatly expand.

source https://www.wired.com/story/future-of-phone-design-ces-2021

How Law Enforcement Gets Around Your Smartphone's Encryption

New research has dug into the openings iOS and Android security provide for anyone with the right tools.

source https://www.wired.com/story/smartphone-encryption-law-enforcement-tools

Scientists Have Sequenced Dire Wolf DNA. Thanks, Science!

The creatures made famous by Game of Thrones went extinct some 13,000 years ago. Now geneticists know a little more about where they come from.

source https://www.wired.com/story/game-of-thrones-dire-wolves-dna-sequenced

How a Decade-Old Game Helped Me Cope with Seasonal Depression

During a bleary fall and winter, the open world of Skyrim gave me the motivation and joy I couldn't find in the real world.

source https://www.wired.com/story/skyrim-seasonal-depression

How Amazon Sidewalk Works—and Why You May Want to Turn It Off

The premise is convenient. But the e-commerce giant's privacy track record isn't exactly inspiring.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-amazon-sidewalk-works

The Case for Cannibalism, or: How to Survive the Donner Party

Don’t be a young, healthy, single man. That’s our first piece of advice.

source https://www.wired.com/story/case-for-cannibalism-how-survive-donner-party

Lucasfilm Games' New Partnerships Mean the Galaxy's the Limit

The Disney-owned company just announced a new Star Wars title coming from Ubisoft and an Indiana Jones game from Bethesda. And that's just the beginning.

source https://www.wired.com/story/lucasfilm-games-star-wars-ubisoft-indiana-jones-bethesda

The Parler Bans Open a New Front in the 'Free Speech' Wars

Apple, Google, and Amazon booted the site from their own platforms. But who moderates the moderators?

source https://www.wired.com/story/parler-bans-new-chapter-free-speech-wars

The Best of CES 2021

These are the products, prototypes, and ideas that did the best job of signaling the future at this year’s consumer tech showcase.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-of-ces-2021

Bugsnax Is Keeping Me Going (and It Might Just Help You Too)

The island quest-style game is perfect for this "casual gaming" moment.

source https://www.wired.com/story/easy-mode-bugsnax

The Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout Faces a Two-Shot Problem

Millions of follow-up doses have been languishing in freezers, causing a massive logjam—and not everyone likes the ideas for a fix.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-faces-a-two-shot-problem

In Minecraft, All the Server's a Stage

A pixelated political drama has played out in the sandbox game since May—drawing millions of viewers in the process.

source https://www.wired.com/story/minecraft-dream-smp-political-drama

The Unsettling Truth About the ‘Mostly Harmless’ Hiker

His emaciated body was discovered in a tent, just a few miles from a major Florida highway. His identity—and troubled past—were discovered by the internet.

source https://www.wired.com/story/unsettling-truth-mostly-harmless-hiker

There’s No Excuse to Ignore Warnings of Domestic Terrorism

The insurrection at the Capitol was planned on social media—and more plans are still being made in broad daylight across the internet.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-theres-no-excuse-to-ignore-warnings-of-domestic-terrorism

My Quest to Survive Quarantine—in Heated Clothes

Cold weather sucks even more when a pandemic makes it nearly impossible to socialize inside. But I found a hack.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cold-wfh-heated-clothes

An Absurdly Basic Bug Let Anyone Grab All of Parler's Data

The “free speech” social network also allowed unlimited access to every public post, image, and video.

source https://www.wired.com/story/parler-hack-data-public-posts-images-video

It's a Big Year for ‘Clean Tech’ at CES

Pandemic-inspired sanitizing technology is everywhere. Even if the science behind the gadgets is sound, it's smart to be skeptical.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ces-2021-clean-tech

The Arctic Ocean Is Teeming With Microfibers From Clothes

Scientists find an average of 40 microplastic particles per cubic meter of the northern water. The likely source? The synthetic clothing in our washing machines.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-arctic-ocean-is-teeming-with-microfibers-from-clothes

Postapocalyptic Video Games Saved Me From Pandemic Despair

Stories of people clawing their way back from despair, bonding together, and having fun in the process are exactly what we all need right now.

source https://www.wired.com/story/postapocalyptic-video-games-pandemic-mental-health

Job Screening Service Halts Facial Analysis of Applicants

But it’s still using intonation and behavior to assist with hiring decisions.

source https://www.wired.com/story/job-screening-service-halts-facial-analysis-applicants

Omori Is the Horror RPG of Your Dreams (or Nightmares)

As an elegant exploration of psychology and grief, it has the promise of Undertale—and it might have slipped under your radar.

source https://www.wired.com/story/omori-rpg-review

Google’s New Union Is Already Addressing Political Issues

The Alphabet Workers Union isn’t seeking better pay and benefits. It wants to influence the company’s policies on social and other issues.

source https://www.wired.com/story/googles-new-union-addressing-political-issues

How Many Microcovids Would You Spend on a Burrito?

Six nerdy roommates used public health data to create an online Covid-risk points system for every activity—and protect their pandemic pod.

source https://www.wired.com/story/group-house-covid-risk-points

A Startup Will Nix Algorithms Built on Ill-Gotten Facial Data

The FTC applies a novel remedy, going a step further than simply deleting the source photos.

source https://www.wired.com/story/startup-nix-algorithms-ill-gotten-facial-data

Mobileye Puts Lidar on a Chip—and Helps Map Intel's Future

It's been a rocky stretch for the chipmaker. But a bright spot was on display at this year's CES.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mobileye-lidar-on-a-chip-intel

Listening to Black Women: The Innovation Tech Can't Crack

Tech creators and journalists ignore the insights and experiences of Black women—and fail to see the harm of their "innovations."

source https://www.wired.com/story/listening-to-black-women-the-innovation-tech-cant-figure-out

The SolarWinds Hackers Shared Tricks With a Russian Spy Group

Security researchers have found links between the attackers and Turla, a sophisticated team suspected of operating out of Moscow's FSB intelligence agency.

source https://www.wired.com/story/solarwinds-russia-hackers-turla-malware

The Plan to Build a Global Network of Floating Power Stations

A lot of thermal energy is trapped in the ocean. An ex-NASA researcher has figured out how it might generate unlimited clean power for aquatic robots.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-plan-to-build-a-global-network-of-floating-power-stations

How to Get More Plant-Based Meat Onto Plates in 2021

The consequences of industrial livestock farming are severe. It's time for investors and policymakers to put resources toward the alternatives.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-get-more-plant-based-meat-onto-plates-2021

2021 and the Conspiracies of Johnny Mnemonic

William Gibson was wrong about the wetware implants (not that he wanted to make predictions), but you’re still rooting for his dark, techno-druggy future anyway.

source https://www.wired.com/story/2021-conspiracies-johnny-mnemonic

If You Are Going to Survive, You Must Prepare to Fail

Whether you are ejecting from a fighter jet or psyching yourself up for a meeting, plan for the worst—over and over and over again. And don't forget to breathe.

source https://www.wired.com/story/if-you-are-going-survive-you-must-prepare-fail

CES Liveblog: Smart Home, Workout Tech, and So Many TVs

The consumer tech show is virtual this year, and the WIRED Gear crew is watching all the Zooms to bring you up-to-the-minute coverage of news from CES.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ces-2021-liveblog-day-1

A Newfound Source of Cellular Order in the Chemistry of Life

Inside cells, droplets called condensates merge, divide, and dissolve. Their dance may regulate vital processes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-newfound-source-of-cellular-order-in-the-chemistry-of-life

The Best Cheap Phones for (Almost) Every Budget

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

6 Apps to Help You Trim Down Subscriptions—and Save Money

New year, new recurring subscriptions you've probably forgotten about. Here's how keep track of them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/6-apps-cancel-subscriptions-save-money

A Digital Picture Frame Is My Favorite Way to Keep in Touch

The devices have come a long way and are especially great right now, since they offer a way to connect with long-distance family.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rave-digital-picture-frame

The SolarWinds Investigation Ramps Up

Plus:  Covid-19 contact tracing privacy, a Nissan source code leak, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/solarwinds-krebs-nissan-source-code-security-roundup

What Would It Take to Run a City on 100 Percent Clean Energy?

Most claims of running on “clean” electricity come with caveats, and many technologies required for round-the-clock renewable energy aren’t quite ready yet.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-would-it-take-to-run-a-city-on-100-percent-clean-energy

Amazon's Fitness Tracker Teaches You How to Be Nicer (Kinda)

The Halo is one quirky wearable. But its biofeedback can help your relationships … up to a certain point.

source https://www.wired.com/story/review-amazon-halo-fitness-tracker

The Mystery of the World’s Loneliest Penguins

A small group of king penguins have appeared on Martillo Island in Argentina. How they got there, and whether they will stay, is unknown.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mystery-worlds-loneliest-penguins

How Long Would It Take for a 747 to Stop, Like in Tenet?

The airplane in the movie is stripped down and doesn't have all of its brakes installed, making the calculations even more fun.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-long-would-it-take-747-stop-like-tenet

The 14 Best Weekend Deals on Home Goods, Tech, and TVs

Start the new year right with a new Apple Watch Series 6 or a cast-iron skillet at a discounted price.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-january-9-2021

The Capitol Attack Doesn’t Justify Expanding Surveillance

The security state that failed to keep DC safe doesn't need invasive technology to meet this moment—it needs more civilian oversight.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-capitol-attack-doesnt-justify-expanding-surveillance

The Tweets That Got Trump Banned Were Far From His Worst

In the end, what took down @realDonaldTrump was not what he tweeted, but how it was interpreted.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tweets-got-trump-banned-far-from-worst

The DC Insurrection Lays Bare the Fiction of America

The actions of rioters showed a need to hold on to a vision of the country that’s at odds with reality.

source https://www.wired.com/story/depth-of-field-capitol-mob

A Virus Variant Spreads, Vaccine Efforts Accelerate, and More

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/variant-spreads-vaccine-accelerates-coronavirus-news

WhatsApp Has Shared Your Data With Facebook for Years

A pop-up notification has alerted the messaging app's users to a practice that's been in place sine 2016.

source https://www.wired.com/story/whatsapp-facebook-data-share-notification

Your Media Diet Will Never Be the Same

We have a glut of streaming options. But if recent events show us anything, it's that live TV news is far from obsolete.

source https://www.wired.com/story/2021-media-diet-news-streaming

The Mandalorian Is Way Better in Season 2

The first season of the Star Wars series was good. But in the second, the visuals and writing make the jump to lightspeed.

source https://www.wired.com/2021/01/geeks-guide-the-mandalorian-2

A Trump Ban Is Easy. Fixing Facebook and Twitter Will Be Hard

Plus: Dorsey in the Trump administration's early days, how to define privacy, and chaos in the Capitol.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-trump-ban-easy-fixing-facebook-twitter-hard

Get the Most Out of Your iPad With These Accessories

These are some of our favorite stands, cases, keyboards, and Pencils no matter which iPad you have.

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

Trump Gets Suspended, but CES Does Not

This week, we analyze how the social media platforms reacted to the events of January 6. We also offer our preview of what to expect next week at CES.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-486

The Rise of Sierra Online Wasn’t Exactly a Fairytale

Founder Ken Williams opens up about his new book, video game design in the late 80s—and his regrets about selling the company.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sierra-online-ken-williams-interview-memoir

New York City Proposes Regulating Algorithms Used in Hiring

A bill would require firms to disclose when they use software to assess candidates, and vendors would have to ensure that their tech doesn’t discriminate.

source https://www.wired.com/story/new-york-city-proposes-regulating-algorithms-hiring

The DC Mobs Could Become a Mythologized Recruitment Tool

Wednesday’s riot in Washington was the result of conspiracy theories, anti-government sentiment, and online extremism—and it could start a movement.

source https://www.wired.com/story/trump-dc-protest-online-extremism

What to Expect From the First-Ever Virtual CES

The show must go on.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ces-2021-what-to-expect

How Fast Can Scientists Find the New Coronavirus Strains?

The discovery of more contagious variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the US sparks a push for a long-overdue national genomic surveillance network.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-fast-can-scientists-find-the-new-coronavirus-strains

A Game Livestreaming Site Has Become an Extremist Haven

DC rioters used DLive to stream from the Capitol to thousands of people on Wednesday—and to get donations from them too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dlive-livestreaming-site-extremist-haven

Post-Riot, the Capitol Hill IT Staff Faces a Security Mess

Wednesday's insurrection could have exposed Congressional data and devices in ways that have yet to be appreciated.

source https://www.wired.com/story/capitol-riot-security-congress-trump-mob-clean-up

The Race to Preserve the DC Mob's Digital Traces

The pro-Trump mob that stormed the US Capitol livestreamed their actions. As social media platforms scramble to remove dangerous content, what will become of all that footage?

source https://www.wired.com/story/archive-social-media-footage-pro-trump

Platforms Must Pay for their Role in the Insurrection

Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have spent years fomenting and enabling yesterday's violence at the Capitol. Policymakers need to do something about it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-platforms-must-pay-for-their-role-in-the-insurrection

Call Trump's Scheme for What It Is: Autocracy

Pundits and platforms have spent years mislabeling and under-appreciating threats to democracy. It led to the mob.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-call-trumps-scheme-for-what-it-is-autocracy

Even Mark Zuckerberg Has Had Enough of Trump

By freezing the president’s accounts, social media platforms finally drew a line. It only took a violent insurrection in the Capitol to get them there.

source https://www.wired.com/story/even-mark-zuckerberg-has-had-enough-of-trump

Do I Have a Moral Obligation to Be On TikTok?

I'm only 30, and already feeling like I owe it to society to keep up.

source https://www.wired.com/story/do-i-have-a-moral-obligation-to-be-on-tiktok

Climate Change Is Turning Cities Into Ovens

A new model estimates that by 2100, cities across the world could warm as much as 4.4 degrees Celsius. It’s a deadly consequence of the “heat island” effect.

source https://www.wired.com/story/climate-change-is-turning-cities-into-ovens

How to Find the Perfect Music and Podcasts, Faster

Choosing just the right thing to listen is tricky. Here's how to navigate your options and set the mood.

source https://www.wired.com/story/find-just-the-right-music-faster

These Are the 17 Must-Watch TV Shows of 2021

From Marvel hopefuls to mind-bending dramas, here are all the series you'll need to keep an eye on this year.

source https://www.wired.com/story/2021-must-watch-tv-shows

Ticketmaster Pays Up for Hacking a Rival Company

Employees admitted to using stolen passwords and URL guessing to access confidential data.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ticketmaster-pays-up-hacking-rival-company

Razor’s E-Scooter Isn’t Much of a Kick

This electric scooter offers a stable ride at a relatively affordable price, though its bulky design isn’t the best for apartment-dwelling city slickers.

source https://www.wired.com/review/razor-ecosmart-sup

Activists Publish a Vast Trove of Ransomware Victims' Data

WikiLeaks successor DDoSecrets has amassed a controversial new collection of corporate secrets and is sharing them in the name of transparency.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ddosecrets-ransomware-leaks

Want a Better PC? Try Building Your Own

Assembling a computer yourself is a good way to learn about how it works. It’s also a lost art—one due for a revival.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-build-a-pc

For Marginalized Groups, Being Studied Can Be a Burden

Academics often research minority communities in the hope of helping them. But too much time under the microscope can cause its own harms.

source https://www.wired.com/story/for-marginalized-groups-being-studied-can-be-a-burden

The US Needs More Foreign Artificial Intelligence Know-How

Jason Furman, a top economic adviser to President Obama, says good ideas come from everywhere—but Trump has dissuaded tech workers from coming to the US.

source https://www.wired.com/story/us-needs-more-foreign-artificial-intelligence-know-how

The Autonomous-Car Chaos of the 2004 Darpa Grand Challenge

The self-driving vehicles smashed, burned, flipped, and tipped. But the ambitious race through the Mojave launched an industry.

source https://www.wired.com/story/autonomous-car-chaos-2004-darpa-grand-challenge

There Should Be a Nobel Prize for Vaccine Logistics

Immunization against Covid-19 is not going perfectly, but at least it's going. Let's give credit where it's due.

source https://www.wired.com/story/there-should-be-a-nobel-prize-for-vaccine-logistics

One Free Press Coalition Spotlights Journalists Under Attack - January 2021

This month’s focus is on Zhang Zhan, who had been posting reports from Wuhan since early February. She was arrested in May.

source https://www.wired.com/story/one-free-press-coalition-spotlights-journalists-under-attack-january-2021

26 Movies We Want to See in 2021—One Way or Another

From Dune to Black Widow, a ton of films got delayed due to Covid-19. Here are the ones WIRED is hoping to see, whether at home or (finally) in a theater.

source https://www.wired.com/story/most-anticipated-movies-2021

A Farewell to Adobe Flash—and the Messy, Glorious Web

The software helped create an amateur internet. It’s a far cry from the glossy, corporate one we know now.

source https://www.wired.com/story/farewell-adobe-flash-messy-glorious-web

Watch a Robot Dog Learn How to Deftly Fend Off a Human

Kick over this robot and it’ll quickly right itself—not because someone told it how, but because it taught itself to overcome the embarrassment.

source https://www.wired.com/story/watch-a-robot-dog-learn-how-to-deftly-fend-off-a-human

The Nokia 5.3 Is a Dependable Phone for Under $200

If your budget is tight, this Android smartphone is a smart buy.

source https://www.wired.com/review/nokia-5-3

Twitch Is Having a Political Renaissance

Candidates and organizers are flocking to the platform, with the hope of reaching voters who would normally be disengaged.

source https://www.wired.com/story/politicians-twitch-voters-georgia-election

A 25-Year-Old Bet Comes Due: Has Tech Destroyed Society?

In 1995, a WIRED cofounder challenged a Luddite-loving doomsayer to a prescient wager on tech and civilization’s fate. Now their judge weighs in.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-25-year-old-bet-comes-due-has-tech-destroyed-society

Tenet Is a Must-Watch for Fans of Action Movies

Christopher Nolan's latest has lots of mind-bending action scenes, but not much character development.

source https://www.wired.com/2021/01/geeks-guide-nolan-tenet

The UK Denies Assange's Extradition, Citing Suicide Risk

The ruling is based not on whether the Wikileaks founder violated the Espionage Act, but on the implications of subjecting him to the US carceral state.

source https://www.wired.com/story/julian-assange-extradition-uk-denied

How to Upgrade Your Home Audio While You're Quarantined

Stuck home or not, it's always a good idea to invest in better sound. Our advice and gear recommendations can help.

source https://www.wired.com/story/home-audio-gear-and-tips

Wikipedia's Biggest Challenge Awaits in 2021

Changes proposed by the Wikimedia Foundation to diversify its community of editors raise existential questions for the online encyclopedia.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wikipedias-biggest-challenge-awaits-2021

In India, Smartphones and Cheap Data Are Giving Women a Voice

About 200 million women in the country are illiterate. But voice memo and image-sharing apps make it easier to connect, communicate, and run businesses.

source https://www.wired.com/story/india-smartphones-cheap-data-giving-women-voice

This Drone Sniffs Out Odors With a Real Moth Antenna

Researchers slap a living antenna on a drone to give the machine an insanely keen sense of smell. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the “Smellicopter.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/this-drone-sniffs-out-odors-with-a-real-moth-antenna

Gear and Tips to Winter-Proof Your Home and Stay Warm

So you're freezing inside and outside. Our advice can fix that.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gear-to-winter-proof-your-home

The Milky Way Gets a New Origin Story

Over the past two years, astronomers have rewritten the history of our galaxy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-milky-way-gets-a-new-origin-story

This $40 Cast-Iron Pot Is the Secret to Baking a Perfect Loaf

An inexpensive, so-simple-it-hurts pan has come to rule our food writer's kitchen.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rave-lodge-3-quart-cast-iron-combo-cooker

Humanity Is in Danger of Becoming Obsolete in LX 2048

Director Guy Moshe talks about the ambitious scale and preternatural timeliness of his new sci-fi film.

source https://www.wired.com/story/humanity-in-danger-becoming-obsolete-lx-2048

What a Victorian Disease Detective Proved About Urban Health

John Snow showed that London's cholera outbreak arose from bad water, not the moral failings of the poor. His legacy can help tackle new problems like Covid-19.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-a-victorian-disease-detective-proved-about-urban-health

Ways to Stay Sane and Relaxed During Quarantine

It’s hard to keep calm and carry on when trying not to lose your mind is a struggle. Here are a few tips to help you cope.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ways-to-stay-calm-and-relax-during-quarantine

Zoom Book Tours: 5 Authors on Publishing in a Pandemic

WIRED asked the writers of five of our favorite 2020 titles what it was like to release a book during Covid-19.

source https://www.wired.com/story/zoom-book-tours

How to Make the Most of a Virtual Therapy Session

And some Instagram resources to shore up your mental health, if therapy isn't an option right now.

source https://www.wired.com/story/virtual-therapy-tips-mental-health-instagram

How to Cook in Your Tiny Kitchen (and Stay Sane)

Your cooking area is the size of a Game Boy. But with some strategic gear you can still whip up a storm of good food.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tips-for-the-tiny-kitchen