Far-Right Platform Gab Has Been Hacked—Including Private Data

The transparency group DDoSecrets says it will make the 70GB of passwords, private posts, and more available to researchers, journalists, and social scientists.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gab-hack-data-breach-ddosecrets

The Best Nintendo Switch Games for Every Kind of Player

From Hyrule to Hallownest, these are our absolute favorite video game escapes for the Switch and Switch Lite.

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

A Decades-Long Quest Reveals New Details of Antimatter

Twenty years ago, physicists began investigating a mysterious asymmetry inside the proton. Their results show how antimatter helps stabilize every atom’s core.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-decades-long-quest-reveals-new-details-of-antimatter

How to Set Up a 4G LTE Wi-Fi Network as an Alternative to Broadband

Connecting to cell networks is an increasingly viable option—here’s how it works.

source https://www.wired.com/story/4g-lte-wifi-broadband-at-home

Warnings From the Queer History of Modern Internet Regulation

Section 230 faces countless reform efforts. But a look back reminds us that categorical content bans often come at the expense of marginalized groups.

source https://www.wired.com/story/queer-history-modern-internet-regulation

Period Underwear Changed My Life—and I'm Never Going Back

Wearing underwear designed to absorb my menstrual flow—with no additional protection—has made my period more comfortable. It’s kinder to the planet too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/rave-period-underwear

The SolarWinds Body Count Now Includes NASA and the FAA

Plus: Firefox blocks more tracking, how to fight a robodog, and more of the week’s top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/solarwinds-nasa-faa-robot-dog-fight-security-news

NFTs Boom as Collectors Shell Out to ‘Own’ Digital Art

Non-fungible tokens provide a way to invest in and own digital imagery. But is it just another crypto fad—or the future of intangible art?

source https://www.wired.com/story/nfts-boom-collectors-shell-out-crypto

Clubhouse Cured My Imposter Syndrome

The scammers turned savants and the whimsical nerds who abound on the audio platform have freed me of personal doubt.

source https://www.wired.com/story/clubhouse-cured-my-imposter-syndrome

Ultimate Ears' Fits Are the Comfiest Earbuds I've Ever Tried

The company's custom-molding headphones fit perfectly, even if you have oddly shaped earholes.

source https://www.wired.com/review/ultimate-ears-fits

Border Disputes Threaten Climate Science in the Himalayas

Cross-border teams of scientists need to collaborate on climate models, even as their countries’ militaries clash.

source https://www.wired.com/story/border-disputes-threaten-climate-science-in-the-himalayas

The 20 Best Weekend Deals If You Work From Home

Standing desks, computer monitors, and chairs are all on sale if you’re looking to kit out your new home office.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-february-27-2021

Alexa Skills That Are Actually Fun and Useful

Sure, you can add items to your shopping list, check the weather, and get random trivia. Now let's take your Echo to the next level.

source https://www.wired.com/story/alexa-skills-that-are-actually-fun-and-useful

How Blizzard Transforms Its Fans Into Employees

The game developer has a reputation for pulling some of its most avid fans into its ranks, but whether that relationship will persevere isn't so clear.

source https://www.wired.com/story/blizzard-fans-into-employees-blizzcon

How Google's Grand Plan to Make Stadia Games Fell Apart

The tech giant hired 150 game developers for Stadia Games and Entertainment, only to lay them all off. Sources say it never gave the studios a chance.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-stadia-games-entertainment-collapse

A Shot Nears Approval, Experts Study Transmission, and More

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/shot-approval-transmission-coronavirus-news

Clubhouse's Security and Privacy Lag Behind Its Huge Growth

The platform has promised to do better after a string of incidents. But the hardest part might be managing user expectations.

source https://www.wired.com/story/clubhouse-privacy-security-growth

Blood of Zeus Combines Myth With Saturday Morning Cartoons

The new Netflix animated series puts a new spin on old tales.

source https://www.wired.com/2021/02/geeks-guide-blood-of-zeus

Now Is a Great Time to Try These 5 Menstrual Products

Spending more time at home? Here is some budget- and eco-friendly gear—like a cup, period underwear, or reusable pads—to explore.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-menstrual-products

The Rumored Apple Car Is Bad News for Elon

Plus: The Ford heir, presidential briefings, and a sad day for gadget lovers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-rumored-apple-car-bad-news-tesla

To Quash Disinfo, Researchers Must Work With Journalists

Exposing and fighting the problem requires drawing from reporters' resources and reach.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-disinformation-researchers-must-work-with-journalists

OK, The 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Reveal Was a Good Troll

After several fake-outs, the cast of the movie finally (finally!) revealed the next installment’s title on Wednesday.

source https://www.wired.com/story/spider-man-social-media-trolling

A Very Technical—and Emotional—Journey to Mars

The Perseverance rover is positively packed with tech. We talk about the cameras, mics, and sensors bringing the sights and sounds of Mars back to us.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-493

Coding Blackness: A History of Black Video Game Characters

From nameless grayscale sprites in the ’70s to Spider-Man's Miles Morales now, Black characters in games have come far. But is it enough?

source https://www.wired.com/story/black-character-history-video-games

This Is What It's Like to Live Without Smell

Losing any sense can be devastating, even if you never appreciated it before it was gone.

source https://www.wired.com/story/this-is-what-its-like-to-live-without-smell

Billie Eilish and the Future of the Pop Star Documentary

The Grammy-winner’s Apple TV+ film The World’s a Little Blurry is radical in its transparency.

source https://www.wired.com/story/billie-eilish-evolution-pop-star-doc

I Found My Niche on TikTok—You Can Too

You have one minute to make a statement, but trust me, it's enough time to do something amazing.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-find-community-tiktok-famous

Could Fruit Flies Help Match Patients With Cancer Treatments?

A British company is seeding genetically modified flies with human tumors, giving patients their own personal drug trials.

source https://www.wired.com/story/could-fruit-flies-help-match-patients-with-cancer-treatments

The 19 Best Deals From Winter Clearance Sales This Week

The best time to buy is when the season is winding down. It's not just cold-weather picks, but backpacks, headlamps, sporks, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/winter-clearance-outdoor-sale-february-2021-update

We Still Don’t Know How Well Covid Vaccines Stop Transmission

Two new studies are being hailed as proof that vaccinated people can doff masks and pod-hop worry-free. But not so fast.

source https://www.wired.com/story/we-still-dont-know-how-well-covid-vaccines-stop-transmission

Texas' Icy Disaster Makes the Case for Uniting the US Grid

The national grid is split into sections that can't share much power. Connecting them won't be cheap or easy, but it will help usher in the future of energy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/texas-disaster-makes-the-case-for-uniting-the-grid

Clubhouse Is Booming. So Is the Ecosystem Around It

A wave of startups, features, and tools has sprung up around the popular audio app. And some are looking to cash in.

source https://www.wired.com/story/clubhouse-booming-so-is-ecosystem-around-it

Lora DiCarlo's Baci Has Plenty of Suction Power to Satisfy

This space-age solo suction sex toy is a great way to add some self-care to your day.

source https://www.wired.com/review/lora-dicarlo-baci-robotic

California Can Now Enforce Its Net Neutrality Law

A judge ruled earlier this week on the law, which has faced challenges from lobbyists representing internet providers as well as the Trump administration.

source https://www.wired.com/story/california-enforce-net-neutrality-law

The Terrible T-Mobile/Sprint Merger Must Be Undone

It should have never been allowed, and it’s led to anticompetitive behavior. The Antitrust Division needs to roll it back.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-terrible-t-mobilesprint-merger-must-be-undone

How This Old-School Road Runner Learned to Love Virtual Races

Virtual racing means cool swag, inventive race-day encouragement, and a pre-race bathroom to call your own. Here's how you can get to the starting line.

source https://www.wired.com/story/road-marathon-running-coronavirus-virtual-races

The 5 Best Apps to Get Live TV Without Cable

You don’t have to give up sports or talk shows when you cut the cord. These apps let you stream the same TV channels over the internet.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-live-tv-apps

This Smart Panel Knows Your Electrical System's Cheat Code

Span's electrical panel uses a mobile app to control a home's circuits. It's an essential upgrade for those with a solar battery backup system.

source https://www.wired.com/review/span-smart-electrical-panel

'Lapsis' and the Rise of Gig-Economy Sci-Fi

Like 'Sorry to Bother You,' Noah Hutton’s feature debut uses genre to prod the callous excesses of capitalism

source https://www.wired.com/story/gig-economy-sci-fi-lapsis

Sex Tapes, Hush Money, and Hollywood’s Economy of Secrets

Meet Kevin Blatt, the celebrity fixer who’s a master at shepherding compromising material off the internet—or into the hands of the highest bidder.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sex-tapes-hush-money-hollywood-kevin-blatt

Teaching Classic Lit Helps Game Designers Make Better Stories

Are you game? See How Homer, Faulkner, and Ibsen can help.

source https://www.wired.com/story/classic-literature-game-design-development-better-stories

So Long, Fry's. I Learned Everything About Gadgets From You

Now that the consumer electronics big-box store has shuttered, future generations need a place to go to touch and discover the next great piece of tech.

source https://www.wired.com/story/so-long-frys

Jim Ryan: There Will Be ‘a Completely New VR Format for PS5’

PlayStation's head honcho shares news on PS5 stock, Sony’s 2021 release schedule, and a new PlayStation VR headset.

source https://www.wired.com/story/playstation-ceo-vr-ps5

Biden Faces a Steep Challenge to Unite Democracies on Tech

With tech policy, sorting the world into democratic and authoritarian buckets is far trickier than it sounds.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-biden-faces-a-steep-challenge-to-unite-democracies-on-tech

Need Trail Running Shoes? These Are Our 8 Favorite Pairs

It's one of the most affordable outdoor activities, but you still need a pair of lightweight, nimble shoes.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-trail-running-shoes-round-up

Help! Everyone Is Judging My Messy Bedroom

Welcome to Megan’s weekly advice column for surviving our work-from-home existence.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ooo-help-everyone-is-judging-my-messy-bedroom

Can Video Games Be a Healthy Outlet for Stress Relief?

Personal experience says yes, but here’s what science says on the matter.

source https://www.wired.com/story/casual-games-mental-health

Twinkling Black Holes Reveal an Invisible Cloud in Our Galaxy

Cosmic radio backlights are helping scientists size up “missing” forms of matter and might offer clues about what makes up the universe.

source https://www.wired.com/story/twinkling-black-holes-reveal-an-invisible-cloud-in-our-galaxy

I Woke Up to Australia's Newsless News Feed

For now, Facebook has walked back its clumsy surprise ban on news content. But the social media giant has made clear: It can take news away again.

source https://www.wired.com/story/newsless-news-feed-facebook-australia

8 Great Chess Apps for Beginners and Grand Masters

Sharpen your chess skills—or learn the game from scratch—with these digital options.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-chess-apps

Hackers Tied to Russia's GRU Targeted the US Grid for Years

A Sandworm-adjacent group has successfully breached US critical infrastructure a handful of times, according to new findings from the security firm Dragos.

source https://www.wired.com/story/russia-gru-hackers-us-grid

When the Grid Goes Down, Can a Fleet of Batteries Replace It?

In a power crisis, maybe the solution is a network of smaller energy sources distributed across multiple places—like your garage.

source https://www.wired.com/story/when-the-grid-goes-down-can-a-fleet-of-batteries-replace-it

Twitch’s DMCA Takedowns Threaten to Drive Musicians Away

Twitch once looked like a lifeline for DJs and singers during the pandemic. The platform’s copyright issues tarnish that promise.

source https://www.wired.com/story/twitch-coronavirus-musicians-dmca-takedowns

Lectric’s Ebike Is Heavy but Foldable and Affordable

At $899, this folding electric bike's tremendous value makes it easy to look past its faults.

source https://www.wired.com/review/lectric-xp-bike

Gig Workers Gather Data to Check the Algorithm’s Math

Drivers for Uber, Lyft, and other firms are building apps to compare their mileage with pay slips. One group is selling the data to government agencies.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gig-workers-gather-data-check-algorithm-math

A Guide to HDMI Cables for Next-Gen Gaming

New standards and new consoles mean new terms to understand before you open your wallet.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hdmi-cables-next-gen-gaming-playstation-xbox

The Most Romantic Date Spots in Super Mario 3D World

My partner and I spent 12 hours in a cornucopia of cooperative courtship, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

source https://www.wired.com/story/most-romantic-date-spots-super-mario-3d-world

Facebook’s Petty Unfriending of Australia

There are real flaws in the country’s proposed law to make platforms pay for news, but the social media giant’s protest doesn’t address them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-facebooks-petty-unfriending-of-australia

Think a Temporary Cardboard Desk Is a Good Idea? Think Again

Stykka's StayTheF***Home workspace just wouldn't stay the f*** put.

source https://www.wired.com/review/stykka-stay-the-f-home-cardboard-desk

What a 1900s Wildlife Survey Reveals About Climate Change

A century ago, a biologist counted California's desert animals. Now researchers are retracing his steps—and the results are surprising.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-a-1900s-wildlife-survey-reveals-about-climate-change

How to Remember a Disaster Without Being Shattered by It

Maragaret McKinnon survived a mid-air catastrophe, then became a major researcher of memory and trauma. Now she’s studying how the pandemic will haunt us.

source https://www.wired.com/story/remember-disaster-without-being-shattered-ptsd-covid

2034, Part V: Sailing Into Darkness

“Somewhere in that black hole was the Chinese fleet. She would be expected to find and destroy it.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/2034-part-v-sailing-into-darkness

Perseverance’s Eyes See a Different Mars

The Red Planet’s red looks different to an Earthling than it would to a Martian—or to a robot with hyperspectral cameras for eyes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/perseverances-eyes-see-a-different-mars

The Woman Bulldozing Video Games’ Toughest DRM

For Empress, cracking titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Immortals Fenyx Rising is more than a pastime. It's a mission.

source https://www.wired.com/story/empress-drm-cracking-denuvo-video-game-piracy

How Planes Keep Flying After an Engine Catches Fire

A Boeing 777 shed huge chunks of metal over a Denver suburb over the weekend—but wasn't in danger of going down itself.

source https://www.wired.com/story/boeing-777-engine-fire-twin-jet-failure-flight

The Energy Sector Must Prepare for More Extreme Weather

Energy plants, like those in Texas, don’t guard against events that are perceived to be exceedingly rare. That’s no longer an option.

source https://www.wired.com/story/energy-sector-extreme-weather

Boston Dynamics’ Robot Dog Is Now Armed—in the Name of Art

A group of meme-spinning pranksters attached a paintball gun to the dynamic robot to make a point about the automated future.

source https://www.wired.com/story/boston-dynamics-robot-dog-armed-name-art

The Mantis Shrimp Inspires a New Material—Made by Bacteria

By 3D-printing scaffolds and dipping them in microbe juice, scientists make robust structures that could one day lead to self-growing roads.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-mantis-shrimp-inspires-a-new-material-made-by-bacteria

Lenovo's X1 Carbon Shows Why Linux Is Great on ThinkPads

It’s not flawless, but the excellent hardware and software support make this a great laptop for Linux users.

source https://www.wired.com/review/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-linux-edition

Cheese Actually Isn’t Bad for You

Don’t feel sheepish reaching for that manchego. Cheese doesn’t deserve its unhealthy reputation.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cheese-actually-isnt-bad-for-you

Alexa Has No Place on Your Face. The Echo Frames Prove it

The tech giant’s new smart glasses are an innovative way to accomplish very little.

source https://www.wired.com/review/amazon-echo-frames

The Pandemic Will End—but Covid-19 May Be Here to Stay

Some viruses became endemic over time, circulating constantly, perhaps in a less lethal form. We’ll need a new game plan if this one sticks around.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-pandemic-will-end-but-covid-19-may-be-here-to-stay

China Hijacked an NSA Hacking Tool—and Used It for Years

The hackers used the agency’s EpMe exploit to attack Windows devices years before the Shadow Brokers leaked the agency’s zero-day arsenal online.

source https://www.wired.com/story/china-nsa-hacking-tool-epme-hijack

Million-Year-Old DNA Rewrites Mammoths' Evolutionary Tree

The oldest DNA ever sequenced shows how the genus split off into new species.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ancient-dna-mammoth-evolutionary-tree

Sprinkle Some Fun Into Your Pandemic Home Cooking

Chaat is filled with recipes for making Indian-style snack foods, each a fireworks show of flavor.

source https://www.wired.com/review/chaat-recipes-from-the-kitchens-markets-and-railways-of-india

The Brain’s ‘Background Noise’ May Be Meaningful After All

By digging out signals hidden within the brain’s electrical chatter, scientists are getting new insights into sleep, aging, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-brains-background-noise-may-be-meaningful-after-all

7 Apps to Make the Most of Your Streaming Music Subscription

Do more with your library—find lost tracks, organize your collections, discover new tunes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/7-apps-improve-streaming-music-subscription

The Best Loungewear for Working From Home in Comfort

No one has time to look professional anymore. Just toss on one of these hoodies, shirts, or sweatpants and bask in the snuggles.

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

A Trippy Visualization Charts the Internet's Growth

In 2003, Barrett Lyon created a map of the internet. In 2021, he did it again—and showed just how quickly it's expanded.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opte-internet-map-visualization

Sites Have a Sneaky New Way to Track You Across the Web

Plus: A LastPass rate change, Clubhouse concerns, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/site-tracking-favicons-clubhouse-right-to-repair-security-news

The Best Posture Correctors to Put a Stop to Your Slouch

You're hunched over your desk and phone for hours. So we rounded up the gear to help you straighten up—including a DIY trick and yoga advice.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/posture-correctors

Can Hamburger Buns Save Your Pipes from Freezing?

Water expands when it freezes, and that’s bad for plumbing. Insulation—any insulation—is better than nothing.

source https://www.wired.com/story/can-hamburger-buns-save-your-pipes-from-freezing

Gamify Your Workouts With Ergatta's Rowing Machine

This internet-connected rower makes sweating fun by adding a layer of video game logic to your exercise routine.

source https://www.wired.com/review/ergatta-rower

Why France’s New Tech ‘Repairability Index’ Is a Big Deal

Liberté, égalité, reparabilité.

source https://www.wired.com/story/frances-new-tech-repairability-index-is-a-big-deal

6 Clever Ways to Use the Windows Command Prompt

A rundown of things you can do faster, easier, and with less hassle, all just by peeking under the hood.

source https://www.wired.com/story/6-windows-command-prompt-clever-tips

The 18 Best Weekend Deals on Masks, Headphones, and MacBooks

If you’re looking to stay warm or just need a bit of self-care, check out these discounts.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-february-20-2021

A Second AI Researcher Says She Was Fired by Google

Margaret Mitchell was the co-leader of a group investigating ethics in AI, alongside Timnit Gebru, who said she was fired in December.

source https://www.wired.com/story/second-ai-researcher-says-fired-google

The UK Is the Latest Country to Tighten the Screws on Uber

The country's highest court ruled that the 25 drivers who filed a lawsuit should be considered workers and entitled to minimum wage and vacations.

source https://www.wired.com/story/uk-latest-country-tighten-screws-uber

L.L.Bean’s Extra-Warm Bean Boots Are $140 Off Right Now

The limited-edition, Gore-Tex lined, insulated version of the classic duck boot is $129 at the moment.

source https://www.wired.com/story/llbean-bean-boots-deal-2021

Storm Delays for Vaccines, Expanded Sequencing, and More News

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/storm-delays-vaccines-virus-sequencing-coronavirus-news

What Would It Take to Actually Settle an Alien World?

David Gerrold's new novel Hella is about a low-gravity planet inhabited by dinosaur-like creatures—and it doesn't skip the logistical details of human habitation.

source https://www.wired.com/2021/02/geeks-guide-settle-alien-worlds

Australia Is Fighting a Platform War on the Wrong Battlefield

Plus: Google’s ad software, the future of space travel, and the Texas governor’s weird tune.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-australia-facebook-google

The Love Triangle Is a Sex Toy With a Pleasurable Price

This adorable little device is actually a powerful two-in-one suction toy and vibrator.

source https://www.wired.com/review/satisfyer-love-triangle

The Mars Landing Was the Best Thing on TV This Week

Apologies to all other TV.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mars-rover-perseverance-landing-best-tv

It Shouldn’t Be This Hard to Get a PlayStation 5

This week, we share our horror stories about trying to procure Sony’s elusive new gaming console. We also share tips for testing your own luck.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-492

As Coronavirus Variants Spread, the US Struggles to Keep Up

The nation is a sequencing superpower. But without a federal strategy or enough funding, scientists can’t coordinate to track an evolving threat fast enough.

source https://www.wired.com/story/as-coronavirus-variants-spread-the-us-struggles-to-keep-up

When World of Warcraft Is an Escape—and a Memorial

As kids, my cousin Kano and I spent hours together in this fantastical world. During quarantine, and for the first time since his death, I logged in again.

source https://www.wired.com/story/world-of-warcraft-escape-memorial

Our 14 Favorite Headphones and Earbuds for $100 or Less

You can probably fill a football stadium with all the cheap headphones out there. We're here to help you pick the right pair.

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

The AI Research Paper Was Real. The ‘Coauthor’ Wasn't

An MIT professor found his name on two papers with which he had no connection. A different paper listed a fictitious author by the name of "Bill Franks."

source https://www.wired.com/story/ai-research-paper-real-coauthor-not

Apple Offers Its Closest Look Yet at iOS and MacOS Security

In its latest Platform Security Guide, Cupertino raised the curtain on the critical features that protect against hackers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/apple-platform-security-guide-researchers

NASA Lands the Perseverance Rover on Mars

The science mission will launch the first drone to fly on another planet, attempt making oxygen in space, and search for signs of ancient life.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nasa-lands-the-perseverance-rover-on-mars

The Grim Consequences of a Misleading Study on Disinformation

An influential study relies too heavily on news media reporting—which has only recently acknowledged the social media manipulation problem at all.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-grim-consequences-of-a-misleading-study-on-disinformation

'Valheim' Is the Endless Survival Game You've Been Craving

After a few hours with Steam's newest Early Access success, which surpassed 2 million sales in less than two weeks, the game's allure becomes clear.

source https://www.wired.com/story/valheim-viking-survival-game-youve-been-craving

4 Work-From-Home Tech Tricks I Learned From Twitch Streamers

They stay at their desks for hours at a time, communicate with the world, and look great in the process. Here's what they can teach us.

source https://www.wired.com/story/4-work-from-home-tech-tricks-twitch-streamers

Birders’ Tweets Are Causing an Online Flap

Sharing photos and location details of rare bird sightings is boosting the birdwatching community. But some worry that the exposure threatens the animals.

source https://www.wired.com/story/birders-tweets-are-causing-an-online-flap

Lenovo's Desktop PC Has Plenty of Beauty, Not Enough Brawn

This all-in-one desktop PC has a clever, eye-catching design, but its meager performance doesn't earn kudos.

source https://www.wired.com/review/lenovo-ideacentre-aio-5i-desktop-pc

Online Meetups Are Sad, but What If You Were a Cute Animal?

A conference organizer's solution to virtual gatherings during the pandemic is equal parts audio chat, serendipity, and Animal Crossing.

source https://www.wired.com/story/skittish-andy-baio

The Best Smart Bulbs to Light Up Your Home

They're the easiest way to start building a smarter home. From Nooie and Ikea bulbs to Phillips Hue and ambient lighting kits, here are our favorites.

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

Feds Indict North Korean Hackers for Years of Heists

The three men are allegedly part of a group that tried to steal $1.3 billion in an extended—and ongoing—cybercrime spree.

source https://www.wired.com/story/north-korea-hackers-indictment-cryptocurrency-sony-swift

Parler Says It's Back

The platform was kicked off Amazon's servers. Now it says it's no longer relies on "Big Tech" for its infrastructure.

source https://www.wired.com/story/parler-says-its-back

Keep This Gear at Home In Case of Emergencies

From flashlights to water purifiers, these items can be of immense help in case of a natural disaster or power outage.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-home-emergency-gear

Malware Is Now Targeting Apple’s New M1 Processor

Two distinct strains of malware have already adjusted to the new silicon just months after its debut.

source https://www.wired.com/story/apple-m1-malware

Researchers Are Studying These Worm Blobs to Build Robots

These crawlers form clumps to protect the collective. Understanding their movement gives engineers a model for shape-shifting robot swarms.

source https://www.wired.com/story/researchers-are-studying-these-worm-blobs-to-build-robots

The Pandemic Holds These Keys to a Better Education

First of all, shorten your lectures. Now is the time to rethink the way that schools should accommodate students and teachers from all backgrounds.

source https://www.wired.com/story/better-education-coronavirus-pandemic-tips-teachers

How to Watch NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover Landing

NASA’s biggest and boldest rover attempts a momentous landing on February 18. Here’s how to watch—and why you should.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-watch-nasas-perseverance-mars-rover-landing

The LA Musician Who Designed a Microphone for Mars

How an obsession with space led to a partnership on the Perseverance rover—and the chance we could finally hear what our planetary neighbor sounds like.

source https://www.wired.com/story/musician-who-designed-microphone-mars

What My Dialup Youth Taught Me About Sex and the Internet

The first generation of girls to grow up on the internet are now parents themselves. That might mean a new approach to sex education.

source https://www.wired.com/story/dial-up-youth-sex-and-the-internet

TV Characters Don’t Have Text History. This Is Not OK

You’ve seen it before: If a show includes a shot of a texting app, it looks like characters who are intimate have somehow never texted each other before.

source https://www.wired.com/story/texting-on-tv

How to Get Started Making Bread at Home

Save some dough by baking your own. Here are our favorite tips, tools, and recipes to help your homemade loaf rise above.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bread-guide

Nature Makes Wood. Could a Lab Make It Better?

For millennia, humans have been chopping down trees and harvesting plants. Lab-grown plant material might change that.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nature-makes-wood-could-a-lab-make-it-better

How to Avoid Phishing Emails and Scams

It's is a bigger threat than ever. Here are some ways you can defend yourself.

source https://www.wired.com/2017/03/phishing-scams-fool-even-tech-nerds-heres-avoid

If Work Is Going Remote, Why Is Big Tech Still Building?

Google, Facebook, and others promise more flexibility to work from home. But they’re charging ahead with plans for more offices.

source https://www.wired.com/story/work-going-remote-why-big-tech-building

2034, Part IV: The Spratly Islands Ambush

“In a thousand years America won’t be remembered as a country, but simply as a fleeting moment.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/2034-part-iv-spratly-islands-ambush

New From Lego: AR Llamas That Dance to Katy Perry

The company's latest learning platform incorporates coding elements, augmented reality, and a selection of kid-friendly pop tunes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/lego-vidiyo

France Ties Russia's Sandworm to a Multiyear Hacking Spree

A French security agency warns that the destructively minded group has exploited an IT monitoring tool from Centreon.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sandworm-centreon-russia-hack

How to Calculate the String Angle of a Kite vs. a Balloon

It's a beautiful day to go outside with a kite or a balloon, and compute how wind speed alters their flight.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-calculate-string-angle-kite-vs-balloon

How to Use Your PS5 or Xbox Controller Everywhere Else

Want to play games on your phone, desktop, laptop, or tablet? If you own a console, you probably don't need a separate controller.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-pair-ps5-xbox-controller-with-pc-laptop-phone-tablet

Billionaires See VR as a Way to Avoid Radical Social Change

Tech oligarchs are encouraging the creation of virtual worlds as a cheap way to avoid problems in the real one.

source https://www.wired.com/story/billionaires-use-vr-avoid-social-change

Underwater Meditation and the Therapeutic Benefits of VR

Virtual reality can be a supportive tool for people with disabilities or anxiety, or who just need help getting up and moving.

source https://www.wired.com/story/virtual-reality-therapeutic-benefits-travel-socializing-exercise

A Case Against the Peeping Tom Theory of Privacy

Yes, it's creepy when companies can track your every move. But that's not the only problem.

source https://www.wired.com/story/against-peeping-tom-theory-of-privacy

How Covid Gums Up the Court System

Videofeeds sometimes fail, defense attorneys can’t confer with clients, and witnesses have a hard time reviewing documents.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-covid-gums-up-court-system

Scientists Find Strange Critters Under a Half Mile of Ice

Researchers only drilled through an Antarctic ice shelf to sample sediment. Instead, they found animals that weren't supposed to be there.

source https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-discover-strange-creatures-under-a-half-mile-of-ice

What Happens When You Swap a Human Gene With a Neanderthal’s?

Now that we’ve gotten a look at the genomes of archaic humans, researchers are trying to determine whether our differences are due to genetics.

source https://www.wired.com/story/replace-human-genes-neanderthals

Authoritarian Regimes Could Exploit Cries of ‘Deepfake’

Identifying doctored videos is essential. But assuming everything is faked allows autocrats to cast doubt on real videos of their violence.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-authoritarian-regimes-could-exploit-cries-of-deepfake

Don’t Tell Einstein, but Black Holes Might Have ‘Hair’

The general theory of relativity states that black holes have only three observable properties; additional ones, or “hair,” do not exist. Or do they?

source https://www.wired.com/story/dont-tell-einstein-but-black-holes-might-have-hair

How to Level Up Your At-Home Recording Studio

Ready to upgrade your USB microphone or headset to something better? Here’s how to make sense of pro(ish) audio gear.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-level-up-home-recording-studio

The Untold History of America’s Zero-Day Market

The lucrative business of dealing in code vulnerabilities is central to espionage and war planning, which is why brokers never spoke about it—until now.

source https://www.wired.com/story/untold-history-americas-zero-day-market

A Billion-Dollar Dark Web Crime Lord Calls It Quits

The “big hack” redux, riot planning on Facebook, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/jokerstash-retires-big-hack-security-news

Scientists Can Literally Become Allergic to Their Research

Researchers spend long periods of time around the organisms they study. Sometimes, that exposure has unintended—and potentially deadly—effects.

source https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-can-literally-become-allergic-to-their-research

19 Face Masks We Actually Like to Wear

Plus, updated tips on how to wear them most effectively—whether you're running, going to work, or just trying to stay safe and stylish.

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

The Best Presidents' Day Deals for the Home, Phones, and More

Take advantage of the many sales going on this weekend and save on gear you might need.

source https://www.wired.com/story/presidents-day-deals-2021

We Need a Global Outbreak Investigation Team—Now

The WHO’s fact-finding mission into the origins of Covid-19 was limited and late. But there are models to help prepare for the next crisis.

source https://www.wired.com/story/we-need-a-global-outbreak-investigation-team-now

A New Artificial Intelligence Makes Mistakes—on Purpose

A chess program that learns from human error might be better at working with people or negotiating with them.

source https://www.wired.com/story/new-artificial-intelligence-mistakes-purpose-chess

How to Have a Meaningful Video Chat … With Your Dog

Has the pandemic separated you from your four-legged friend? These tips will help you stay in touch.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-have-a-meaningful-video-chat-with-your-dog

The Rot of Riot Games Culture Starts at the Top

CEO Nicolo Laurent continues to employ multiple top executives who have been accused of sexism and harassment—and is himself the subject of a complaint.

source https://www.wired.com/story/riot-games-ceo-culture-complaints

Researchers Levitated a Small Tray Using Nothing but Light

One day a “magic carpet” based on this light-induced flow technology could carry climate sensors high in the atmosphere—wind permitting.

source https://www.wired.com/story/researchers-levitated-a-small-tray-using-nothing-but-light

Vaccine Progress, New Mask Guidelines, and More News

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/vaccine-progress-new-mask-guidelines-coronavirus-news

Mrs. Coulter Is One of the Best Villains on TV

Ruth Wilson's character is the highlight of HBO's His Dark Materials.

source https://www.wired.com/2021/02/geeks-guide-his-dark-materials-2

The Crushing Disappointment of Fandom

Gina Carano, Joss Whedon—this week has been full of dispiriting news about people many fans admire.

source https://www.wired.com/story/disappointment-of-fandom

New York City’s Surveillance Battle Offers National Lessons

A lack of police transparency highlights how citizens need to remain vigilant to take back control over their privacy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-new-york-citys-surveillance-battle-offers-national-lessons

Optimizely’s Founder Wants to Augment Your Memories

Plus: The Obama campaign’s data wiz, the limits of content moderation, and a video filter gone awry.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-new-company-total-recall-zoom

Samsung's Galaxy Buds Pro Are the Best Premium Earbuds

Samsung's AirPods Pro competitors have better battery life, better sound, and a more comfortable fit than Apple's buds.

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

Hackers, Mason Jars, and the Science of DIY Shrooms

The history of home cultivation methods of Psilocybe is more connected to early internet culture than you'd think.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hackers-mason-jars-psychedelic-science-diy-shrooms

Carjackings Are Up—and Gig Workers Are Getting Victimized

Drivers, often unfamiliar with a neighborhood, leave cars running while dropping off food. Opportunistic thieves lie in wait.

source https://www.wired.com/story/carjackings-up-gig-workers-victimized

The Wanting Mare Is the Most Visual Fantasy in Recent Memory

It asks you to dig into your past—with the help of some magic horses.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wanting-mare-is-most-visual-fantasy-recent-memory

This Cryptocurrency Is Really Burning a Hole in My Pocket

This week, we discuss crypto’s role in the future of shopping. When can we to use it to buy everything from Nikes to Teslas?

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-491

If You Can Learn Twitch-Speak, You Can Learn a Language

If I could come to understand forsenCD and poggers, then teaching myself Mandarin Chinese didn't seem too far-fetched.

source https://www.wired.com/story/twitch-chat-language-learning-mandarin-chinese

Microsoft’s Big Win in Quantum Computing Was an ‘Error’

In a 2018 paper, researchers said they found evidence of an elusive theorized particle. A closer look now suggests otherwise.

source https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-win-quantum-computing-error

Our Picks From Outdoor Winter Clearance Sales Going on Now

The best time to buy is when the season is winding down. It's not just cold-weather picks, but backpacks, headlamps, sporks, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/winter-clearance-outdoor-sale-february-2021

The Hollywood Tech Tricks Getting Film Crews Back On Set

Filmmakers really can’t WFH during a pandemic. These innovations help them shoot from a safe distance.

source https://www.wired.com/story/hollywood-covid-19-filmmaking-tech

The CDC Now Recommends Double-Masking. Here's How to Do It

The CDC has released a report showing that two masks are better than one for curbing transmission of the coronavirus. Here's the proper way to double up.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-double-mask

Aurora Partners With Toyota on Self-Driving Sienna Taxis

The autonomous vehicle startup purchased Uber’s struggling self-driving technology division in December.

source https://www.wired.com/story/aurora-partnership-toyota-self-driving-taxis

As More Women Enter Science, It’s Time to Redefine Mentorship

In STEM fields, female students often can’t find an adviser who looks like them. It’s important to talk about what they need from a mentor.

source https://www.wired.com/story/as-more-women-enter-science-its-time-to-redefine-mentorship

A Windows Defender Flaw Lurked Undetected for 12 Years

Microsoft has finally patched the bug in its antivirus program after researchers spotted it last fall.

source https://www.wired.com/story/windows-defender-vulnerability-twelve-years

The Best Base Layers to Keep You Warm

Strip down to basics with our favorite blended, merino wool, and synthetic tops.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-base-layers-winter

NASA Wants to Set a New Radiation Limit for Astronauts

As the agency considers sending people to the moon and Mars, it’s taking a fresh look at the research on cancer risk and recalculating acceptable thresholds.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nasa-wants-to-set-a-new-radiation-limit-for-astronauts

WandaVision Brought the Multiverse to Marvel

And just like at DC, and maybe even at Star Wars, I promise you it will end in tears.

source https://www.wired.com/story/wandavision-marvel-dc-star-wars-multiverse-collapse

Games Don’t Judge You for Expressing Your True Self

Players in Stardew Valley and other titles are experiencing a kind of gender euphoria—and it’s helping them be themselves.

source https://www.wired.com/story/stardew-valley-gender-euphoria-games

Premature Babies and the Lonely Terror of a Pandemic NICU

Baby Olivia weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces. Her doctors faced a stressful paradox: giving her the healing power of a parent's touch, while keeping the virus out.

source https://www.wired.com/story/preterm-babies-lonely-terror-of-a-pandemic-nicu

16 Valentine's Day Deals for Your Sweetheart (or Yourself)

From a bouquet of flowers to sex tech, you can save on gifts for your special someone.

source https://www.wired.com/story/valentines-day-deals-2021

Listen to an 18,000-Year-Old Instrument Sing Once More

Long, long ago, a human modified a conch shell to belt out a tune. Here's how scientists resurrected its triumphant sound.

source https://www.wired.com/story/listen-to-an-18000-year-old-instrument-sing-once-more

The Case for Launching an Easy Mode for Difficult Games

Balancing a studio’s desire to create a challenging game and casual players’ demands for something lighter can be tough. Control did it very well.

source https://www.wired.com/story/casual-gamer-control-easy-mode-wait

The Best Mirrorless Cameras to Level Up Your Photos

Want the image quality of a DSLR without the bulk? These mirrorless cameras do more with less.

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

A Barcode Scanner App With Millions of Downloads Goes Rogue

After an update in December, the app began infecting Android devices, bombarding users with ads on their default browser.

source https://www.wired.com/story/barcode-scanner-app-millions-downloads-goes-rogue

Game Subscriptions Are On the Rise. Indies Could Suffer

Curated video game ecosystems pose an uncertain future for those outside the blockbuster bubble.

source https://www.wired.com/story/game-subscription-indie-developers-gamepass-playstation

The Digital Divide Is Giving American Churches Hell

Covid-19 has upended churchgoing in the US. Like so much else with the pandemic, the impacts are not felt equally.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-digital-divide-giving-american-churches-hell

Beijing’s Ban on Clubhouse Won't Deter Some Listeners

The audio app hosted discussions on sensitive topics such as Taiwan and Uighurs before it was removed from the App Store. Some users have found workarounds.

source https://www.wired.com/story/beijing-ban-clubhouse-wont-deter-listeners

How to Make Your Music Streaming a Little More Social

Share playlists, listen with friends remotely, and stay connected with these tips.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-make-streaming-music-social

Cyberpunk 2077 Maker Was Hit With Ransomware—and Won't Pay Up

CD Projekt Red's list of woes gets longer, as hackers claim to have stolen the source code for their most popular games.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cd-projekt-red-ransomware-hack-cyberpunk-2077-source-code

Covid-19 Vaccine Scams Spread Under Facebook's Watch

Don’t use an iTunes gift card to purchase doses of the vaccine online.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-vaccine-scams-spread-facebook-telegram

The Best Running Gear for Your Long and Chilly Winter

Your gym might be closed, but the roads and parks are full. Get started running with our favorite cold-weather picks.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-running-gear

How to Keep Kids Engaged in School—With Games

Teaching my high school class remotely hasn't been easy. But it has taught me a lot about how to use interactive tools to keep their attention.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-keep-kids-engaged-in-school-with-games

How This Teeny-Tiny Sea Critter Punches Like Mike Tyson

Using a camera shooting 300,000 frames per second, researchers catch the amphipod snapping its extraordinarily powerful claw.

source https://www.wired.com/story/teeny-tiny-sea-critter-punches-like-mike-tyson

Artists Reimagine How Covid-19 Will Shape the Art World

When galleries and museums closed, artists found new ways to present their work. Now they're looking ahead to what their craft will look like after the pandemic.

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

Would You Trade a Bitcoin for a Tesla?

The maker of electric vehicles said it had invested $1.5 billion in bitcoin and plans to accept the cryptocurrency as payment for its cars.

source https://www.wired.com/story/would-you-trade-bitcoin-tesla

2034, Part III: One Left to Tell the Tale

“When the planes didn't attack, a silence fell over the crew. Why didn't they finish the job?”

source https://www.wired.com/story/2034-part-iii-one-left-tell-tale

The AirPods Max Are Insanely Great—and Insanely Expensive

Apple’s flagship noise-canceling headphones have a premium build and a premium price tag, but they also sound better than the rest.

source https://www.wired.com/review/apple-airpods-max

A Hacker Tried to Poison a Florida City's Water Supply

The attacker upped sodium hydroxide levels in the Oldsmar, Florida, water supply to extremely dangerous levels.

source https://www.wired.com/story/oldsmar-florida-water-utility-hack

Everyone on Twitter Needs an Etiquette Manual

After a year of quarantine, we could all use help relearning how to connect to people in a healthy way.

source https://www.wired.com/story/everyone-on-twitter-needs-an-etiquette-manual

How Did They Find the Secret Space Lab in Captain Marvel?

They talk about something called state vectors. What the heck are those, and would it really work?

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-find-secret-space-lab-captain-marvel

Forget Blood—Your Skin Might Know If You’re Sick

This glowing microneedle test could catalyze a transition from blood-based diagnostics to a stick-on patch.

source https://www.wired.com/story/forget-blood-your-skin-might-know-if-youre-sick

Tips on How to Snag a PlayStation 5 (Good Luck!)

Months after launch, Sony's latest console is proving difficult to find for many. We've got some tips on how to score one.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-buy-sony-playstation-5

Films of the Era Will Be as Unbalanced as the Pandemic Itself

What will films look like because of Covid-19? The same as during any other traumatic event. Some good, some bad, some brilliant.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sundance-malcolm-and-marie-pandemic-movies

The Secret, Essential Geography of the Office

A workplace has its own informal cardinal directions: elevatorward, kitchenward, bathroomward. It's a map we share.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-secret-essential-geography-of-the-office

A Historic Union Vote Gets Underway at Amazon

A warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, could become the first Amazon union in the US. But it won’t happen overnight.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-historic-union-vote-gets-underway-alabama

All These Mutant Virus Strains Need New Code Names

As potentially more dangerous variants of Covid-19 spread, scientists are taking a crack at giving them clearer names that’ll help in the fight.

source https://www.wired.com/story/all-these-mutant-virus-strains-need-new-code-names

How Choreography Can Help Robots Come Alive

Dance and robotics rarely overlap. But if they did, it could make robots seem less like industrial contrivances, and more like empathetic beings.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-choreography-can-help-robots-come-alive

A Silicon Chip Shortage Is Causing Big Issues for Automakers

Car companies have had to reduce output, pause production, and even idle shifts and entire factories.

source https://www.wired.com/story/silicon-chip-shortage-automakers

What Dust From Space Tells Us About Ourselves

Micrometeorites fill every corner of our planet. Matthew Genge is using these shards of interplanetary space to understand Earth and its place in the solar system.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-dust-from-space-tells-us-about-ourselves

These Are the 11 Android Phones Worth Buying

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

How to Free Up Space on Your Laptop

Running out of storage for that new game or work files you need to download? Here’s how to make some room.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-free-space-on-your-laptop

How to Stream the Super Bowl, Kitten Bowl, and Puppy Bowl

It's a day of Bowls and we'll tell you how to watch every one of them online, for free.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-watch-stream-super-bowl-kitten-bowl-puppy-bowl-2021

Sad QAnon Followers Are at a Precarious Pivot Point

Disillusioned after Biden was sworn in, conspiracy theorists could now be swayed back to reality by conservatives and family members—or toward darker fringes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-sad-qanon-followers-are-at-a-precarious-pivot-point

How to Find a Better Cell Phone Carrier

Everyone has an opinion on their wireless carrier, but the “best” option for you isn’t the best option for someone else. Here’s how to decide.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-find-better-cell-phone-carrier

Government Demands for Amazon User Data Exploded in 2020

Plus: Smartmatic lawsuits, a fake WhatsApp, and more of the week’s top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-data-requests-smartmatic-lawsuits-security-roundup

The Best Electric Toothbrushes for Your Pearly Whites

Yes, you have to recharge a toothbrush, but these can actually make brushing a little easier. Here are our favorites.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-electric-toothbrushes

How Steel Might Finally Kick Its Coal Habit

In order to curb the industry's prolific carbon emissions, the sector will have to transform how the material is traditionally made.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-steel-might-finally-kick-its-coal-habit

Finally, an Interesting Proposal for Section 230 Reform

A new bill directly targets the most egregious excesses of online platform immunity.

source https://www.wired.com/story/section-230-reform-safe-tech-act

A New Vaccine, Protection Against Strains, and More News

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/new-vaccine-protection-against-strains-coronavirus-news

Bliss Is the Worst Kind of Open-Ended Sci-Fi Movie

The director Mike Cahill loves ambiguity—and he used to be good at it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bliss-is-worst-kind-open-ended-sci-fi-film

'Thoughts and Prayers' Is Clever Sci-Fi About Internet Trolls

Ken Liu's new short story is about a mother and father who get harassed online when they advocate for gun control following their daughter's murder.

source https://www.wired.com/2021/02/geeks-guide-thoughts-and-prayers

Screw It, Give 'The Mandalorian' a Golden Globe

It’s ridiculous that I May Destroy You wasn’t nominated. But if Michaela Coel won't get an award, at least give one to Baby Yoda.

source https://www.wired.com/story/michaela-coel-deserved-a-golden-globe-nomination

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

Jeff Bezos Doesn’t Have Time to Be CEO of Amazon

Plus: The shelf life of a tech executive, innovation in the Covid era, and a green new emailer.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-jeff-bezos-ceo-amazon

Stunning Images of Starlings in Flight

For this Danish photographer, documenting the birds’ migration through the autumn dusk takes patience—and a fast shutter speed.

source https://www.wired.com/story/stunning-images-of-starlings-in-flight

Clubhouse Goes Mainstream—Where Does It Go Next?

This week, we discuss Elon Musk's drop-in and how the platform is weathering its growing pains.

source https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-490

Why This Year’s Super Bowl Will Look Like Madden IRL

Sunday’s matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might make TV viewers feel like they should have a controller in their hand.

source https://www.wired.com/story/super-bowl-madden-vision

More Covid Vaccine Choices Mean New Equity Challenges

Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine can be delivered in a single dose, but it’s also slightly less effective. Who should get it?

source https://www.wired.com/story/more-covid-vaccine-choices-mean-new-equity-challenges

Everything You Need to Know About the Coronavirus

Here's all the WIRED coverage in one place, from how to keep your children entertained to how this outbreak is affecting the economy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-guide-faq-advice

The Gaming Platforms That Let Streamers Profit From Hate

WIRED has found dozens of far-right and white supremacist figures monetizing their livestreams through “donation management services” Streamlabs and StreamElements.

source https://www.wired.com/story/streamlabs-streamelements-far-right-white-supremacy-monetize

A Coordinated Takedown Targets 'OGUser' Account Thieves

Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have all taken action against the hacker community in recent days.

source https://www.wired.com/story/oguser-instagram-twitter-tiktok-takedown

A New Lens Technology Is Primed to Jump-Start Phone Cameras

The optics in your smartphone have been pretty much the same for more than a decade. That’s about to change.

source https://www.wired.com/story/metalenz-smartphone-lens

There Are Spying Eyes Everywhere—and Now They Share a Brain

Security cameras. License plate readers. Smartphone trackers. Drones. We’re being watched 24/7. What happens when all those data streams fuse into one?

source https://www.wired.com/story/there-are-spying-eyes-everywhere-and-now-they-share-a-brain

10 Great TV and Soundbar Deals for the Super Bowl

Yeah, there's a big football game this weekend, but we're more excited about these OLED TV and soundbar deals.

source https://www.wired.com/story/super-bowl-tv-and-soundbar-deals-2021

The Video Games We’re Most Looking Forward to in 2021

New consoles mean new titles. Time to strap in and get ready to play.

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

Here’s What Learning to Juggle Does to Your Brain

First of all, you have to stop thinking and kind of become a robot.

source https://www.wired.com/story/heres-what-learning-juggle-does-your-brain

On the Capitalist Internet, Even Celebs Join the Gig Economy

Gimmicky message services like Cameo treat goodwill as a friendly contagion, something anyone can catch and spread. Just don’t let the money run out.

source https://www.wired.com/story/on-the-capitalist-internet-even-celebs-join-the-gig-economy

Lo-Fi Music Streams Are All About the Euphoria of Less

On an internet built around excess, lo-fi hip-hop channels have created a community for minimalist escape.

source https://www.wired.com/story/youtube-lo-fi-hip-hop

How Censorship Can Influence Artificial Intelligence

A study finds that algorithms learn to associate words with other words. “Democracy” can equal “stability”—or “chaos.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-censorship-can-influence-artificial-intelligence

How to Make a Fitbit for an Elephant

The accelerometers give scientists information about whether animals are swimming, walking, running, or even sprinting up a hill.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-make-a-fitbit-for-an-elephant

Inside the World of Young Black Sims Content Creators

In The Sims, you can ideally design a whole new life. These modders and designers found the game fell short of that promise, so they're picking up the slack.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sims-mods-black-creators-customization

Biden Has to Walk a Fine Line When Fighting Disinformation

The president pledged to defend the truth, but how far can he go without impinging Americans’ rights or undermining his cause?

source https://www.wired.com/story/joe-biden-walk-fine-line-when-fighting-disinformation

AI and the List of Dirty, Naughty … and Otherwise Bad Words

It started as a way to restrict autocompletes on Shutterstock. Now it grooms search suggestions on Slack and influences Google's artificial intelligence research.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ai-list-dirty-naughty-obscene-bad-words

The Sims Made Me Realize I'm Ready for More In Life

I'm ready for a partner and kids—and if you're a little more mindful while playing, you just might realize something about yourself, too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sims-game-psychology

So, Jeff Bezos, You Really Want to Fix the Planet?

Amazon's founder is stepping down to focus on other projects, like the Bezos Earth Fund. Here's what he can do to help fix the mess humans have made of the world.

source https://www.wired.com/story/so-jeff-bezos-you-really-want-to-fix-the-planet

8 Tips to Transform Your Sims 4 Gameplay

From secret aspirations to custom graveyards, YouTube creator and transgender artist Juno Birch spills the tea on Sims 4.

source https://www.wired.com/story/8-tips-sims-4-juno-birch

Amazon's Greatest Gadget Hits: Highlights of the Bezos Era

Amazon has made a lot of helpful, but also bizarre, stuff during CEO Jeff Bezos’s reign. Here are some of our favorites.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-gadgets-list-bezos-era

Why ‘Inside Job’ Zoombombs Are So Hard to Stop

Researchers have found that most calls to disrupt videoconferences originate with the participants, especially in high schools and colleges.

source https://www.wired.com/story/zoombomb-inside-jobs

Among Us Taps Into Our Obsession With Betrayal

The massively popular game gives players the freedom and autonomy to backstab one another—but also build connections.

source https://www.wired.com/story/among-us-psychology-betrayal

The Chrome Update Is Bad for Advertisers, but Good for Google

The world’s most popular browser is about to make it a lot harder for advertisers to track your online activity.

source https://www.wired.com/story/chrome-cookie-update-advertisers-google

The Line Between Digital Trade and Security Is Always Blurry

Internet regulators around the world conflate the two, which strains international relations.

source https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-line-between-digital-trade-and-security-is-always-blurry

The Medium Doesn’t Live Up to Its Best Ideas

Bloober Team’s newest horror title is a bad deal at $50 but a great way to pass a weekend on Game Pass.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-medium-review-game-pass

3 Services to Help You Take Charge of Your Mental Health

We're all having a tough time right now, but these apps, podcasts, and websites can provide a lifeline.

source https://www.wired.com/story/three-services-help-mental-health

What Will it Take to Make Covid-19 Vaccines Variant-Proof?

As emerging mutations threaten the progress made against the pandemic, scientists and regulators are racing to figure out a process for updating shots.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-will-it-take-to-make-covid-19-vaccines-variant-proof

The Best Deals and Cases for Every Galaxy S21

We break down the differences between Samsung’s three Galaxy phones—and our favorite accessories and discounts.

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

It’s Time for a National Pandemic Prediction Agency

A federal office that collects outbreak data, models epidemics, and spreads the word to the public could keep the next Covid from being another Covid.

source https://www.wired.com/story/its-time-for-a-national-pandemic-prediction-agency

A Second SolarWinds Hack Deepens Third-Party Software Fears

It appears that not only Russia but also China targeted the company, a reminder of the many ways interconnectedness can go wrong.

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

Bezos' Departure as CEO Shows Amazon Is a Cloud Company Now

Andy Jassy, who helped create Amazon Web Services in 2006 and has run it since, will take over as chief executive later this year.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bezos-departure-ceo-shows-amazon-cloud-company

The Amazon Case Signals a Tougher Stance on Gig Economy Firms

The retail giant agrees to repay almost $62 million in tips to drivers for its Flex delivery service; the company used the money to meet its promised hourly wages.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-case-signals-tougher-stance-gig-economy-firms

US Cities Are Way Underreporting Their Carbon Footprints

A modeling system called Vulcan shows that on average, cities across the country pollute 18.3 percent more than they’ve estimated.

source https://www.wired.com/story/american-cities-underreporting-their-carbon-footprints

How to Use Your Speedometer to Figure Out Where Your Car Is

You should never drive in a car with no windows. But in case you ever find yourself in one, you can use physics to get your bearings.

source https://www.wired.com/story/use-speedometer-figure-out-where-car-is

The Audio Design Hacks That Made Mank Sound Like Citizen Kane

Ren Klyce had to experiment with a lot of new ideas to make David Fincher's movie sound old.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mank-netflix-sound-design

The Race Is On to Stop Scalping Bots From Buying All the PS5s

The pandemic, and the resulting supply chain damage, has kicked retail bots into full gear.

source https://www.wired.com/story/scalping-bots-buying-all-the-ps5s

The No-Good Very Nasty Remastering of The Lord of the Rings

In correcting every imperfection and sharpening every blur of his epic fantasy trilogy, Peter Jackson has violated a fundamental law of nature.

source https://www.wired.com/story/no-good-very-nasty-remastering-the-lord-of-the-rings

As Robots Fill the Workplace, They Must Learn to Get Along

Warehouses, factories, and hospitals are deploying more robots, often made by different companies. That can lead to communication problems.

source https://www.wired.com/story/robots-fill-workplace-must-learn-get-along

An Inclusive, Cyberpunk Future Is In the Cards

A humble card game, Android: Netrunner has the same roots as Cyberpunk 2077— but went in an entirely different direction.

source https://www.wired.com/story/inclusive-cyberpunk-future-android-netrunner

The New Moto G Series Really Phones It In

Motorola's new phones will meet the most minimal of expectations.

source https://www.wired.com/review/moto-g-2021-all-models

Face ID Will Soon Work With a Mask—If You Have an Apple Watch

Recognizing you while your face is covered is still pretty tough for a computer.

source https://www.wired.com/story/iphone-face-id-mask-ios-beta

2034, Part II: Blackout in Washington, DC

“So much was happening and yet they had no news. Everything had been compromised.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/2034-part-ii-blackout-washington-dc

Those Most Likely to Get Covid Are Last in Line for Vaccines

Distribution plans that favor people with time and internet access hurt Black and Latinx people disproportionately.

source https://www.wired.com/story/most-likely-covid-last-vaccines

The Lion, the Polygamist, and the Biofuel Scam

How a member of a breakaway Mormon sect teamed up with a Lambo-driving, hard-partying tycoon to bilk the government for hundreds of millions of dollars.

source https://www.wired.com/story/lion-polygamist-and-biofuel-scam

The World in Cyberpunk 2077 Is Hollow—the Posters Prove It

Sex and violence sells, I guess.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cyberpunk-posters-sex-and-violence

One Free Press Coalition Spotlights Journalists Under Attack - February 2021

This month's focus is on reporter Mohamad Mosaed, an outspoken critic of the Iranian government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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

'Fake Famous' Review: A Fun Window Into Instagram Influencers

In Fake Famous, journalist Nick Bilton sets out to document how easy it is to manufacture celebrity online.

source https://www.wired.com/story/fake-famous-review-instagram-influencers-documentary

Grado’s No-Frills Wireless Buds Have Seriously Good Sound

The GT220 have the excellent audio quality the company is known for, and they fit better than most of the competition.

source https://www.wired.com/review/grado-gt220

Biden Wants the Government to Run on EVs. It Won’t Be Easy

The president hopes electrifying the federal fleet will create jobs and encourage motorists to ditch gas-powered cars. But no automaker is ready yet.

source https://www.wired.com/story/biden-wants-government-run-evs-not-easy

Two Paths for the Extremely Online Novel

Lauren Oyler's Fake Accounts and Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This ask the same questions about the internet. Their answers sound nothing alike.

source https://www.wired.com/story/extremely-online-novels

Here’s the Right Way to Rescue a Soaking Wet Smartphone

Given the hundreds of ways your phone could come into life-threatening contact with liquid, you should know what to do when it happens (because it will).

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-rescue-a-wet-phone

February’s Gonna Be a Big Month for Mars

On the 9th, the first of three spacecraft will arrive at the Red Planet and inaugurate a new era of Martian exploration.

source https://www.wired.com/story/februarys-gonna-be-a-big-month-for-mars

The Recession Exposes the US’ Failures on Worker Retraining

Unemployment is high, and many pre-pandemic jobs will not return. But the US spends a smaller share of its economy on training than most developed nations.

source https://www.wired.com/story/recession-exposes-us-failures-worker-retraining