Sunday, July 31, 2022

5 Great Features You Only Get in Samsung’s Version of Android

When you buy a Samsung phone, you get a custom version of Google’s mobile operating system that comes with its own unique tools and perks.

source https://www.wired.com/story/5-features-samsung-android-only/

Step Away From Screens With the 20 Best Family Board Games

From monsters to kittens to strategy games, these sets will liven things up on nights when everyone is tired of screens.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-family-board-games/

Saturday, July 30, 2022

The Best Cheap Phones for Almost Every Budget

There’s little reason to pay top dollar for a smartphone. These iPhones and Android devices—ranging from $150 to $500—stood up to WIRED’s testing.

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

You Pay More When Companies Get Hacked

Plus: Google delays the end of cookies (again), EU officials were targeted with Pegasus spyware, and more of the top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cyber-tax-data-breach-cost-security-roundup/

Google Maps Gets More Bike-Friendly

Plus: The continued TikTokification of absolutely everything.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-maps-adds-more-bike-directions/

Friday, July 29, 2022

Big Tech Can’t Stop Obsessing Over Apple and TikTok

Earnings season was dominated by two companies—both existential threats to their competition.

source https://www.wired.com/story/big-tech-companies-cant-stop-obsessing-over-apple-and-tiktok/

Instagram Proves When You've Lost the Kardashians, You're Screwed

Plus: Instagram’s early days, moving markets with thumbs, and selling your soul on the stock market.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-kardashians-jenners-instagram/

How to Simulate Walking on the Moon—Without Leaving the Planet

It’s impossible to reduce gravity, but you can find some clever ways around it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-simulate-walking-on-the-moon-without-leaving-the-planet/

The Best Mobile Controllers for Gaming on the Go

Touchscreens don’t always get the job done. Try one of these WIRED-tested smartphone controllers for your iPhone or Android instead.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-mobile-game-controllers-for-iphone-android/

The Best Tents for Campers, Backpackers, and Families

The right shelter can make a big difference in how comfortable you are outdoors. Here are the ones we've tested and love.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-camping-tents/

The Gray Man Doesn’t Need a Cinematic Universe

But Netflix needs franchises—so here we are.

source https://www.wired.com/story/netflix-the-gray-man-cinematic-universe-franchise/

After Going Solar, I Felt the Bliss of Sudden Abundance

My rooftop panels showed me that a world powered by renewables would be an overflowing horn of plenty, with fast, sporty cars and comfy homes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/after-going-solar-i-felt-the-bliss-of-sudden-abundance/

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

apple watch

Apple Watch US $119.99 https://ebay.us/A232UY

The 10 Best TVs We've Tested (and Helpful Buying Tips)

From LCDs to fancy OLED models, these are our favorite televisions at every price point.

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

Give Yourself Permission to Buy That Steam Deck

It’s not a “must-have,” but it sure is nice.

source https://www.wired.com/story/give-yourself-permission-steam-deck/

California Wants to Make Cheap Insulin. Here’s How It Could Work

The state plans to roll out “biosimilars” that mimic brand-name versions at a dramatically reduced price.

source https://www.wired.com/story/california-wants-to-make-cheap-insulin-heres-how-it-could-work/

Carbon Offsets Alone Won’t Make Flying Climate-Friendly

Carbon dioxide emissions aren’t the only way aviation warms the planet. Exhaust contains a host of polluting particles, from soot to nitrogen oxides.

source https://www.wired.com/story/carbon-offsets-alone-wont-make-flying-climate-friendly/

Don’t Call the New Federal Gun Law a Gun Law

Democratic senators lacked actionable gun data for their negotiations—so they passed mental health reform instead.

source https://www.wired.com/story/federal-gun-law-2022-cdc-data/

Against ‘Public Health’

Everything is supposedly a "public health" issue in the US, but this buzzword does little to address real challenges.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-public-health-politics/

Monday, July 25, 2022

The Chip Shortage is Easing—But Only For Some

Certain chips have caught up with demand, thanks to stockpiling and reduced consumer spending, but the semiconductor supply chain is still snarled up.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-chip-shortage-is-easing-but-only-for-some/

A New Time-Travel App, Reviewed

The ChronoSwoop company has appeared out of nowhere and dropped an addictive new app, with “Swoop left/Swoop right” functions.

source https://www.wired.com/story/review-time-travel-app-chronoswoop/

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Saturday, July 23, 2022

The January 6 Secret Service Text Scandal Turns Criminal

Plus: The FCC cracks down on car warranty robocalls, Thai activists get targeted by NSO's Pegasus, and the Russia-Ukraine cyberwar continues.

source https://www.wired.com/story/secret-service-jan-6-text-scandal/

Google Wallet Is Back, for Some Reason

Plus: Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event returns, Amazon hoovers up some health care, and Facebook prizes growth above all else.

source https://www.wired.com/story/google-wallet-samsung-unpacked-amazon-one-medical/

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, and rounded up our favorite accessories.

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

10 Great Deals on TVs, Keyboards, and Robot Vacuums

The post-Prime Day lull has begun, but there are still a few awesome discounts to score right now—and a sweet preorder promo on the Google Pixel 6A.

source https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-july-23-2022/

Thursday, July 21, 2022

The 2022 US Midterm Elections' Top Security Issue: Death Threats

While cybersecurity and foreign meddling remain priorities, domestic threats against election workers have risen to the top of the list.

source https://www.wired.com/story/2022-midterms-election-security-election-worker-threats/

Nuclear Power Plants Are Struggling to Stay Cool

Climate change is reducing output and raising safety concerns at nuclear facilities from France to the US. But experts say adapting is possible—and necessary.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nuclear-power-plants-struggling-to-stay-cool/

Pandemic Death Counts Are Numbing. There’s Another Way to Process

Data visceralization goes beyond mortality statistics to help people grieve.

source https://www.wired.com/story/covid19-data-visceralization-death-statistics/

Facebook’s New Feeds Tab Is an Algorithm-Free Zone

A reverse-chronological stream of posts from people you actually know will soon be one tap away.

source https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-feeds-tab-chronological/

This Hardcore Band Is a Product of the Internet—in the Best Way

Turnstile breaks most of the rules of their genre. Their fans, who grew up online and care less about convention, follow them because of it.

source https://www.wired.com/story/turnstile-most-internet-band-ever/

A Tool for Fighting Superbugs Has Been Found Deep in the Desert

Scientists are turning to the world’s most extreme environments to find new ways of combating drug resistance.

source https://www.wired.com/story/desert-bacterium-fighting-superbugs/

Tech Industry Layoffs May Undo Workforce Diversity Gains

Companies have recently made progress in employee diversity, but cuts due to economic worries are expected to hurt underrepresented workers most.

source https://www.wired.com/story/tech-layoffs-diversity/

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

apple watch

Apple Watch US $119.99 https://ebay.us/A232UY

10 Great Deals on Air Purifiers, Carpet Cleaners, and More

Your home could probably use a refresh, right? These products can help.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cleaning-deals-july-2022/

How to Buy and Sell NFTs (If You Must)

Here are a few tips for setting up your crypto wallet, navigating the market, and avoiding scams.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-buy-sell-nfts/

Crypto Is Straining the Power Grid. Congress Wants to Rein It In

Senator Elizabeth Warren and others are recommending regulations for crypto-mining operations as carbon emissions and consumer electricity bills soar in the US.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cryptomining-us-power-grid-regulations/

How to Turn Your Smartphone Into a Webcam

Upgrade your Zoom meetings with that snazzy camera in your pocket.

source https://www.wired.com/story/use-your-phone-as-webcam/

Europe Has Descended Into the Age of Fire

Climate change has primed the landscape to burn. But human migration has made Europe’s wildfires increasingly catastrophic.

source https://www.wired.com/story/europe-has-descended-into-the-age-of-fire/

A Lawsuit Against Meta Shows the Emptiness of Social Enterprises

Foreign-owned organizations like Sama and Tala offer feel-good promises but take advantage of weak labor protections and poor accountability.

source https://www.wired.com/story/social-enterprise-technology-africa/

How to Use Your Smartphone to Cope With Hearing Loss

From live transcriptions to sound filtering, here's how you can benefit from features on Android and Apple devices.

source https://www.wired.com/story/smartphone-features-deaf-hard-of-hearing/

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Qualcomm's New Smartwatch Chips Promise Big Battery Life Gains

Built on a 4-nanometer process, they're smaller, more efficient, and ready to go inside the next Google Wear OS watches.

source https://www.wired.com/story/qualcomm-snapdragon-w5-plus-gen-1-smartwatch-chips/

A Father’s Quest for an Accessible Game Controller

After months of writing hardware companies and developers for help, Andreas Karlsson finally found a hero in retro controller maker 8BitDo.

source https://www.wired.com/story/andreas-karlsson-accessible-controller-8bitdo/

How to Promote Your Music Online

From TikTok to Patreon, here's how musicians can use the internet to cut through the noise.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-promote-music-online/

Ms. Marvel Ended Up Being the Best Thing on Disney+ This Year

It’s an origin story that’s truly original.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ms-marvel-best-disney-plus-show/

Meet the UK’s New Woodland Rangers: a Herd of Wild Bison

A rewilding project in Kent thinks that introducing bison to the UK can supercharge biodiversity. But how wild can introduced animals ever be?

source https://www.wired.com/story/uk-woodland-rangers-wild-bison/

Monday, July 18, 2022

Twitter Has Entered the Elon Musk Twilight Zone

In the tortured deal’s alternate reality, it makes sense for the company's leaders to try and force Musk to take over—but things will get tricky if they succeed.

source https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-elon-musk-twilight-zone/

The US Has a Historic Opportunity to Bridge the Digital Divide

Past initiatives didn’t focus enough on people of color. Here’s how to do better this time.

source https://www.wired.com/story/digital-divide-broadband-fcc/

What Turtles Can Teach Humans About the Science of Slow Aging

New data shows that several types of the shelled reptiles can slow—and even stop—aging if the environmental conditions are right.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-turtles-can-teach-humans-about-the-science-of-slow-aging/

Why the Arctic Is Warming 4 Times as Fast as the Rest of Earth

The loss of sea ice is exposing darker waters, which absorb more of the sun’s energy. It’s a devastating feedback loop with major consequences for the planet.

source https://www.wired.com/story/why-the-arctic-is-warming-4-times-as-fast-as-the-rest-of-earth/

Fully’s Workstation Is a Standing Desk in Disguise

The Nolan has a total of four motors and is the most stable sit-stand workstation I’ve ever tried.

source https://www.wired.com/review/fully-nolan-standing-desk/

Sunday, July 17, 2022

14 Xbox Game Pass Games Worth Playing

Microsoft’s subscription service includes captivating titles like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge and Citizen Sleeper.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-xbox-game-pass-games/

The Best Turntables for Your Vinyl Collection

Streaming music giving you the blues? These entry-level turntables will help you rock on to analog audio at home.

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

Saturday, July 16, 2022

‘Blood Washing’ Is the Latest Dubious—and Pricey—Long-Covid Trend

Thousands of people are traveling far and paying huge sums for a procedure that has not been proven effective for persistent Covid symptoms.

source https://www.wired.com/story/blood-washing-long-covid-unproven-trend/

Amazon Handed Ring Videos to Cops Without Warrants

Plus: A wild Indian cricket scam, an elite CIA hacker is found guilty of passing secrets to WikiLeaks, and more of the week's top security news.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-ring-police-videos-security-roundup/

Peloton Will Stop Making Its Own Bikes and Treadmills

Plus: BMW fiddles with fee-based feature unlocking, Twitter lets you untag yourself, and the final beta of Android 13 arrives.

source https://www.wired.com/story/peloton-will-stop-making-its-own-bikes/

Friday, July 15, 2022

apple watch

Apple Watch US $119.99 https://ebay.us/A232UY

The Agony and Ecstasy of Playing Out Your School Years in Games

It's a formative, and sometimes traumatic, time in many people's lives. So why do so many video games want to revisit it?

source https://www.wired.com/story/sims-4-high-school-demonschool-persona/

Richard Matheson Explored Loneliness Through Sci-Fi

His son, Chris Matheson, examines his father's legacy in the new book 'Conversations with the Father.'

source https://www.wired.com/2022/07/geeks-guide-chris-matheson/

Even Twitter Thinks Elon Musk's Tweets Are Out of Control

Plus: Tweeting your personal life, swimming like sharks, and a breakup for the ages.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-elon-musk-tweets/

The Best Sleep Gadgets and Apps

Do you struggle to nod off or stay asleep through the night? These WIRED-tested tools can help.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-sleep-gadgets/

The Emmy Nominations Prove No One Knows How to Watch TV Anymore

Not that folks have forgotten the mechanics, it’s that there’s no longer any order to the medium.

source https://www.wired.com/story/emmy-nominations-severance-yellowjackets/

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Prime Day Has Ended, but These 66 Great Deals Are Going Strong

A few of our favorite things are still on sale, like robot vacuums, laptops, phones, and espresso machines.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-leftover-deals-2022/

Light Your Photos and Videos Properly With This Camera Gear

Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just starting to learn about off-camera lights, this guide is filled with illuminating essentials.

source https://www.wired.com/story/camera-photo-and-video-lighting-buying-guide/

How to Light Your Photos and Videos Like an Pro

Nothing will improve your craft more than an understanding of lighting, and the ability to control and create it artificially.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-light-photos-and-videos-expert-advice/

Meet the Lobbyist Next Door

What do a Real Housewife, an Olympic athlete, and a doula have in common? They’re all being paid by an ad-tech startup as influencers—peddling not products but ideologies.

source https://www.wired.com/story/meet-the-lobbyist-next-door/

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

8 Great Prime Day Deals on Robot Vacuums

Make cleaning suck less with these discounted vacs from iRobot, Samsung, and Roborock.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-prime-day-robot-vacuum-deals/

Twitter's Case in India Could Have Massive Ripple Effects

A ruling against the company could allow the government to censor a wide swath of platforms, and set a global precedent.

source https://www.wired.com/story/twitters-case-in-india-could-have-massive-ripple-effects/

13 Great Deals on Gaming Gear for Prime Day

Score a new gaming station and deck it out with a headset, peripherals … and maybe even a new TV.

source https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-prime-day-2022-video-game-gear-deals/

This Covid-19 Rapid Test Is Back to Its Lowest Price for Prime Day

Stock up with these iHealth at-home antigen tests.

source https://www.wired.com/story/ihealth-covid-19-antigen-rapid-test-deal-july-2022/

How I Accidentally Broke My Doomscrolling Habit

Turns out mobile games are the perfect loophole for my lizard brain—and they could work for you, too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/stop-doomscrolling-with-mobile-games/

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

A Privacy Panic Flares Up in India After Police Pull Payment Data

Nonprofit donors had their information given to law enforcement without consent, highlighting limited data protections in the world’s largest democracy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/police-pull-indian-payments-data/

The JWST's First Photos Show Its Extraordinary Power

The cosmic probe’s long-awaited images will kick off astronomers’ science programs.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-james-webb-telescopes-first-photos-show-its-extraordinary-power/

The 49 Best Prime Day Deals If You Work (and Play) From Home

These are all the top discounts on essential home office gear, from laptops, desks, and chairs to monitors, keyboards, and mice.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-home-office-laptop-deals-2022/

The 34 Best Kitchen and Home Deals for Prime Day

Home is where the heart is, but this is where you’ll find price cuts on cooking gadgets, TVs, vacuums, and more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-prime-day-smart-home-kitchen-deals-2022/

The Summer's Best Read Is About AI, Surveillance, and Tiny Aliens

Ever wish George Saunders tried his hand at crime fiction? Try David Musgrave’s imaginative debut novel, Lambda.

source https://www.wired.com/story/lambda-david-musgrave-book/

Monday, July 11, 2022

Target ‘Deal Days’ 2022: The 17 Best Deals We Found

Amazon Prime Day isn't the only sale this week. From video games to household essentials, here are our favorite picks from Target’s big sale.

source https://www.wired.com/story/target-deal-days-2022-prime-day-sale/

The January 6 Insurrection Hearings Are Just Heating Up

The US House committee has already uncovered a more organized and sinister plot than many imagined. But history suggests the worst may be yet to come.

source https://www.wired.com/story/january-6-insurrection-hearings-heating-up/

10 Great Deals From Best Buy's ‘Black Friday in July’ Sale

Amazon's Prime Day sale isn't the only option to get deep tech discounts this week.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-buy-black-friday-2022-prime-day-sale/

The Best Travel Mugs to Keep Drinks Cold or Hot

Whether you're sipping hot coffee in the morning or downing a cold one in the afternoon, these insulated mugs will do the trick.

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

Friday, July 8, 2022

Atlas Coffee Club's Prime Day Deal Cuts the Price In Half

One of our favorite coffee subscriptions is on sale for new subscribers through July 14.

source https://www.wired.com/story/atlas-coffee-club-prime-day-deal-july-2022/

21 Best Early Amazon Prime Day Deals

From TVs and fitness trackers to laptops, we found great discounts on some of our favorite products ahead of the retailer’s big sales event.

source https://www.wired.com/story/early-amazon-prime-day-deals-and-tips-2022-3/

Will These Algorithms Save You From Quantum Threats?

Quantum-proof encryption is here—decades before it can be put to the test.

source https://www.wired.com/story/quantum-proof-encryption-is-here-but-theres-a-catch/

Westworld Has Entered the New, Better Frontier of Sci-Fi

The show’s fourth season is blessedly more compelling, and comprehensible, than its third—and signals a subtle shift in its genre.

source https://www.wired.com/story/westworld-season-4-good/

An ISP Scam Targeted Low-Income People Seeking Government Aid

The US Federal Communications Commission says a man posing as a fake broadband service promised victims discounts on internet services and devices.

source https://www.wired.com/story/fake-isp-scam-targeted-low-income-victims/

How Hemingway Gradually—Then Suddenly—Defined the Zeitgeist

Plus: Early attempts at writing fiction online, the many sequels to Hackers, and Canada’s pessimism.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-hemingway-gradually-suddenly-zeitgeist/

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Six-Word Sci-Fi: Stories Written by You

Here's this month's prompt, how to submit, and an illustrated archive of past favorites.

source https://www.wired.com/story/six-word-sci-fi/

That Weird Smell in Your House Might Be Mold. Here's How to Check

Wet conditions and climate change mean the risk of spores is higher than ever. Here's how to know if you need an assessment and what you should expect.

source https://www.wired.com/story/mold-assessment-tips/

It's Not Too Late to Save the Metaverse

There’s an opportunity to build joyful communities in VR. Just protect individual rights—and keep out the crypto.

source https://www.wired.com/story/metaverse-policy-lootboxes-crypto-rights/

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Friday, July 1, 2022

The Best Cheap Phones for Almost Every Budget

There’s little reason to pay top dollar for a smartphone. These Android devices and iPhones—ranging from $150 to $500—stood up to WIRED’s testing.

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

‘Doom RPG,’ the Weirdest Official Doom Game, Is Now Playable on Windows

GEC.inc, a small Costa-Rica based collective, has freed the surprisingly fun turn-based ‘Doom RPG’ from a pre-iPhone world.

source https://www.wired.com/story/doom-rpg-windows-port/

What’s Going on With RadioShack’s Twitter Feed?

It's a sign of the times: the off-kilter '90s nostalgia that's also bringing back Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name.”

source https://www.wired.com/story/radio-shack-twitter-crypto/