Twitter Is No Longer a Creative Haven

Elon Musk's changes have been most destabilizing to the very people who made the platform's unique culture.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-twitter-is-no-longer-a-creative-haven/

How to Use Physics to Tell If That Steph Curry Video Is Real

Could the Golden State Warriors legend really sink five full-court shots in a row? Some clever modeling can give fans a clue.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-physics-to-tell-if-that-steph-curry-video-is-real/

11 Ways to Upgrade Your Wi-Fi and Make Your Internet Faster (2022)

From Wi-Fi extenders to simple wall brackets, there's always something you can do to improve your internet connection at home.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-make-your-wifi-better-faster/

Stop Listening to Sleep Experts

There are no rules for achieving perfect slumber. In 2023, people should start paying attention to their own bodies.

source https://www.wired.com/story/sleep-health-science/

8 Extremely Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Procrastinators (2022)

If your Christmas tree is missing a present, these gifts will keep you on the nice list.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/extremely-last-minute-gift-ideas/

To Rebuild Cities After War, Look to the Past

Post-conflict reconstruction projects should be focused on preserving heritage and restoring identity.

source https://www.wired.com/story/war-politics-rebuilding-reconciliation/

The Four-Day Work-Week Is (Almost) Here

The three-day weekend may soon be a reality—but only if policymakers can think of proper countermeasures against voltage drops.

source https://www.wired.com/story/vacation-labor-politics-government/

Vertical Farming Has Found Its Fatal Flaw

Europe’s energy crisis is forcing companies to switch strategies or close down. The industry’s future hangs in the balance.

source https://www.wired.com/story/vertical-farms-energy-crisis/

What Is Flipper Zero? The Hacker Tool Going Viral on TikTok, Explained

Don’t be fooled by its fun name and Tamagotchi-like interface—this do-everything gadget is trouble waiting to happen and a whole lot more.

source https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-flipper-zero-tiktok/

11 Rapid At-Home Covid-19 Tests—and Where to Find Them

How accurate are over-the-counter swabs? Does your insurance cover them? We have answers.

source https://www.wired.com/story/best-rapid-at-home-covid-19-test-kits/

The Quest to Defuse Guyana’s Carbon Bomb

A former BP lawyer is going up against Exxon—and her own country—in a bid to stop offshore oil drilling before disaster strikes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-quest-to-defuse-carbon-bomb-guyana/

The Mystery of Nevada’s Ancient Reptilian Boneyard

Whale-sized shonisaurs dominated the ocean 230 million years ago. A fossil cluster offers a fascinating glimpse at how they lived—based on where they died.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-mystery-of-nevadas-ancient-reptilian-boneyard/

How to Get Your 4 Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests (2022)

The US is offering four more at-home tests to every household. Here's how to get yours.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-get-free-covid-19-tests/

The ‘30x30’ Conservation Goal Divides and Inspires at COP15

The target is dominating the summit, but the issue of finding a balance between Indigenous peoples’ rights and protecting 30 percent of Earth remains.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-30x30-conservation-goal-divides-and-inspires-at-cop15/

Our Favorite Hair Dryers and Diffusers (2022): Blow-Dryers, Brushers, and Diffusers

We tried blow-dryers, brushes, and a machine that sucks up your locks like a vacuum. These are our top tools to dry your do.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-hair-dryers/

Here’s How Robert Jordan Built The Wheel of Time

Historian Michael Livingston explores the real-world myths and legends the author used to construct his epic fantasy series.

source https://www.wired.com/2022/12/geeks-guide-robert-jordan/

Trump’s Twitter Ban Was Unfair, but Not for the Reason You Think

If Twitter had implemented its rules uniformly, other world leaders would have been banned too.

source https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-trump-world-leaders-ban/

Storytelling Will Save the Earth

Emotional resonance, not cold statistics, will bring home the scale of the climate crisis—and the need for action.

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

Instagram Is a Site of Protest for the Chinese Diaspora

How mood boards, meme pages, and the anon submission feature became forms of resistance and fed global civil arrest over the country’s zero-covid policy.

source https://www.wired.com/story/china-protests-a4-memes-instagram/

How to Stop ChatGPT from Going Off the Rails

The viral chatbot wasn’t up to writing a WIRED newsletter. But it's fluent enough to raise questions about how to keep eloquent AI systems accountable.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-how-to-stop-chatgpt-from-going-off-the-rails/

Lectric XP Lite Review: Slimmer, Lighter, Annoying

This slimmed-down fat-tire ebike may be a smooth rider, but it’s frustrating to fold and unfold.

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

10 Best Umbrellas (2022): Windproof, Cheap, Tiny, and Clear Bubble

These picks will protect you from showers, withstand the wind, and hold up for the long haul.

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

How Far Can You Fly a Battery-Powered Jumbo Jet?

The answer explains why electric cars are everywhere, but electric aircraft are still a novelty.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-far-can-you-fly-a-battery-powered-jumbo-jet/

A New NASA Satellite Will Map Earth’s Rising Seas

A spacecraft called SWOT will image most of the planet every 21 days to track flooding, drought, and many other water woes.

source https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-nasa-satellite-will-map-earths-rising-seas/

The Grim Origins of an Ominous Methane Surge

During the coronavirus lockdowns, emissions of the potent greenhouse gas somehow soared. The culprit wasn't humans—but the Earth itself.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-grim-origins-of-an-ominous-methane-surge/

10 Best Xbox Series X/S Games You Can Play Now (2022)

These are the titles that make the most of your big, burly Microsoft console.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-xbox-series-x-series-s-games/

Cuba Ransomware Gang Abused Microsoft Certificates to Sign Malware

The company has taken measures to mitigate the risks, but security researchers warn of a broader threat.

source https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-certificates-ransomware-cuba-malware/

The Real Fusion Energy Breakthrough Is Still Decades Away

US nuclear scientists have achieved the long-sought goal of a fusion ignition—but don't expect this clean technology to power the grid yet.

source https://www.wired.com/story/the-real-fusion-energy-breakthrough-is-still-decades-away/

Urbanista Phoenix Review: Clever Charging, Decent Sound

These solar-charging buds break new ground and promise endless playtime. But would you want to listen to them forever?

source https://www.wired.com/review/review-urbanista-phoenix/

The Best Meta Quest 2 Games You Can Play Right Now (2022)

Dipping your toes into virtual reality? From shooters to woodsy adventures, these are our favorites to play by yourself or with friends.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-oculus-meta-quest-2-games/

For Black Folks, Digital Migration Is Nothing New

Two Black academics discuss the rationale behind leaving Twitter or going down with the ship.

source https://www.wired.com/story/black-twitter-social-media/

Roland Juno-X Review: A Nostalgic Workhorse

This do-anything reissue of a classic 1980s synthesizer is perfect for studio or stage.

source https://www.wired.com/review/roland-juno-x/

NASA's Orion Moon Capsule Is Back. What Happens Next?

The craft survived a 26-day voyage and a scorching descent. Now it’s time for NASA engineers to learn what went wrong—and what went right.

source https://www.wired.com/story/nasa-orion-moon-capsule-is-back-what-happens-next/

There’s a New Explanation for ‘Genetic’ Trait Pairs: Your Parents

For years, researchers thought characteristics like weight and education had shared genetic roots. The real answer might lie in how people choose to pair up.

source https://www.wired.com/story/theres-a-new-explanation-for-genetic-trait-pairs-your-parents/

30 Best Cheap Gear Under $30 (2022): Phone Cases, Camera Bags, and More

Clever products don’t have to cost the earth. So, for your convenience, WIRED has put our top value picks into one useful spot.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/our-favorite-gear-under-30-dollars/

Why Are People in the US Becoming Radicalized?

A confluence of factors is leading people in the nation to gravitate toward extremist views.

source https://www.wired.com/story/radicalization-extremism-us-uncertainty-social-media/

The Bote Dock Hangout 240 Turns Every Gathering Into a Pool Party

Just drag this conveniently inflatable half-doughnut out to the nearest lake.

source https://www.wired.com/story/bote-dock-hangout-240-rave/

ChatGPT’s Fluent BS Is Compelling Because Everything Is Fluent BS

The AI chatbot was trained on text created by humans. Of course its writing is superficially impressive and lacking in substance.

source https://www.wired.com/story/chatgpt-fluent-bs/

ChatGPT, Galactica, and the Progress Trap

When large language models fall short, the consequences can be serious. Why is it so hard to acknowledge that?

source https://www.wired.com/story/large-language-models-critique/

Elon Musk's Twitter Is Making Meta Look Smart

A scathing decision from Facebook’s Oversight Board shows a better way to work through platform rules in public than via a billionaire’s late night tweets.

source https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-elon-musks-twitter-is-making-meta-look-smart/

'Cocaine Bear' and the New Age of Internet Movies

Films made for, or inspired by, the extremely online will invade the discourse in early 2023. Get ready for M3GAN, Cat Person, and an ursid on drugs.

source https://www.wired.com/story/new-era-internet-movies/

Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Review: Avoid This Wear OS 3 Smartwatch

This disappointing Wear OS 3 smartwatch is barely more than a pretty face.

source https://www.wired.com/review/fossil-gen-6-wellness/

Apple Kills Its Plan to Scan Your Photos for CSAM. Here’s What’s Next

The company plans to expand its Communication Safety features, which aim to disrupt the sharing of child sexual abuse material at the source.

source https://www.wired.com/story/apple-photo-scanning-csam-communication-safety-messages/

Apple Expands End-to-End Encryption to iCloud Backups

The company will also soon support the use of physical authentication keys with Apple ID, and it's adding contact verification for iMessage in 2023.

source https://www.wired.com/story/apple-end-to-end-encryption-icloud-backups/

Scammers Are Scamming Other Scammers Out of Millions of Dollars

On cybercrime forums, user complaints about being duped may accidentally expose their real identities.

source https://www.wired.com/story/cybercrime-hackers-scams-forums/

San Francisco Just Reversed Its Killer Robot Plan

The city’s board of supervisors has rolled back a controversial decision to let robots use lethal force without human intervention. But the fight is far from over.

source https://www.wired.com/story/san-francisco-police-killer-robots-ban/

‘Magic Avatar’ App Lensa Generated Nudes from My Childhood Photos

The dreamy photo-editing AI is a nightmare waiting to happen.

source https://www.wired.com/story/lensa-artificial-intelligence-csem/

In 2022, Picking a Game of the Year Is Ridiculous

The ritual of pitting starkly different games against each other has outlived its usefulness.

source https://www.wired.com/story/no-more-game-of-the-year/

6 Best Advent Calendars (2022): Lego Star Wars, Bonne Maman, Molly J

Whether your loved one likes sweets, coffee, or something a little stronger, these treat-filled Advent calendars make a great gift.

source https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-advent-calendars/

17 Best Apple Deals: iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches and AirPods

Don’t worry if you skipped the Cyber Monday madness. Some of the company’s best gear is on sale right now.

source https://www.wired.com/story/apple-deals-december-2022/

Ex-Twitter Employees Plan to ‘Bombard’ Company With Legal Claims

Disgruntled former staff allege they were not given the severance packages they were promised. The mountain of litigation could cost Twitter millions.

source https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-employee-arbitration/

The Next Great Overdose-Reversing Drug Might Already Exist

Fentanyl-related substances have a bad reputation, but they could also save lives. In the US, a legislative battle to expedite research is heating up.

source https://www.wired.com/story/overdose-reversing-drug-research-fentanyl-fentalogs/

Elon Musk's Twitter Isn’t Ready for the Next Natural Disaster

Emergency responders rely on the platform to share and collect lifesaving information. Looser moderation puts that in peril.

source https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musks-twitter-isnt-ready-for-the-next-natural-disaster/

End-to-End Encryption Is Coming to Android Group Chats

Plus: Apple’s mixed-reality headset creeps toward actual reality, and a stronger type of Gorilla Glass is coming to phone screens.

source https://www.wired.com/story/end-to-end-encryption-android-group-chats/

China’s Police State Targets Zero-Covid Protesters

Plus: ICE accidentally doxes asylum seekers, Google fails to uphold a post-Roe promise, and LastPass suffers the second breach this year.

source https://www.wired.com/story/china-zero-covid-protest-crackdown/

Devialet Mania Review: Bottom-Heavy, But Powerful

If you think “bass” equals “excitement,” then this is for you. But the fact that this high-end French audio brand is no longer bonkers does not bode well.

source https://www.wired.com/review/review-devialet-mania/

How Chinese Netizens Swamped China’s Internet Controls

The government regained control of streets and social networks, but citizens protesting zero-Covid policies proved smartphones can help fuel mass action.

source https://www.wired.com/story/how-chinese-protests-netizens-swamped-chinas-internet-controls/

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/

Control Freak Is a Surprisingly Personal Video Game Memoir

'Gears of War' designer Cliff Bleszinski's new book is an intimate look into the life of a video game creator.

source https://www.wired.com/2022/12/geeks-guide-cliff-bleszinski/

7 Best Outdoor Security Cameras (2022): Battery-Powered, LTE, No Subscription

These weatherproof devices can keep a watchful eye on your property and let you get on with life.

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

The Big Problem With Spotify Wrapped

It's a social media trend that survives year after year. And it thrives on your personal data.

source https://www.wired.com/story/spotify-wrapped-user-data/