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Wired

8 Great Deals on Wireless Earbuds, Smartwatches, and More

Squeeze in some outdoor workouts with a nice pair of buds and a wearable to follow your metrics.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 9:06 pm

The Pixel 6 Chip’s Best Upgrade Isn’t Speed. It’s Security

Google’s new flagship smartphone is its most secure yet, thanks to a little vertical integration.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 7:44 pm

A Strange Radio Signal Was Just From Earth, Not Aliens

Astronomers with the Breakthrough Listen project scan the sky for signs of extraterrestrial life, but a promising lead turned out to be a false alarm.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 6:39 pm

Blind People Have Won the Right to Break Ebook DRM—for Now

Advocates will once again be granted a DMCA exception to make accessible versions of texts. They argue that it's far past time to make it permanent.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 5:38 pm

Biden's FCC Picks Are a 'Dream Team' for Broadband Advocates

The president's long-awaited nominees are strong proponents of narrowing the digital divide and restoring net neutrality rules.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 4:30 pm

The Best Mesh Wi-Fi Routers

Forget about that patchy internet connection and dead spots with one of these WIRED-tested systems.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 1:00 pm

What Is Critical Race Theory? Start Here

With CRT at the forefront of national debate, these free online resources will bring you up to speed.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 12:00 pm

Our 9 Favorite Gaming Headsets for Every System

A simple wired headset will lend depth and drama to your gameplay, no matter which console or device you have.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 12:00 pm

How to Use Android Recovery Mode

Having problems with your Android phone or tablet? Recovery mode could be the answer.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 11:00 am

The Grand Theft Auto III Radio Commercials Are Still Awesome

It’s been 20 years since they first hit the digital airwaves. Here’s how they came to be part of the series’ legacy.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 11:00 am

Are Green Jet Fuels Finally Ready for Takeoff?

A first commercial test flight shows how fuel made from plants, not petroleum, could make flying cleaner.

Published on 27 October 2021 | 11:00 am

This AI Predicts How Old Children Are. Can It Keep Them Safe?

Yoti’s tech may be enticing for Big Tech companies: It works out if you’re under or over 13, the age most social media platforms require to create an account.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 9:24 pm

Dark Web Drug Busts Lead to 150 Arrests

Operation Dark HunTor spanned eight countries—and put the focus on sellers more than marketplaces.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 9:12 pm

iOS 15 Is Here. Here Are All the Top New Features

The iOS 15.1 update adds the long-awaited SharePlay function, allowing you to listen to music or watch movies with others using FaceTime.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 3:46 pm

Satellites Can Spy a Menace in West Africa: Invasive Flowers

Spacecraft help researchers monitor environmental problems on Earth, like the overgrowth of nonnative species and deforestation.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 3:00 pm

Age of Empires IV Is a Solid Strategy Game Stuck in the Past

It’s the perfect introduction to Age for new players, but veterans may be underwhelmed by its campaign offerings.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 2:00 pm

10 Video Game Series That Deserve to Be Resurrected

From Legacy of Kain to Silent Hill, these franchises were killed off too soon.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 2:00 pm

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

A year after launch, Sony's latest console is still difficult to find. We've got some tips on how to score one.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 1:00 pm

The Future Is Bleak. Pondering Pangaea Gives Me Hope

In 200 million years, our far-flung continents may join up again. It reminds us of humans' tiny place in this intergalactic drama.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 1:00 pm

This AI Resurrects Ancient Board Games—and Lets You Play Them

What tabletop games did our ancestors play in 1000 BC? A new research project wants to find out, and make them playable online too.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 1:00 pm

‘My Body Is Used to Design Military Tech’

The prosthetics industry and military have a long history that doesn’t serve most people with limb difference. It’s time for a justice-oriented approach.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 12:00 pm

This Groundbreaking Simulator Generates a Huge Indoor Ocean

It’s a 32,000-gallon concrete tank with a wind tunnel grafted on top. With it, researchers can study the seas—and climate change—like never before.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 11:00 am

China Targets Extreme Internet Fandoms in a New Crackdown

Measures aimed at influencer and celebrity culture will reach into the screens of young people.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 11:00 am

These Are the 9 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.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 11:00 am

In 'Termination Shock,' Neal Stephenson Finally Takes on Global Warming

The renowned author says his genre should inspire solutions. In his new novel, he tackles our most existential crisis.

Published on 26 October 2021 | 10:00 am

The Best Wireless Gaming Headsets for Every Kind of Player

These battery-powered headsets will serve you well whether you're chatting with teammates in Fortnite, friends in Discord, or coworkers in Zoom.

Published on 25 October 2021 | 8:00 pm

Google’s $599 Pixel 6 Raises the Bar for All Smartphones

From the top-end hardware to the improved image processing for people with darker skin, it’s hard not to love the company’s latest Android phones.

Published on 25 October 2021 | 4:00 pm

The Best VPNs to Protect Yourself Online

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

Published on 25 October 2021 | 1:00 pm

Age of Empires IV and Real-Time Strategy Games' Rocky History

If the genre is to return to its former glory, it needs to do more than tweak the formula that made it successful two decades ago.

Published on 25 October 2021 | 1:00 pm

Facebook Failed the People Who Tried to Improve It

The “badge posts” of the company's former researchers offer the parting thoughts of the disillusioned.