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Showing posts from March, 2024

A Ghost Ship’s Doomed Journey Through the Gate of Tears

Millions lost internet service after three cables in the Red Sea were damaged. Houthi rebels deny targeting the cables, but their missile attack on a cargo ship, left adrift for months, is likely to blame. from Wired https://ift.tt/ITDi5Hh

How to Back Up Your Digital Life (2024): Hard Drives, Cloud-Based Tools, and Tips

Backups are boring, but they’ll save your bacon. Here’s how to make sure your data lives on, even when your PC doesn’t. from Wired https://ift.tt/O84DAyx

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 Review: Too Dang Expensive

Lenovo has honed this ThinkPad to excellence, but the price is downright silly. from Wired https://ift.tt/0ET4z6B

The Brain Region That Controls Movement Also Guides Feelings

The cerebellum is responsible for far more than coordinating movement. New techniques reveal that it is, in fact, a hub of sensory and emotional processing in the brain. from Wired https://ift.tt/bPiWeDf

You Should Update Apple iOS and Google Chrome ASAP

Plus: Microsoft patches over 60 vulnerabilities, Mozilla fixes two Firefox zero-day bugs, Google patches 40 issues in Android, and more. from Wired https://ift.tt/5eo3BCK

The Best Cookware and Tools for Small Kitchens (2024): Storage, Cookware, and Other Tips

These kitchen ideas for compact homes will make you the master of your domain, even if your domain is not much bigger than a butcher block. from Wired https://ift.tt/t5W0Js9

One Couple's Quest to Ditch Natural Gas

Two climate journalists decided to decarbonize their home. Here's what happened. from Wired https://ift.tt/AdKZNXB

The 16 Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now

From Everybody's Talking About Jamie to Bottoms, these are the must-watch films on Amazon Prime Video. from Wired https://ift.tt/UkIJMsx

The Next Heat Pump Frontier? NYC Apartment Windows

New heat pumps easily fit over window sills, meaning they could replace clunky apartment air-conditioning units. from Wired https://ift.tt/EVWyT20

Oregon's Breakthrough Right-to-Repair Bill Is Now Law

Companies will no longer be allowed to use software checks to verify replacement parts in a major step forward for the right-to-repair movement. from Wired https://ift.tt/A0JCTqn

Bug Zappers Are Swarming on Amazon

Amazon listings for low-cost tech products can send shoppers down a rabbit hole of weird brand names, duplicate listings, and suspect reviews. Data from Fakespot shows bug zappers are ascendant. from Wired https://ift.tt/z4W8MQT

The 30 Best Shows on Max (aka HBO Max) Right Now

From Curb Your Enthusiasm to The Regime, here's everything you need to be watching on Max this month. from Wired https://ift.tt/5i9csnT

Jeffrey Epstein's Island Visitors Exposed by Data Broker

A WIRED investigation uncovered coordinates collected by a controversial data broker that reveal sensitive information about visitors to an island once owned by Epstein, the notorious sex offender. from Wired https://ift.tt/Xe1N2YJ

The White House Puts New Guardrails on Government Use of AI

Vice President Kamala Harris says new rules for government AI deployments, including a requirement that algorithms are checked for bias, will “put the public interest first.” from Wired https://ift.tt/XHnmGOV

Meet the Designer Behind Neuralink’s Surgical Robot

Afshin Mehin has helped design some of the most futuristic neurotech devices. from Wired https://ift.tt/7BgxM6k

The Baltimore Bridge Collapse Is About to Get Even Messier

Closing the city’s seaport will send shockwaves across global shipping. Supersize container ships pose a growing risk to bridges and other infrastructure when things go wrong. from Wired https://ift.tt/vsG1AEY

Is AI the Future of NPCs?

Artificial intelligence is poised to have a massive impact on video games in the next few years, something that excites and worries developers. Some think non-player characters might be AI's killer app. from Wired https://ift.tt/zfXdpEy

The 25 Best Movies on Max (aka HBO Max) Right Now

From Barbie to Wonka, here are our favorite movies on the streaming service. from Wired https://ift.tt/oPWiy1O

Here Comes the Flood of Plug-In Hybrids

New US emissions rules mean more plug-in hybrid cars are on the way. The electric vehicle tech is clean—but has a catch. from Wired https://ift.tt/wZ9DV3P

Meta Kills a Crucial Transparency Tool At the Worst Possible Time

CrowdTangle helps researchers track disinformation, but Meta will close it down before the US election. The tool's cofounder, Brandon Silverman, says it's time to force companies to share data. from Wired https://ift.tt/K9DzGnu

Chinese Hackers Charged in Decade-Long Global Spying Rampage

US and UK officials hit Chinese hacking group APT31 with sanctions and criminal charges after they targeted thousands of businesses, politicians, and critics of China. from Wired https://ift.tt/MOpaW80

The 9 Best Drones (2024): Budget, Toys, Professional Video

Whether you want to battle Star Wars spaceships or shoot a cinematic masterpiece, one of these picks is going to be perfect for you. from Wired https://ift.tt/Xr1ugvD

A Deepfake Nude Generator Reveals a Chilling Look at Its Victims

WIRED reporting uncovered a site that “nudifies” photos for a fee—and posts a feed appearing to show user uploads. They included photos of young girls and images seemingly taken of strangers. from Wired https://ift.tt/1rRu7nV

My Boyfriend Won’t Stop Meditating!

WIRED’s advice columnist on fake Buddhists, photo-happy mothers, and unsolicited TikToks. from Wired https://ift.tt/QASuW3o

Large Language Models’ Emergent Abilities Are a Mirage

A new study suggests that sudden jumps in LLMs’ abilities are neither surprising nor unpredictable, but are actually the consequence of how we measure ability in AI. from Wired https://ift.tt/fbcuvN7

Are You Noise Sensitive? Here's How to Tell

Every person has a different idea of what makes noise “loud,” but there are some things we all can do to turn the volume down a little. from Wired https://ift.tt/qtQP8nW

How to View April’s Total Solar Eclipse, Online and In Person

Here’s some advice for safely experiencing the total solar eclipse on April 8 as the moon casts a slender shadow across Mexico, the United States, and eastern Canada. from Wired https://ift.tt/xdFryqa

The Case Against Apple Weaponizes the Cult of Cupertino

The US government's antitrust suit argues that Apple's sticky ecosystem keeps hold of customers by penalizing those who leave. from Wired https://ift.tt/SsAzEuI

Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro Review: Well-Built Full-Size Keyboards

These Keychron mechanical keyboards are pricey and large, but they’re repairable, customizable, and durable. from Wired https://ift.tt/jg1NLeJ

The US Is About to Drown in a Sea of Kittens

Cats are most fertile during the summer months, but in recent years “kitten season” has been starting earlier and lasting longer. The trend is bad news for shelters and wildlife alike. from Wired https://ift.tt/QrqkPRC

Apple Chip Flaw Leaks Secret Encryption Keys

Plus: The Biden administration warns of nationwide attacks on US water systems, a new Russian wiper malware emerges, and China-linked hackers wage a global attack spree. from Wired https://ift.tt/OsqV3Wj

GameScent Wants You to Smell the Gunfire While You Play Video Games

GameScent’s AI-powered console peripheral gives new meaning to gamer smells. It also may give you a headache. from Wired https://ift.tt/MR3oSlB

The 27 Best Movies on Hulu This Week

From Poor Things to All of Us Strangers, here’s everything you need to watch on Hulu right now. from Wired https://ift.tt/QSA7il4

Reddit Stock Surges on Its First Day of Trading

The home of memestocks is now publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange as RDDT, in the first major social media IPO in five years. from Wired https://ift.tt/05C7ryV

Neuralink’s First Human Subject Demonstrates His Brain-Computer Interface

In a livestream on X, the paralyzed 49-year-old man used his Neuralink brain implant to control a computer. from Wired https://ift.tt/ck8xA3Q

Why—and How—WIRED Is Covering Politics

Technology and politics have never been more intertwined. Here’s our approach to covering the 2024 election and beyond. from Wired https://ift.tt/kFWXtvI

Parler's New Owners Swear This Time Will Be Different

The “free speech” social media alternative is back on Apple’s App Store ahead of its official relaunch. from Wired https://ift.tt/uzVyQiA

A hidden Arctic cave holds secrets about our past and future

For half-a-century scientists have wondered what clues this enigmatic Greenland cave might hold. Now they're about to find out from Wired https://ift.tt/SR1y2Vl

Apple’s MM1 AI Model Shows a Sleeping Giant Is Waking Up

A research paper quietly released by Apple describes an AI model called MM1 that can answer questions and analyze images. It’s the biggest sign yet that Apple is developing generative AI capabilities. from Wired https://ift.tt/bshEjqA

The 35 Best Shows on Hulu Right Now

From Shōgun to Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, here’s everything you should be watching on Hulu this week. from Wired https://ift.tt/XhbHvBT

What Happens When a Guy and His AI Girlfriend Go to Therapy

In Sierra Greer's new novel, Annie Bot, a man named Doug finds out what it means to have the “perfect” girlfriend. from Wired https://ift.tt/5FBrG06

Kids’ Cartoons Get a Free Pass From YouTube’s Deepfake Disclosure Rules

YouTube now requires a label for some generative AI content. Animations made for kids are exempt. from Wired https://ift.tt/hUpbTx9

DeepMind Is Helping Soccer Teams Take the Perfect Corner

A soccer AI model created by Google DeepMind makes predictions about where corners will go, and suggests tweaks to make goals more or less likely. from Wired https://ift.tt/YcZbnAI

Fisker Suspends Its EV Production

After the difficult launch of its Ocean SUV, Fisker says it’s pausing production for six weeks. from Wired https://ift.tt/9XvbjAr

Why Is the Slack Hold Music So Haunted and So Good?

Those sounds you hear when you’re alone in a Huddle aren’t canned. They’re uncanny. from Wired https://ift.tt/6VzBS8h

Reddit IPO Filings Reveal the Company’s Hopes—and Fears

WIRED reviewed edits made by Reddit to its IPO filings over the years ahead of its stock market debut this week. Here are seven big takeaways. from Wired https://ift.tt/ZcTB3xd

How to Live Forever

A Nobel Prize–winning biologist explores the science and charlatans of life-extension. from Wired https://ift.tt/oVy3BCi

EVs With Built-In Camera Drones Have Already Landed in China

Still the stuff of concepts and flights of fancy in the West, automakers on the other side of the world are putting copters in their cars. from Wired https://ift.tt/Fz5kWBq

Soundpeats Air4 Pro Review: Premium Features for Less

These wireless buds have quality sound and plenty of extras for under $100 from Wired https://ift.tt/3bQudK5

Best AirPods (2024): Which Apple Headphones Should You Buy?

Should you go AirPods Pro or AirPods Max? Apple sells several headphones—even Beats—so we break it all down to help you find the best buds for your ears. from Wired https://ift.tt/3dbJFlM

How to Free Up Space in Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive

Google offers 15 GB of free storage with every account, but many users are hitting the limit. Use these tips to clear some room, and tidy your inbox while you’re at it. from Wired https://ift.tt/5YDz2Uh

Don't Let the Headlines Fool You. Air Travel Is Really Very Safe

Despite a flood of bad news about mechanical mishaps on commercial airliners, data from regulators shows that jumbo jets aren’t all suddenly falling apart. from Wired https://ift.tt/GiBDZSC

The 47 Best Movies on Netflix This Week

From Spaceman to Leave the World Behind, here are our picks for the best streaming titles to feast your eyes on. from Wired https://ift.tt/P59gNWx

The 47 Best Shows on Netflix Right Now

From Girls5Eva to Avatar: The Last Airbender, these are our picks for the best streaming titles to binge this week. from Wired https://ift.tt/d1HYzcb

A Pill That Kills Ticks Is a Promising New Weapon Against Lyme Disease

Your pets can already eat a chewable tablet for tick prevention. Now, a pill that paralyzes and kills ticks has shown positive results in a small human trial. from Wired https://ift.tt/r5K4dLD

A Startup Will Try to Mine Helium-3 on the Moon

The Earth is in short supply of helium-3. The lunar surface may hold the answer. from Wired https://ift.tt/SoWjK3G

The Designer Who’s Trying to Transform Your City Into a Sponge

Kongjian Yu pioneered China’s “sponge city” concept—less concrete and more green spaces to exploit stormwater instead of fighting it. Metropolises all over the world are following suit. from Wired https://ift.tt/txKDkw0

States Are Lining Up to Outlaw Lab-Grown Meat

Around 46 million Americans live in states that have introduced bills to ban cultivated meat, the latest escalation in a surprising culture war. from Wired https://ift.tt/7zcQD2B

Your Next Pair of Walmart Pants Could Be 3D Woven

San Francisco startup Unspun is the new face of the movement to cut down on emissions and waste in fashion. Its newest assignment: making work chinos for Walmart on its 3D weaving machines. from Wired https://ift.tt/wCDLpAI

Regulators Need AI Expertise. They Can't Afford It

The European AI Office and the UK government are trying to hire experts to study and regulate the AI boom—but are offering salaries far short of industry compensation. from Wired https://ift.tt/xZPt7iy

Can Reddit—the Internet’s Greatest Authenticity Machine—Survive Its Own IPO?

When thousands of subreddits went dark in protest, it exposed the tension at the core of Reddit. Is the web’s most reliably human forum a gold mine for investors, or an old-fashioned dumpster fire? from Wired https://ift.tt/w8jeprU

You Can Count on Pi

On Pi Day we answer the burning question: Is there any world in which pi does not go on forever? from Wired https://ift.tt/GH5mAvN

US Lawmaker Cited NYC Protests in a Defense of Warrantless Spying

A closed-door presentation for House lawmakers late last year portrayed American anti-war protesters as having possible ties to Hamas in an effort to kill privacy reforms to a major US spy program. from Wired https://ift.tt/I5NUDun

What’s Behind the Bitcoin Price Surge? Vibes, Mostly

The price of bitcoin has climbed to a new all-time high. But assigning the cryptocurrency a value is anything but trivial. from Wired https://ift.tt/rh1wXE7

18 REI Deals: Tents, Backpacks, Sleeping Bags, and Outdoor Gear

Some of our favorite outdoor gear is on sale at REI. Now’s the time to upgrade your pack or grab a comfy new camp chair. from Wired https://ift.tt/go1AiTE

Elon Musk Gave Himself No Choice but to Open Source His Chatbot Grok

Earlier this month Elon Musk sued OpenAI for keeping its technology secret. Today he promised to give away his own “truth-seeking” chatbot Grok for free. from Wired https://ift.tt/kT0u3Ij

The Quest to Give AI Chatbots a Hand—and an Arm

Robotics startup Covariant is experimenting with a ChatGPT-style chatbot that can control a robotic arm, as a way to create machines that can be more helpful in the physical world. from Wired https://ift.tt/jYqF0gH

A Roku Terms of Service Update Locks Up Your TV Until You Agree

If you want to opt out of the new “Dispute Resolution Terms,” you have to write a letter. from Wired https://ift.tt/kqFJPbX

Yoel Roth, Twitter's Former Trust and Safety Chief, Is Trying to Clean Up Your Dating Apps

Yoel Roth suffered targeted harassment after quitting as top content cop at Elon Musk’s Twitter. Now he’s head of trust and safety at dating giant Match Group, owner of Tinder, Hinge, and more. from Wired https://ift.tt/FENxd5g

Google Is Getting Thousands of Deepfake Porn Complaints

Content creators are using copyright laws to get nonconsensual deepfakes removed from the web. With the complaints covering nearly 30,000 URLs, experts say Google should do more to help. from Wired https://ift.tt/YipFkIr

The Kate Middleton Photo Controversy Is an Inexplicable Mess

Apparent manipulations to an official image of the Princess of Wales led wire services to issue a “kill notice” on the photo. from Wired https://ift.tt/Mwk3vKF

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Our in-house physics whiz explains how a heat pump can warm your home without burning fossil fuels. from Wired https://ift.tt/crjTYo1

14 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones (2024): Over-Ears, Wireless Earbuds, Workout

Tune out (or rock out) with our favorite over-ears and earbuds. from Wired https://ift.tt/XLQj2Of

Selective Forgetting Can Help AI Learn Better

Erasing key information during training allows machine learning models to learn new languages faster and more easily. from Wired https://ift.tt/frqgBVT

The Influencers Getting Paid to Promote Designer Knockoffs From China

Influencers on TikTok and Reddit earn a cut of the counterfeit goods trade by promoting high-quality “replicas” sourced from ecommerce sites in China. from Wired https://ift.tt/pxYngLj

Welcome to the Valley of the Creepy AI Dolls

Social robots for older adults might not be new, but now they're recording, listening—and talking back. from Wired https://ift.tt/vaOD8lJ

Stop Misunderstanding the Gender Health Gap

Sex differences explain some of the gaping health inequalities between men and women—but a lot of the time, it’s sexism. from Wired https://ift.tt/6Ajz3es

Sam Altman Is Reinstated to OpenAI’s Board

OpenAI named Sam Altman, its fired-then-rehired CEO, to its board of directors Friday. It also added three women with executive experience at Sony, Meta, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. from Wired https://ift.tt/DcIGMih

13 Best Deals From the Discover Samsung Sale: Phones, Tablets, TVs

This week you can save on smartphones, tablets, headphones, and even a projector. from Wired https://ift.tt/c3vAu1h

How to Turn Off Facebook’s Two-Factor Authentication Change

With Meta’s updated 2FA process, the company now automatically trusts devices you often use. from Wired https://ift.tt/67Dx438

Apple Could Be the First Target of Europe's Tough New Tech Law

An architect of the EU's tough new Digital Markets Acts says Apple would be a logical first candidate for investigation under the law, which aims to “break open” tech platforms. from Wired https://ift.tt/T4da52e

Rivian R2, R3, R3X: Price, Specs, Release Date

The Rivian R2, a new smaller EV, will cost “around” $45,000 and be available in 2026, the troubled electric automaker said at an event in California today. Two crossovers, the R3 and R3X, will follow. from Wired https://ift.tt/wnxN0UQ

5 Years After San Francisco Banned Face Recognition, Voters Ask for More Surveillance

On Tuesday the country’s techiest city backed a ballot proposition that tapped into concerns about crime, giving the police more freedom to use drones and other surveillance technology. from Wired https://ift.tt/yvOdYo6

Europe's Digital Markets Act Is Breaking Open the Empires of Big Tech

Tech giants have to comply with a new EU law that is set to change the internet. It aims to force open the biggest platforms to encourage competition and give users more choice in their digital lives. from Wired https://ift.tt/M01VY8z

The 16 Sci-Fi Movies You Need to Watch Before You Die

Here’s how to stream the best sci-movies of all time, from Dune: Part Two to The Matrix. from Wired https://ift.tt/Tc6C5rY

The 24 Best Shows on Apple TV+ Right Now

From Masters of the Air to Constellation, here’s everything you need to be watching on the streamer. from Wired https://ift.tt/NW5tQXM

Inside Registered Agents Inc., the Shadowy Firm Pushing the Limits of Business Privacy

Registered Agents Inc. has for years allowed businesses to register under a cloak of anonymity. A WIRED investigation has found that its secretive founder has taken the practice to an extreme. from Wired https://ift.tt/FsqGVUN

Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads Are Coming Back Online After a 2-Hour Outage

People around the world reported that Meta’s social platforms Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads suffered outages for about two hours this morning. from Wired https://ift.tt/QqoeiOE

11 Best Tents (2024): Backpacking, Family, and Ultralight

The right shelter can make a big difference in how comfortable you are outdoors. Here are the ones we’ve tested and love. from Wired https://ift.tt/Z5S4GUJ

Over 600 Google Workers Urge the Company to Cut Ties With Israeli Tech Conference

WIRED reviewed a letter showing hundreds of Google workers demanding the company drop its sponsorship of MindTheTech, a conference in New York this week that promotes Israeli tech companies. from Wired https://ift.tt/db92Gpi

Diletta Bello Review: Perfect Crema Comes at a Cost

Treat it right and the Diletta Bello will brew the perfect espresso shot; treat it poorly and it'll spit in your cup. from Wired https://ift.tt/yoTWd95

Apple Fined $2 Billion as Europe Sides With Spotify

Music streaming service Spotify has long complained that Apple’s App Store rules put unfair restrictions on its business. Today the European Commission agreed, fining Apple $2 billion. from Wired https://ift.tt/LqZY740

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Microsoft-Powered Chatbot Just Disappeared

The RFK Jr. campaign's chatbot had previously affirmed Kennedy's promotion of conspiracy theories, and appeared to circumvent OpenAI's ban on political use. from Wired https://ift.tt/dCjfrhI

It's Not Easy Running a Geeky Business

TK from Wired https://ift.tt/AgvDfJP

LinkedIn Tells People if You Look at Their Profile. Here's How to Turn That Off

LinkedIn shares your activity on the platform by default. Change this setting and you can snoop on other people’s profiles without them knowing. from Wired https://ift.tt/nYwb4ru

5 Best Sturdy Stockings (2024): Tights, Pantyhose, Sustainable

We love to wear stockings and tights, but hate dealing with tears. These ones stand up to pulling, tugging, and even cat claws. from Wired https://ift.tt/1y6VEXu

This Is What Your Brain Does When You’re Not Doing Anything

When your mind is wandering, your brain’s “default mode” network is active. Its discovery 20 years ago inspired a raft of research into networks of brain regions and how they interact with each other. from Wired https://ift.tt/NEc3j5z

What Is OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus? Here’s What You Should Know

OpenAI’s subscription-only service costs $20 a month and includes access to the GPT-4 model. We signed up and tried it out. from Wired https://ift.tt/824Qlsg

7 Great Deals on iPads and Accessories

From the standard iPad to the Air, we found great discounts on Apple's tablets. And a few of our favorite accessories, too. from Wired https://ift.tt/mEiahM0

Waymo Will Bring Autonomous Taxis to Los Angeles—Its Biggest Challenge Yet

Waymo got approval Friday afternoon from California regulators for paid robotaxi rides in the second-largest city in the US, plus even more of the Bay Area. from Wired https://ift.tt/lr1BjK5

The Wild Claim at the Heart of Elon Musk’s OpenAI Lawsuit

Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI hinges on a dubious claim that the company has already developed ‘artificial general intelligence’—and handed it over to Microsoft. from Wired https://ift.tt/xMdS6w5

A Leap Year Glitch Broke Self-Pay Gas Station Pumps Across New Zealand

It’s like if the Y2K bug happened, but only for gas station pumps. And only in New Zealand. from Wired https://ift.tt/DLj7TA8