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Showing posts from February, 2026

The Best Roku Is $20 Off

The Roku Ultra isn't just speedier, it also offers some advanced features that some viewers will find really handy. from WIRED https://ift.tt/4QdCfe2

OpenAI Fires an Employee for Prediction Market Insider Trading

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are big business, and some Big Tech employees are testing boundaries by making trades based on insider knowledge. from WIRED https://ift.tt/jF8IZcw

Everything Larry and David Ellison Will Control if Paramount Buys Warner Bros.

Paramount Skydance’s sprawling media empire will get a major boost if the deal gets approved. from WIRED https://ift.tt/Xm9hSy0

‘Uncanny Valley’: Pentagon vs. ‘Woke’ Anthropic, Agentic vs. Mimetic, and Trump vs. State of the Union

Our hosts unpack the news of the week, starting with the ongoing feud between Anthropic and the Pentagon. Plus: All you need to know about TAT-8 and undersea cables. from WIRED https://ift.tt/MC83nwe

How Chinese AI Chatbots Censor Themselves

Researchers from Stanford and Princeton found that Chinese AI models are more likely than their Western counterparts to dodge political questions or deliver inaccurate answers. from WIRED https://ift.tt/Ehq89Tv

Are You ‘Agentic’ Enough for the AI Era?

Silicon Valley built AI coding agents that can handle most of the grunt work. Now, the most valuable skill in tech is deciding what they should do. from WIRED https://ift.tt/ztvc7er

Everyone Speaks Incel Now

After migrating from misogynist forums to social media feeds, terms like “looksmaxxing” and “mogged” are now impossible to avoid. from WIRED https://ift.tt/8vqBlhP

Riley Walz, the Jester of Silicon Valley, Is Joining OpenAI

The software engineer is famous for his online stunts. Now he’s joining the company behind ChatGPT to work on new ways for humans to use AI systems. from WIRED https://ift.tt/RQ3XJ0H

The AirPods Pro 3 Are $20 Off

It's not the flashiest deal, but if you need a new pair, you can snag one at a slight discount. from WIRED https://ift.tt/TMKS0fg

Here’s What a Google Subpoena Response Looks Like, Courtesy of the Epstein Files

The US Justice Department disclosures give fresh clues about how tech companies handle government inquiries about your data. from WIRED https://ift.tt/J8Lgoxi

Save $20 On Our Favorite Gaming Headset

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 have excellent compatibility and a comfortable, lightweight fit. from WIRED https://ift.tt/CQIpFz7

Life in Cuba Under Trump's Pressure Campaign: No Electricity, No Oil, and Impossible Choices

As the United States takes new steps against the regime that has ruled the island since 1959, the Cuban people face 20-hour blackouts, decreased internet access, and shortages of basic supplies. from WIRED https://ift.tt/n7hjDWb

College Campuses Are in Upheaval Over Faculty Ties to Epstein

From small art schools to large public universities, the new DOJ release of emails reveals just how deep the financier’s influence in academia went. Students are demanding accountability. from WIRED https://ift.tt/14QNBF9

Start Your Surround Sound Journey With $50 off This Klipsch Soundbar

This soundbar is just the beginning, with the option to add wireless bookshelf speakers or a subwoofer. from WIRED https://ift.tt/7Htrkmf

6 Best Duffel Bags We Tested While Traveling (2026)

Need to schlep some stuff? Consider these field-tested duffel bags. The Eastpak Duffel Pack S Tarp Black2 is our top pick. from WIRED https://ift.tt/gcomrWh

Uncanny Valley: AI Researchers’ Resignations, Bots Hiring Humans, Evie Magazine’s Party

This episode of Uncanny Valley covers the people resigning from AI companies and the humans getting hired by AI agents. Plus, we attend a soiree thrown by a conservative women's magazine. from WIRED https://ift.tt/ZWf0pDU

Best Puffer Jacket (2026): Patagonia, Arc’teryx, REI

Our favorite down puffer jackets will keep you warm in the backcountry and around town. from WIRED https://ift.tt/DNXo861

The Best iPad to Buy (and Some to Avoid) in 2026

We break down the current iPad lineup to help you figure out which of Apple’s tablets is best for you. from WIRED https://ift.tt/Z7Ljs51

Say Goodbye to the Undersea Cable That Made the Global Internet Possible

History was unmade last year, as engineers began the massive project of ripping the first-ever transoceanic fiber-optic cable from the ocean floor. Just don’t mention sharks. from WIRED https://ift.tt/kS6sCAv

NASA Delays Launch of Artemis II Lunar Mission Once Again

A failure in the helium flow of the SLS rocket has prompted NASA to delay the Artemis II moon mission. Rather than March 6, the launch is now targeted for April. from WIRED https://ift.tt/bLHu17n

Best Electric Toothbrush, Backed by Real-Life Testing (2026)

How to choose a toothbrush that protects your smile and gum health. from WIRED https://ift.tt/2rZxAKO

Sony’s WH-CH720N headphones offer excellent value at full price, but right now they're a steal.

Sony’s WH-CH720N headphones offer excellent value at full price, but right now they're a steal. from WIRED https://ift.tt/Y1F53af

DHS Wants a Single Search Engine to Flag Faces and Fingerprints Across Agencies

Homeland Security aims to combine its face and fingerprint systems into one big biometric platform—after dismantling centralized privacy reviews and key limits on face recognition. from WIRED https://ift.tt/jmnB27f

The CDC Has a Leadership Crisis

A 2023 law championed by Republicans requires the CDC have a director confirmed by the Senate. For months, though, it's had only acting directors—and the White House won't say when that will change. from WIRED https://ift.tt/O67Q9qm

The Best Chairs and Desks from Branch Are on Sale (We’ve Tested Them All)

Branch makes excellent office essentials, and our top picks are discounted. from WIRED https://ift.tt/Wq9yJR7

Perplexity’s Retreat From Ads Signals a Bigger Strategic Shift

The AI search startup once predicted advertising would be a massive business. Now it's betting on a smaller, more valuable audience. from WIRED https://ift.tt/tKSuxq3

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 Headphones Are at Their Lowest Price in Months

Bose's fabulous QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 noise-canceling headphones are the best travel headphones and are $50 off. from WIRED https://ift.tt/GBKVTXb

Nvidia’s Deal With Meta Signals a New Era in Computing Power

The days of tech giants buying up discrete chips are over. AI companies now need GPUs, CPUs, and everything in between. from WIRED https://ift.tt/DjxiNdf

The Best Way to Pay Your Taxes Online (2026)

Paying US federal and state taxes online can be confusing, and one wrong move can result in penalties or extra money owed. We break it down so you can have the most worry-free tax filing possible. from WIRED https://ift.tt/yodrciB

Meta and Other Tech Companies Ban OpenClaw Over Cybersecurity Concerns

Security experts have urged people to be cautious with the viral agentic AI tool, known for being highly capable but also wildly unpredictable. from WIRED https://ift.tt/s2U1H83

The Curling Controversy at the Winter Olympics Isn’t What You Think

After Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian vice-skip Marc Kennedy of cheating last week, everyone has become an expert in curling rules. They’re missing the point. from WIRED https://ift.tt/9mQltbB

The Simplest Android App for Scanning Documents

Most scanning apps try to get you to buy a cloud storage subscription or pay for extras. Not FairScan, which is free and open-source, and has some powerful features. from WIRED https://ift.tt/9x4OARa

AI Digital Twins Are Helping People Manage Diabetes and Obesity

As patients and employers look for alternatives to pricey GLP-1 drugs, Silicon Valley startup Twin Health is using AI and wearable sensors to help people make healthier choices. from WIRED https://ift.tt/s2DrHmw

The Small English Town Swept Up in the Global AI Arms Race

The residents of Potters Bar are working to protect the “green belt” of farms, forests, and meadows that surround London from the endless demand for AI infrastructure. from WIRED https://ift.tt/UnHG6yk

The El Paso No-Fly Debacle Is Just the Beginning of a Drone Defense Mess

Fears over a drug cartel drone over Texas sparked a recent airspace shutdown in El Paso and New Mexico, highlighting just how tricky it can be to deploy anti-drone weapons near cities. from WIRED https://ift.tt/ud8tDjI

Makers Are Building Back Against ICE

In hacker spaces and at their homes, creative protesters are laser-cutting and 3D-printing tools to resist an occupation. from WIRED https://ift.tt/noZzsQD

CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet Review: Baby Hairs Abound (2026)

This FDA-cleared red-light helmet helps spur hair growth and is Bluetooth-enabled with a comfortable design. But don’t expect results overnight. from WIRED https://ift.tt/rWIiZ3A

AI, Fancy Footwear, and All the Other Gear Powering Olympic Bobsledding

Bobsledders rely a lot on specialized equipment to perform well and stay safe during the "Formula 1 of ice.” Here’s a quick guide. from WIRED https://ift.tt/BtZpsrI

These Open Earbuds Are Just Over $20

Don’t be fooled by a slowly dropping price tag, the Acefit are surprisingly capable. from WIRED https://ift.tt/bu20Nxa

A Wave of Unexplained Bot Traffic Is Sweeping the Web

From small publishers to US federal agencies, websites are reporting unusual spikes in automated traffic linked to IP addresses in Lanzhou, China. from WIRED https://ift.tt/wtrKbQ8

Our Favorite TV Is Still Almost Half Off

Best Buy continues to sell the TCL QM6K for a staggering discount. from WIRED https://ift.tt/2X7c1CA

I Loved My OpenClaw AI Agent—Until It Turned on Me

I used the viral AI helper to order groceries, sort emails, and negotiate deals. Then it decided to scam me. from WIRED https://ift.tt/9d3NbTI

Our Favorite Upgraded Power Bank Is $30 Off

This supercharged Anker pack can keep all your devices topped up. from WIRED https://ift.tt/YuhAqz2

RFK Jr. Says Americans Need More Protein. His Grok-Powered Food Website Disagrees

The site Realfood.gov uses Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot to dispense nutrition information—some of which contradicts the government’s new guidelines. from WIRED https://ift.tt/3ytNT2L

Palantir CEO Alex Karp Recorded a Video About ICE for His Employees

In a video shared with Palantir employees, Alex Karp did not explain how ICE is utilizing the company's products. Instead, workers were told they can sign NDAs if they want detailed information. from WIRED https://ift.tt/vcE4K8Q

This GoPro and Lens Bundle Is $200 Off

You can grab a fully kitted action camera and all the lenses for $550. from WIRED https://ift.tt/wV6jRUP

OpenAI Abandons ‘io’ Branding for Its AI Hardware

A court filing in a trademark lawsuit reveals OpenAI won't use the name “io” for its AI hardware device, which isn't expected to ship until 2027. from WIRED https://ift.tt/HLxEft1

Need a Splashy Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift? Try This Dessert Box

I tried Boarderie’s new sweets-only board, which ships overnight, to see if it’s impressive enough for your valentine. from WIRED https://ift.tt/2N4eY1h

Save $100 On Our Favorite Home Printer

The Epson ET-2980 is a great value at its full price, and the discount sweetens the deal. from WIRED https://ift.tt/fbqghPn

This Startup Thinks It Can Make Rocket Fuel From Water. Stop Laughing

General Galactic, cofounded by a former SpaceX engineer, plans to test its water-based propellant this fall. If successful, it could help usher in a new era of space travel. That's a big “if.” from WIRED https://ift.tt/DtzFanl

Super Bowl Tailgate Photo Essay: Bad Bunny, Big Tech, and the Big Game

We met up with attendees of Super Bowl LX’s pregame festivities to get their takes on the competing halftime shows, the potential for ICE actions, and the influence of Silicon Valley on the event. from WIRED https://ift.tt/T9xY4Ji

Turning Point USA’s Halftime Show Was Exactly What You’d Expect

“The All-American Halftime Show," born out of outrage over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance, fell short of the hype. From Kid Rock’s poor lip synching to Erika Kirk being MIA, it was simply dull. from WIRED https://ift.tt/8qFrgo2

Inside Bad Bunny’s Historic Super Bowl Halftime Show

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance required 9,852 theatrical pyrotechnics, nearly 400 costumed extras, and a lot of ingenuity. And yes, that was a real couple featured in the wedding. from WIRED https://ift.tt/DoJeLVj

Best Vacuum Cleaner (2026): Cordless Vacuums, Robot Vacuums, Dysons

Looking for all our top recommended vacuums? Here are our favorites in every style we’ve tested, from stick vacs to robot vacuums. from WIRED https://ift.tt/YN9FC2S

For $4,550, Would You Buy a Single Premium Watch or a Swarm of Affordable Ones?

You could go all in on one pricey, luxe watch or assemble a collection of lower-budget timepieces. Let’s crunch the numbers. from WIRED https://ift.tt/SPJizMG

RFK Jr. Has Packed an Autism Panel With Cranks and Conspiracy Theorists

Among those Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently named to a federal autism committee are people who tout dangerous treatments and say vaccine manufacturers are “poisoning children.” from WIRED https://ift.tt/O64SRk3

I Tried What US Athletes Will Be Sleeping on at Milano Cortina

Saatva is providing a bedding bundle to Team USA hockey and figure skating at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games—here are my thoughts on it as a sleep coach. from WIRED https://ift.tt/ovGzQgw

New York Is the Latest State to Consider a Data Center Pause

Red and blue states alike have introduced legislation in recent weeks that would halt data center development, citing concerns from climate to high energy prices. from WIRED https://ift.tt/e3Nd7yi

The Latest Apple Watch Is $100 Off

Upgrade to a full day of battery life and new health features. from WIRED https://ift.tt/pkLw5cr

Measles Is Causing Brain Swelling in Children in South Carolina

In the ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina that has infected more than 800 people, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis. from WIRED https://ift.tt/OI5Gxmg

Notepad++ Users, You May Have Been Hacked by China

Suspected Chinese state-backed hackers hijacked the Notepadd++ update infrastructure to deliver backdoored version of the popular free source code editor and note-taking app for Windows. from WIRED https://ift.tt/EDScPKn

Our Favorite Pixel Phone Is $100 Off

While the Pixel 9a isn't the fanciest offering, it is the best value, and it gets even better with a discount. from WIRED https://ift.tt/vV0cB7O

An ‘Intimacy Crisis’ Is Driving the Dating Divide

In his book The Intimate Animal, sex and relationships researcher Justin Garcia says people have miscalculated their need for human intimacy, which is the real issue at root of the loneliness epidemic. from WIRED https://ift.tt/VfF0vN3

Upgrade Your Roku Before the Big Game

Roku is knocking down the price of all of its streaming devices ahead of football’s big game. from WIRED https://ift.tt/atE3nBb

The Tech Elites in the Epstein Files

The Department of Justice has released more than 3 million documents and photos related to Jeffrey Epstein. Here’s who shows up from Big Tech the most often—and what the files reveal. from WIRED https://ift.tt/QA6eofI

Dyson Deals: WIRED's Top Pick Pet Vacuum and Purifier Heater

WIRED's favorite pet vacuum, and our favorite purifier-heater, are on steep discount right now. from WIRED https://ift.tt/opugw2k

Our Favorite Soundbar for Most People Is $50 Off

Yamaha's simple setup and substantial subwoofer set it apart, especially on sale. from WIRED https://ift.tt/x7vtJhs

How to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics

Chill out and watch all the hockey, skiing, and skating competitions through the whole month of February. from WIRED https://ift.tt/MkVfZ82