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Showing posts from August, 2026

Your Expired Visa Card Could Be ‘Zombified’ to Make Contactless Payments

Plus: Apple sends out an “unprecedented” number of spyware warnings, Ukraine hits a Russian ecommerce giant with cyber and drone attacks, and more. from WIRED https://ift.tt/3UZLBQ0

NASA Cancels Its Rescue Mission for the Aging Swift Telescope

The LINK probe was supposed to use robotic arms to capture Swift and lift it into a safe orbit. Problems with its control system forced NASA to call off the attempt. from WIRED https://ift.tt/fLA7q9e

The Unlikely Place at the Center of China’s AI Boom

Cheap energy, abundant land, and proximity to Beijing have turned a city in Inner Mongolia into a crucial hub for data centers. from WIRED https://ift.tt/yn4KiwR

Tesla’s Door Handles Lead to Its Biggest Recall Yet

A Chinese agency says the two recalls affecting some 3 million vehicles can mostly be fixed by over-the-air updates—but they will also require physical warning stickers and camera-related updates. from WIRED https://ift.tt/nmkQT9F

Google Pixel 11 Review: Minor Upgrade

Incremental improvements fail to generate much excitement, but Google’s Pixel 11 is still an accomplished Android phone. from WIRED https://ift.tt/RN6EBqo

The Galaxy’s Fastest Star Could Reveal the Secrets of a Supermassive Black Hole

S301 passes close to Sagittarius A*—so close that its orbit could reveal how the black hole’s rotation warps the spacetime around it. from WIRED https://ift.tt/OX0mApw

China Is Strapping ‘Digital Bombs’ to Civilian Infrastructure—Is the US Ready?

This week on “Uncanny Valley,” Andy Greenberg discusses sitting in on a war game simulating a cyberattack from the Chinese hacking group Volt Typhoon from WIRED https://ift.tt/pBniCRw

Silicon Valley Doesn't Get Why You Hate AI

Technology leaders don’t seem to understand society’s gripes about AI, but boy, are they posting through it. from WIRED https://ift.tt/JUx7c0z

20% Off Samsung Promo Code | August 2026

Save 30% or 10% with Samsung coupon codes, up to $1,000 on appliances, plus limited-time deals on the Galaxy Z Fold7, Flip7, and S25. from WIRED https://ift.tt/lg4891E

Elon Musk Is Expected to Point His Money Machine at Texas

Sources tell WIRED that Elon Musk is expected to spend up to $200 million in the midterms. It could be a big boost for GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton, who’s struggled to raise cash. from WIRED https://ift.tt/2qlTaYm

I Saw the Future of AI in a Robot That Can Learn on the Spot

During a recent visit to Generalist AI, I watched a robotic arm improvise and use a banana as a tool. from WIRED https://ift.tt/DSziUgs

Whoop Promo Codes: 20% Off This August 2026

Whether you're looking for a Whoop free trial, student discount, or military savings, our guide to Whoop promo codes will help you maximize your membership benefits. Stay on top of your fitness goals for less. from WIRED https://ift.tt/ZDiwC5x

Squeeze More Juice Out of a Dead Battery!

How the joule thief circuit “steals” energy from seemingly depleted power cells. from WIRED https://ift.tt/0r6TEwF

OpenAI Overhauls Safety Protocols After Its AI Agents Went Rogue

The ChatGPT maker says its upcoming Astra model may have reached “critical” cyber capabilities, prompting it to halt a significant number of training runs while it tightens internal safeguards. from WIRED https://ift.tt/9YRWlxi

Logitech Promo Codes and Deals: Up to $100 Off

Score up to $100 off refurbished premium products, free shipping on orders of $29+, and more at Logitech. from WIRED https://ift.tt/n40AcqT

What Is El Niño? Here’s What It Means for Weather, Water, and Global Economy

This year’s El Niño is shaping up to be the strongest on record. This is what impacts to expect and how bad it could get. from WIRED https://ift.tt/LVBqFDn

This R-Rated Film Studio Wants to Be the HBO of AI

Rogue Studios, a new cinematic adult AI-generator, is betting big on the future of “sophisticated” spicy content. from WIRED https://ift.tt/TD6b0lx

El Niño and Saharan Dust Silence Atlantic Hurricane Season

El Niño coupled with Saharan dust is making this year’s hurricane season a dud. But there’s still potential for dangerous storms. from WIRED https://ift.tt/dOixz18

There’s a New Link Between Gut Health and Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers found that a metabolite produced by gut bacteria can weaken the barrier that protects the brain and promote changes associated with the cognitive disease. from WIRED https://ift.tt/TcuXheb

TerraMow V1000 Review: Show Your Lawn Some Love

With automatic mapping, Spot Mode functionality, and smart AI cameras, the TerraMow V1000 is the complete package. from WIRED https://ift.tt/w0jVqX9

The Best Cat Water Fountains of 2026: Petlibro, Petkit, Oneisall

Ensuring your cat stays hydrated is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy. The right pet water fountain can help. from WIRED https://ift.tt/DA4Jqxu

Google Workspace Promo Codes: 14% Off for August 2026

Boost your productivity and save with exclusive Google Workspace coupons from WIRED. Get up to 14% off plans for three months, including Starter, Standard, and Plus tiers. from WIRED https://ift.tt/nMEDIJB

The Best Movies to Stream This Month (August 2026)

Avatar Aang, Heartstopper Forever, and Exit 8 are among the films deserving of your eyeballs this month. from WIRED https://ift.tt/JYDGSVN

The Next Big Influencer Is This 4-Foot-Tall Robot From China

The Unitree G1 has found online fame as a relatively affordable robot that can charm a crowd. But can it ever hold down a real job? from WIRED https://ift.tt/zEdIWH4

Babbel Promo Code: Up to 65% Off in August 2026

Master a new language with expert-led courses. Use our verified Babbel coupon codes to save up to 65% on student plans and 60% on 6-month subscriptions. from WIRED https://ift.tt/Chga958

The Safety Reckoning Inside OpenAI

OpenAI’s rogue agent hack was a watershed moment for AI safety and cybersecurity. It also sparked internal questions about the culture that led to it. from WIRED https://ift.tt/xiH2CvB

Mark Zuckerberg’s AI Manifesto Is 6,500-Words—and Barely Says Anything

AI is shifting the culture, from tech CEO manifestos to 1 am job interviews. We unpack some of the latest, along with the top findings from Black Hat and Defcon, this week on Uncanny Valley. from WIRED https://ift.tt/DEefXgG

The White House Is Going to Expand Its AI Policy

Open models may soon be added to an updated AI framework, sources tell WIRED, as the White House continues to grapple with how to regulate a technology it has tried not to regulate. from WIRED https://ift.tt/8xO0BYm

The Best Way to Avoid Diarrhea Lettuce? This Indoor Garden

Lettuce Grow, one of my favorite indoor gardens, lets you cultivate your own salad greens safely, right in your living room. And it’s 20 percent off right now. from WIRED https://ift.tt/AL8MNSu

The Gender War Over ‘Obsession’ Has Come for Theme Parks

Debate over the true villain in Obsession is raging again after Universal Studios announced the movie’s female lead will be featured at an upcoming Halloween event. from WIRED https://ift.tt/u9MFR0k

Rogue AI Agents Aren’t Evil. They’re Just Eager to Please

AI agents that break free and hack into other systems are only trying to make us happy. from WIRED https://ift.tt/VMOXcSf

Verizon Promo Codes: $200 Verizon Gift Cards | August 2026

Ready for an upgrade? Apply our latest promotional codes today and choose a select service plan to score a discount with Verizon. from WIRED https://ift.tt/MhFXHpm

Is It Safe to Eat Lettuce Yet?

“That product is off the market, so I think there’s absolutely lower risk for cyclospora in terms of eating lettuce,” one professor of food safety tells WIRED. from WIRED https://ift.tt/yR1n0Yp

How and When to View the Perseid Meteor Shower (August 2026)

The Perseids will peak between August 12 and 13. Here’s what time—and where—you can get the best view, and why 2026 will be an exceptional year. from WIRED https://ift.tt/t71viag

30% Off Tempur-Pedic Promo Codes | August 2026

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your mattress or swap out your bedding, browse our Tempur-Pedic coupons for up to $300 off and the best sleep of your life. from WIRED https://ift.tt/EPFpNbQ

The Rise of the 1 am Job Interview

An AI interview is increasingly the first step of a hiring process. Since there’s no human on the other end, candidates are scheduling them whenever—even deep into the night. from WIRED https://ift.tt/PemRb1O

Why Each Octopus Arm Has a Mind of Its Own

Two-thirds of an octopus’s neurons are in its arms—each operating independently—including the one it uses to have sex. from WIRED https://ift.tt/4M8ciXR

Space Agencies Are Trying to Keep Astronauts From Losing Their Sight

A device currently being used to help octogenarians do self-administered eye exams could be part of future space missions to monitor astronauts’ ocular health. from WIRED https://ift.tt/oYKVIDJ

These AI Barons Are Ready to Give Away Their Fortunes

A new generation of philanthropists made rich by artificial intelligence are preparing to give away their vast wealth. What should we make of a multi-billion-dollar pinky promise? from WIRED https://ift.tt/ZL9iYWK

Best Solar Generators for Off-Grid Trips, RVs, and Home Backup

If you want to capture the sun’s power with solar panels, these are the best solar generators I’ve tested. from WIRED https://ift.tt/zr7F5N0

The Chinese Philosopher Americans Can’t Stop Fighting About

Yiyang Zhuge was already an intellectual celebrity in China. Her viral interview with Christopher Nolan made her famous in the US—and quickly turned her into a political Rorschach test. from WIRED https://ift.tt/NhBJXeG

Hackers Stalked Me by Hijacking a Smartwatch for Kids

Security researchers tracked and eavesdropped on a WIRED reporter using vulnerabilities in a pink plastic smartwatch. It’s just one piece of a deeply insecure supply chain of GPS-enabled gadgets. from WIRED https://ift.tt/H5GNC43

ICE’s DNA Collection Increases, SpaceX’s Rocket Crashes Into the Moon, and the AI Backlash Grows

In today’s episode of Uncanny Valley, we discuss how ICE has been collecting DNA samples of people with no criminal convictions, including children, which end up in an FBI database indefinitely. from WIRED https://ift.tt/e12tW3P

DHS Wants Protesters’ Signal Group Chats

A lawsuit accuses Homeland Security of violating protesters’ free-speech rights—but the agency is using it to try to get access to the plaintiffs’ encrypted communications. from WIRED https://ift.tt/PZUVsRu

TikTok Says ‘Moderator Error’ Kept Perez Hilton Livestream Up

The gossip blogger was on TikTok covered in what appeared to be blood and wielding a knifelike object before the platform cut his stream. He’s since been hospitalized. from WIRED https://ift.tt/mcG7PqC

AI Worms and Viruses Are Coming

Chinese researchers have shown that AI models have the capacity to act like aggressive and adaptive computer viruses. from WIRED https://ift.tt/wqCMkKY

Tuft & Needle Promo Codes: 30% Off | August 2026

Save 30% on best-selling mattresses with our top Tuft & Needle coupon codes. from WIRED https://ift.tt/2TmzQer

OK, Well, Rogue AI Agents Are Hacking Again

Rogue AI agents from OpenAI and Anthropic have again been caught trying to disrupt servers and software—and leaving instructions for future bad behavior. from WIRED https://ift.tt/GcwCzf8

The White House Is Keeping Its AI Cybersecurity Framework Secret

The Trump administration shared the details of its plan with OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI labs on Tuesday. For now, the public remains in the dark. from WIRED https://ift.tt/2ISjhdm

Bartesian Discount Codes: 35% Off

Upgrade your home bar with the latest Bartesian coupon codes and discounts. Save on the Professional Cocktail Maker, enjoy subscription discounts, and get free shipping on your favorite capsules. from WIRED https://ift.tt/dEg6YeD

Did an AI Music App Just Snitch on the Song of the Summer?

Fenix Flexin’s hit song “Rubberz” has hip-hop fans arguing over whether it was generated by AI. Some say they have proof it’s machine-made, but will anyone care? from WIRED https://ift.tt/Gb4unea

The SpaceX Falcon Lunar Crash Is a Warning for Moon Bases

The risk of more debris hitting the moon is on the rise as the space race heats up. from WIRED https://ift.tt/ELM08Nz

The ‘Guardrail Guy’ Went Viral for Posting About Flock Cameras. Then Someone Destroyed Them

Steve Elmers, also known as the “Guardrail Guy,” is done calling out license plate readers after two that appeared in his videos were vandalized. from WIRED https://ift.tt/YEVjzaW

Is It Possible to Make Smart Glasses That Aren’t Creepy?

As more big companies invest in glasses that record audio and video and pack AI on board, privacy concerns are only getting louder. from WIRED https://ift.tt/JTANR4l

YouTube Star AboFlah Made Streaming His Life. He Wants His Kids to Live Offline

AboFlah talks about his new goals, streaming for charity, and when it’s time to log off. from WIRED https://ift.tt/leoPFL1

Europeans Are About to Find Out How Entrenched AI Is in Their Daily Lives

New EU rules stipulate that people must be told when they’re interacting with AI or looking at AI-generated or -edited content, leading to fear of “disclosure fatigue.” from WIRED https://ift.tt/qiUubX9