What AlphaGo Can Teach Us About How People Learn

David Silver of DeepMind, who helped create the program that defeated a Go champion, thinks rewards are central to how machines—and humans—acquire knowledge.

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The F-14 and the Secret History of the First Microprocessor

In a weird way, I’ve known Ray Holt all my life, but I never knew what he had accomplished—or how his inventions wove their way into my own family.

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The Race for a Covid Vaccine Was More About Luck Than Tech

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna's mRNA platforms are amazing—but they could easily have been overtaken by more conventional rivals.

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Everything You Need to Work From Home Like a Pro

Gear can make or break your home office setup. Here's our ultimate list of the best monitors, desks, webcams, headphones, and more.

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How Would Deadpool Jump Into a Moving Vehicle?

Our sardonic superhero needs to get the timing just right to crash through the sunroof and beat up the bad guys.

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The Death of FOMO As We Knew It

During a global pandemic, the fear of missing out was replaced by something else: dread over not experiencing what could have been.

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The Biden Administration Needs a VP of Engineering, Not a CTO

If our government wants to implement a tech-forward agenda, it needs someone who looks at broken infrastructure with a debugger’s eye.

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A Unique Alliance Could Help Warn Us of Toxic Algae

In Washington state, scientists, coastal communities, and state agencies are banding together to manage the growing threat of harmful algal blooms.

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The Best Indie Games You May Have Missed This Year

2020 wasn't just a year for big-budget blockbusters. Here are the best debuts from smaller shops—that are all worth playing into 2021.

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Amazon’s Fourth-Gen Echo Looks—and Sounds—Even Better

Thanks to a rounded design and improved drivers, the company’s newest smart speaker outshines the competition.

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2020 Shows the Danger of a Decapitated Cyber Regime

Trump's White House has long been AWOL on cybersecurity. That lack of oversight almost seemed to be working—until the SolarWinds hack.

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Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 Is Buggy. But Mostly, It Has No Heart

People misunderstand why I dislike the game. It's not the bugs—it’s that everyone in it sucks.

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Could Carbon Dioxide Be Turned Into Jet Fuel?

A team at Oxford University has reverse engineered fuel from the greenhouse gas—but so far just in the lab.

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5 Ways to Monitor Your Blood Pressure Wherever You Are

These portable devices can send results to your phone—and help you keep track of your health.

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The Best Kindles to Take Your Library Anywhere

Amazon has four different ebook readers. Here's how they stack up—and which may be right for you.

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My Year Watching Submarine Movies

To cope with Covid-19 lockdowns, many folks watched older films at home. Some tackled the AFI 100, or picked a favorite director. I picked a theme.

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How Much Will Data Caps Hurt Game Streaming?

Spoiler: Not too much, but watch your wallet before signing up for anyone's “unlimited” plan.

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Test Positivity Is a Bad Way to Measure Covid’s Spread

So why do policymakers keep using it?

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Uber and Lyft’s Gig Work Law Could Expand Beyond California

The companies are backing proposals in other states that would give workers the ability to form unions—but still consider them contractors, not employees.

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Video Game Hell Isn’t Nearly Agonizing Enough

Games like Hades take place, largely, in hell. What does that say about the players who happily retreat into the underworld?

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The Best Cheap Phones for (Almost) Every Budget

There’s little reason to pay top dollar for a phone these days. These are our favorite Android devices and iPhones for $200 to $500.

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Super Last-Minute Gift Ideas—and Excuses—for Procrastinators

If your Christmas tree is missing a present, or you can't celebrate IRL, these gifts will keep you on the nice list.

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The Newest Weapon Against Covid-19: AI That Speed-Reads Faxes

Local health departments rely on the old-fangled tech to track cases. A hastily developed machine-learning program gives it an assist.

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25 of the Best Longreads of 2020

It was a brutal year. Take a breath and enjoy some of our favorite in-depth stories.

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Apple Fitness+ Is Either Right on Time or Much Too Late

Apple invites users to sweat along with prerecorded classes on its new streaming workout platform—but the experience lags behind the competition.

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Cyberpunk 2077 and the Meaning of Its Deadly Dildos

In lots of video games, sex toys are repurposed for violence. What's the deal?

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The Oldest Crewed Deep Sea Submarine Just Got a Big Makeover

The 60-year-old sub is preparing to take its deepest plunge yet. But in the age of autonomous machines, why are humans exploring the ocean floor at all?

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The Best Chef's Knives to Level Up Your Home Cooking

It's the indispensable multi-tool of the kitchen. We sliced and diced our way through meats and veggies to find today's best blades.

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Move Over Peloton. Myx Plus Is the Better Bargain

The $1,499 package includes a stationary bike with a tablet, a set of weights, and hours of streaming video workouts to shake off those 2020 blues.

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Pet Prosthetics Get a Boost From 3D Printing

New modeling software is helping animal health experts develop more customizable prosthetics for pets with missing limbs. Still, not all legs are created equal.

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2020: The Year of Cancel(l)ed Culture

This year, monoculture floundered, but microculture flourished. Everyone found a niche—and learned what they could live without.

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This Was Supposed to Be the Year of the Female Movie Hero

From Wonder Woman 1984 to Black Widow, heroines were going to bust the box office in 2020. Then, they didn't.

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Some UK Stores Are Using Facial Recognition to Track Shoppers

Branches of the British grocer Southern Co-op are using surveillance technology to look for potential shoplifters.

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Want to Start a Podcast or Livestream? Here's What You Need

Now is the time to create your own content. This gear can help you get great audio and video quality from the start.

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A Massive Fraud Operation Stole Millions From Online Accounts

The crooks used emulators to mimic the phones of more than 16,000 customers whose mobile bank accounts had been compromised.

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The Universe Is Expanding Faster Than Expected

Astronomers get their wish—new ultra-precise distance measurements between Earth and the stars—but that only intensifies a cosmic crisis.

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12 Face Masks Your Kids May Actually Wear

Whether your kids are going to school or playing outside, you'll need comfortable face coverings. These are the ones my little monsters will tolerate.

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How to Tame Those Distracting Notifications on Your Computer

Stop the chatter and find your quiet place.

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I Took a Zoom Cooking Class With a Roman Chef. It Was Awesome

In a Covid-inspired pivot, chefs around the world are offering interactive cooking classes online that help groups of disparate strangers learn some new tricks.

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Facial Hair Is Biologically Useless. Why Do Humans Have It?

Pubes protect you; head hair keeps you warm. But beards and mustaches seem to exist for mainly ornamental reasons.

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15 Gifts for PlayStation Lovers

Or for yourself, because we all deserve a little treat.

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Russia's SolarWinds Hack Is the Big One

All the most important stories about the biggest hack in years.

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Unlock Your Cycling Fitness Goals by Upgrading Your Bike

Don't blow your savings on a new bicycle. Instead, learn how to better maintain the one you've already got and swap out some key components along the way.

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Will Rising Temperatures Make Superweeds Even Stronger?

Widely used herbicides are struggling to kill some weeds. Some experts think heat could be part of the problem.

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The Right Way Hook Your Laptop Up to a TV

You have to do more than just plug and go. Let us help you pick the best cable for your device, and adjust your laptop and your TV settings for the best picture.

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Gear to Safely Make It Through a Pandemic Winter

We've collected all the latest advice, equipment, and up-to-date information to help you navigate the cold months ahead.

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18 Eleventh-Hour Holiday Deals on Games, Headphones, and More

Have you always wanted an advent calendar with Baby Yoda socks? Today's your lucky day.

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19 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Truly Desperate

Breathe. This year is almost over, and you still have time to find gifts for your loved ones.

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How to Understand the Russia Hack Fallout

Not all SolarWinds victims are created equal.

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The Into the Impossible Podcast Honors Arthur C. Clarke

Physicist Brian Keating, codirector of the Arthur C. Clarke Center for the Human Imagination, started the show to continue the center's mission of bringing together the world's top thinkers.

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Google’s Antitrust Cases: A Guide for the Perplexed

The company is facing multiple lawsuits from the Department of Justice and three dozen states. Here’s what you need to know.

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The Best Theragun to Buy (and the Best Alternatives)

Therabody's percussive therapy devices help soothe achy muscles. Here's our guide to its lineup, and a cheaper alternative.

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Check Out These Awesome Objects in the Night Sky

Get your binoculars (or not) and let’s explore the reaches of our galaxy and the craters of the moon.

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The Best Chromebooks for Every Budget

All in on Google services? Then check out our favorite Chrome OS laptops and 2-in-1 tablets for school, work, or home.

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Why Did the NSA Go (Virtually) MIA?

Plus: A visit to the agency’s headquarters, a license for engineers, and a holiday reprieve.

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HBO Max Is Now on Roku. Thanks, Wonder Woman!

After a long wait—and a lot of frustration—the streaming service is finally available on Roku devices. Just in time to watch Wonder Woman 1984.

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Our Tech Predictions for 2021

This week, we try to guess what the year ahead has in store. We also look back in shock at how wrong we were about 2020. Can't win em all.

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A New Field Guide for Earth’s Wild Microbes

The most massive database of microbial gene sequences so far shows that the tree of life is much larger than we knew.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Revives the Dystopian Fears of the 1980s

Putting aside the game's bugs and issues, the underlying themes speak to the fears and worries of a time gone by—not that we've moved past them all.

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The Future of Work: ‘ars longa’ by Tade Thompson

“It’s all well and good for an android to take a position and shut down motor functions. There’s no art in that. I want the old ways. That’s why I’m on Earth.”

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Discord Gaming Parties Are Better Than Zoom Meetings

You're probably using it to chat with friends, but if you're not using it to stream, play games, and chat with friends too, it's time to start.

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Airlines’ Pandemic-Driven Cargo Business Will Keep Flying

As Covid-19 shut down air travel, the industry quickly pivoted to hauling more stuff. It won’t be pivoting away anytime soon.

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Wildfire Smoke Is Loaded With Microbes. Is That Dangerous?

Researchers are putting out a call to study the potential effects of bacteria- and fungi-filled haze on human health.

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Russia's Hack Wasn't Cyberwar. That Complicates US Strategy

To evaluate whether cyber security tactics are working, you need to first establish what the SolarWinds hack really was.

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Wildfire Smoke Is Loaded With Microbes. Is That Dangerous?

Researchers are putting out a call to study the potential effects of bacteria- and fungi-filled haze on human health.

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Uber Faces a Fine for Refusing to Give Details on Assaults

The California Public Utility Commission demanded details on sexual assault cases involving drivers. But Uber says complying would compromise victims’ identities.

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Our Fave Smartwatches Do Much More Than Just Tell Time

These little wearables reduce your reliance on a phone—all while helping you stay connected.

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These Are the Gifts Teens Actually Want

Teenagers can be scary, but these adolescent-approved gifts are sweet.

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A Clever Strategy to Distribute Covid Aid—With Satellite Data

The small nation of Togo used image analysis algorithms to target economic support for its most vulnerable residents.

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The Best TikToks of 2020

The social media platform, which gained enormous popularity this year, served as a mirror of these often dystopian times.

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18 Passive-Aggressive Gifts for Your Terrible Roommate

If you're obligated to give a present, you may as well send a thinly veiled message behind it.

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Vaccines Are Here. We Have to Talk About Side Effects

Disinformation could thwart distribution before government messages have a chance to push back. Debunking might turn out to be everyone’s job.

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How Restaurants Retooled for Takeout—and Survival

Chefs tinkered with food chemistry, while dining apps reengineered logistics. Those changes will endure even after the pandemic is over.

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Texas Accuses Google and Facebook of an Illegal Conspiracy

A new antitrust case against Google alleges that the two companies made a deal to reduce competition in online advertising.

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Russia's Hacking Frenzy Is a Reckoning

Despite years of warning, the US still has no good answer for the sort of “supply chain” attack that let Russia run wild.

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How to Pick the Right Roku for Your TV

The company has a dizzying array of streaming sticks, boxes, TVs, and speakers to choose from, but don’t worry—these are the ones to buy.

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How NASA Scrambled to Save OSIRIS-REx From Leaky Disaster

The $800 million craft successfully collected precious asteroid material from a near-Earth asteroid. Then it started spilling regolith into space.

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14 Gifts to Cheer Up Your Favorite Cinephile

Theaters may be mostly shut down, but you can still roll out the red carpet for that special movie buff.

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Orwell's Animal Farm Sticks a Bit Too Close to the Book

Kudos to developer The Dairymen for tackling the classic parable, but a narrative focus means that players suffer the same lack of freedom as the game's characters.

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Cops Are Getting a New Tool For Family-Tree Sleuthing

Verogen’s push into public crime labs with genetic genealogy may help solve more cold cases, but it raises concerns about DNA data collection.

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Trick Out Your iPhone 12 With These Cases and Accessories

Whichever new model you get, we’ve rounded up the cases, chargers, and other extras you’ll want to snag.

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Trump Could Torpedo a Bill to Boost Funding for AI

The National Defense Authorization Act would increase US investment by $6.4 billion over 5 years. But the president could veto it over other provisions.

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The Future of Social Media Is All Talk

From Clubhouse to Discord to Twitter, 2020 was all about giving people a voice online. Literally.

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The Best Pop Culture That Got Us Through 2020

These 48 movies, TV shows, albums, Twitter feeds, songs, podcasts, and books helped us get through this wildly unprecedented year.

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24 Gifts We Love From BIPOC-Owned Businesses

These household gifts are perfect for anyone on your list.

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The First Americans Are Being Vaccinated. Now, the Hard Part

State and local officials are scrambling to figure out how to inoculate millions—after health care workers and the elderly—against the novel coronavirus.

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How Cyberpunk 2077 Sold a Promise—and Rigged the System

Video game companies are increasingly putting restrictions on what reviewers can show, widening the gap between expectations and reality.

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14 Excellent Gifts for Xbox Gamers

Whether your giftee has the Series X, S, or Xbox One, here are a few extras they might like.

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Need a Cheap Laptop? These Are Our Favorites

You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good notebook.

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The 8 Best Books About Artificial Intelligence to Read Now

Algorithms have crept into our feeds, streets, and workplaces. Here’s what WIRED staff are reading to understand what that means for the future.

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The New Surface Pro X Has Improved—a Bit

Microsoft has updated its ARM-powered portable, giving it a faster chip and a new keyboard. It still struggles to compete.

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22 Gift Ideas for People Working From Home

Upgrade your loved one’s home office with these picks that make every day a little easier—and a little more fun.

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The Longing Is a Video Game of Transcendent Slowness

Set in a virtual cave, this Tamagotchi-like waiting simulator is a riff on a German folktale that captures 2020’s sad and surreal lockdown energy.

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All the Stuff Humans Make Now Outweighs Earth’s Organisms

Anthropogenic mass—concrete, metal, and other human creations—has grown to be heavier than plants, animals, and microbes combined. Planet Earth is not happy.

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The Race to Get a PlayStation 5 Is the Year’s Best Game

This is what a holiday-shopping craze looks like when everyone’s in lockdown.

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The ‘Healthy Building’ Surge Will Outlast the Pandemic

Because of Covid-19, developers are realizing that incorporating health concerns in a building's design isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.

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The 7th Jackbox Party Pack Is the First Perfect Pack

It took a couple swings (most of them good, some of them okay at best) but the most recent release is a crowd-pleaser.

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The Steampunk Rover Concept That Could Help Explore Venus

50 years after the first spacecraft touched down on our super hot neighbor (and promptly died), NASA has a plan for a tougher mechanical lander.

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The Zodiac Killer's Cipher Is Finally Cracked After 51 Years

Amateur and professional cryptographers, including those at the FBI, had been trying to decode the infamous serial killer's message to the media for decades.

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Why Do Many Self-Driving Cars Look Like Toasters on Wheels?

Without any need for steering wheels or pedals, the cubes give passengers room to maneuver inside. The latest entrant, from Zoox, can hold 4.

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