Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Tabletop RPGs

Shannon Appelcline's Designers and Dragons books offer a detailed look at the history of tabletop roleplaying games.

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Richard Branson Reaches Space on Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity

The historic flight is only the second time that the rocket plane has carried people.

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Can People Still Play the Same Games as They Get Older?

Action genre veterans may struggle with the pace and complexity of modern games, but they have no intention of hanging up their controllers.

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How Lego Perfected the Recycled Plastic Brick

After 72 years and billions of interlocking polymer toy bricks, the company finally has an eco-friendly alternative.

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Biden Wants the FCC to Fix Net Neutrality—but It Can't Yet

The FCC won't be able to do most of the things the president encouraged in his executive order until he nominates a fifth commissioner.

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Mathematicians Prove Symmetry of Phase Transitions

At critical moments, rotational invariance is a universal property across many physical systems.

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A New Tool Shows How Google Results Vary Around the World

Search Atlas displays three sets of links—or images—from different countries for any search.

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How to Smarten Up Your Home With Alexa Routines

Use simple commands to have Amazon's voice assistant trigger actions like dimming the bedroom lights or reading the headlines.

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How to Make Your Web Searches More Secure and Private

What you look for online is up to you—just make sure no one else is taking a peek.

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A New System Is Helping Crack Down on Child Sex Abuse Images

There are 150 child sexual abuse laws around the world. Now, metadata is making it easier for countries to work together.

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The Latest Pro-Trump Twitter Clone Leaks User Data on Day 1

Plus: A failed takedown in Russia, details on an FBI-sting encrypted phone, and more of the week's top security news.

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Iconic Yellowstone Park Faces Startling Climate Threats

A new report details global warming’s effect on the national park and its surroundings, including everything from its forests to the Old Faithful geyser.

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Samsung's Galaxy A32 5G Raises the Bar for Sub-$300 Phones

From two-day battery life to reliable cameras, this Android smartphone is the renaissance gadget in a world of cheap phones.

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Why Do Gamers Love Speedrunning So Much Anyway?

Between marathons on Twitch and the annual Games Done Quick event, watching people rush to complete games in minutes rather than hours is a compelling pastime.

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How to Take a Post-Pandemic Road Trip

Not ready for an all-out island vacation just yet? Hit the road instead.

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The 14 Best Weekend Deals on Headphones, Cameras, and More

It's hot outside. Cool off indoors and pass the time with these discounted Switch games, wireless earbuds, and more.

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China's Nationalistic ‘Wolf Warriors’ Blast Foes on Twitter

Diplomats hurl insults and mock enemies in screeds that often appear aimed at a domestic audience, even though the social media service is blocked in China.

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An Office Phone Flaw Can’t Be Fixed By Cisco Alone

The company released a patch this week but security researchers say the root of the problem is beyond its control—and symptomatic of a larger issue.

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The Olympics Bars Fans, Pfizer Eyes Boosters, and More News

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

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It's OK to Feel Sorry for TIE Fighter Pilots

They’re treated as cannon fodder. “Amara Kel’s Rules for TIE Fighter Pilot Survival (Probably)” gives them a different life.

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Joe Biden Wants You to Be Able to Fix Your Own Damn iPhones

A sweeping new presidential directive includes, among other things, an initiative to secure consumers’ right to repair their own devices.

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Black Widow Is Right on Time—and Too Late

Yes, Covid-19 delayed the film, but the movie should have come out years ago.

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Everything You Need to Make Beer, Wine, Cider, and Mead

Indoor plants and sewing projects don’t taste as good. Here’s what you need to make booze at home.

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Europe Makes the Case to Ban Biometric Surveillance

Companies are racing to track everything about you. It could be a convenient way to reduce fraud—or seriously creepy and discriminatory.

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5 Years After Pokémon Go, It's Time for the Metaverse

Plus: The biggest idea of 2016, the ethics of synthetic data, and a blaze on the Gulf of Mexico.

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Why Scientists Love Making Robots Build Ikea Furniture

This robot can help a human assemble a bookcase by predicting what part they’ll want next and handing it over.

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So, You Want to Try an Ebike? Here’s What to Know

This week we discuss the proliferation of ebikes in bike-share networks, as well as the explosive growth of private ebike ownership.

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Need to Fit Billions of Transistors on a Chip? Let AI Do It

Google, Nvidia, and others are training algorithms in the dark arts of designing semiconductors—some of which will be used to run artificial intelligence programs.

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These Are the Best Portable External Storage Drives

Need an ultra-fast drive for video editing or a rugged option to back up your photos in the field? We’ve got a solution for every situation.

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Zeus Network’s Niche as a Streaming Service? Raw Drama

B-list reality stars. Sex workers. A shirtless cooking show. Programming on the renegade platform finds comfort among the uncomfortable.

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Microsoft Keeps Failing to Patch a Critical Windows Bug

For the second time in a month, the company issued an update that doesn't fully address a severe security vulnerability in Windows.

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The Unfixed Flaw at the Heart of REvil’s Ransomware Spree

Security researchers warned Kaseya about its IT management software in April, but the patches didn't come fast enough to avert last week's disaster.

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Mesh Wi-Fi for $20? Vilo's New Router Is Surprisingly Great

With the three-pack, you can get internet connectivity in every corner of your home at a startlingly low price.

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Our Favorite Air Purifier for Large Rooms Is on Sale

The Coway Airmega 400 is a WIRED-tested top pick, and it’s ideal for bigger spaces. It hasn't dipped this low since the start of 2020.

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Access to Birth Control Lets More Girls Finish High School

A new study finds that making contraceptives and reproductive care accessible through a state-funded program in Colorado reduced the dropout rate for young women.

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QAnon Pivots Its Exiled Online Movement to the Real World

The conspiracists might have been deplatformed, but their movement is shifting into local elections and events.

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Give Me More Romance Options in Video Games

Show me DLC and I will pay good money to spend, uh, quality time with characters.

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Our 10 Favorite PlayStation 4 Accessories

Stretching a few more years out of your PS4 console? Try some of these lovely extras.

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Inmates, Doctors, and the Battle Over Trans Medical Care

Prisoners are suing for their right to hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgery—if deemed necessary. Meet the psychiatrist who almost always says it's not.

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Boston Dynamics, BTS, and Ballet: The Next Act for Robotics

The company’s latest video, “Spot’s on It,” signals its deepening, complexifying relationship with dance.

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Amazon’s Hollywood Ambitions Are Very Old-School

Amidst a wave of media consolidation, the retail giant’s moves feel like they come from an old playbook.

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Mystery Solved: How Plant Cells Know When to Stop Growing

The discovery could have a profound effect on cell research for many species of plants and animals, as well as the future of crops.

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The Best Running Gear for Hot Summer Days

Last month saw some record-breaking temperatures. If you’re going for a run, be sure to wear the right clothes and stay hydrated.

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Global Democracies Need to Align to Fight Disinformation

Before authoritarians pollute the 2022 midterms, the US and EU must build a blueprint for democratic internet governance.

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This E-Scooter Strikes a Balance Between Price and Comfort

Yadea's electric KS5 Pro has quite a few quirks, but it offers up a decently comfortable ride, enough speed, and average range to make up for it.

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The Futuristic Stink of Amazon’s Science Fiction

For years, the megacorporation has churned out sci-fi—Electric Dreams, Upload, Solos—that ranges from obnoxious to just plain noxious.

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A Massive Water Recycling Proposal Could Help Ease Drought

Members of Congress from Western states are pushing for $750 million to turn wastewater into pure water. Here’s how that works.

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The Pentagon Scrubs a Cloud Deal and Looks to Add More AI

The JEDI program had become a legal and political morass. Microsoft won the $10 billion contract, but Amazon and Oracle sued to block the deal.

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The New Nintendo OLED Switch Is a Small But Punchy Upgrade

The display is a little bigger, and the storage is double, but the console still lacks the 4K output players have clamored for.

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Vizio’s New System Brings Theater Sound to the Living Room

With dedicated rear drivers and a wireless subwoofer, the $500 Atmos system provides theater-like listening on the cheap.

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Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Ups the Ante on Accessibility

Insomniac Games’ new banner title shows what developers can do to make games more inclusive.

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Clubhouse Aimed to Foster Diversity. Is it Working?

Here’s what you need to know before joining the social audio platform, especially if you’re a person of color.

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This AI Helps Police Track Social Media. Does It Go Too Far?

Law enforcement officials say the tool can help them combat misinformation. Civil liberties advocates say it can be used for mass surveillance.

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Why the Password Isn't Dead Quite Yet

Everyone hates the old ways of authentication. But while change is closer than ever, it comes with its own drawbacks.

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Covid Protections Kept Other Viruses at Bay. Now They’re Back

When we masked and stayed home, we were shielded from winter viruses. As we get back to normal, some will resurge—and our immune systems may not be prepared.

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Netflix Is Losing Its Cool

Even as it dominates globally, the streaming giant no longer shines. HBO Max and Disney+, your move.

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Introducing the 2021 WIRED Resiliency Residents

Over the next six months, five professionals from outside of journalism will give WIRED readers an inside perspective on their changing fields.

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When the Next Animal Plague Hits, Can This Lab Stop It?

A new federal facility in Kansas will house the deadliest agricultural pathogens in the world—and researchers working tirelessly to contain them.

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Amazon Echo Dots Store a Wealth of Data—Even After a Reset

Thinking about selling your smart speaker? Be aware that you can't completely delete personal content from the device.

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Mendel's Quest, aka Angry Jew, Helped Me Embrace My Heritage

Growing up Jewish was a challenge, but who knew an over-the-top game like this one would help me come to terms with who I am, and what my own culture meant to me.

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This Lamp Is 3D-Printed From Orange Peels

And yes, the Ohmie is completely compostable.

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The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones to Escape Reality

These over-ears and earbuds will add some serenity to your day.

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The Pandemic Changed Sleep Habits. Maybe That’s a Good Thing

A growing body of research shows that to optimize health and productivity, workers should adjust their workdays to their sleep schedules.

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How REvil Ransomware Took Out Thousands of Business at Once

More details have come to light as to how the notorious hacking group pulled off its unprecedented attack.

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Mathematicians Prove a 2D Version of Quantum Gravity Works

In three towering papers, a team of mathematicians has worked out the details of Liouville quantum field theory, forging a bridge between math and physics.

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How to Work Out More—Using Your Phone's Default Apps

You don't need a new wearable to get moving or meet your health goals. Turn to the smartphone you already have.

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How to Travel Safely During Your Pandemic Summer

Whether you want to fly internationally or cross state lines by car or train, here’s what you should know.

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Returnal and Why Games Need More Badass Middle-Aged Women

Women in video games are either young and sexy or old and wise. But a character who’s built up the strength and confidence of experience? Sign me up.

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Do Not Stare Into the Crypto Orb

A PrintNightmare exploit, a VPN takedown, and more of the week's top security news.

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The Quest to Tally Alaska’s Wild ‘Warm-Blooded’ Bumblebees

Extreme environments offer them an unexpected paradise. Now researchers and conservationists want to get a head count.

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The 39 Best Fourth of July Deals on Home and Outdoor Goods

Celebrate Independence Day by saving on grilling accessories, tablets, phones, espresso machines, hair tools, and of course, mattresses.

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A Global Smart-City Competition Highlights China’s Rise in AI

Chinese entrants swept all five categories, featuring technologies to improve civic life. But the advances could also be tools for surveillance.

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I Tried 5 Sleep Gadgets for My Nagging Insomnia

From a co-sleeping robot bean to a brain-sensing headband, I searched high and low for a solution to my nightmare.

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The Case for Orc Wizards—and Why You Should Play RPGs 'Wrong'

Breaking the conventions of tabletop roleplaying is great for everyone.

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A New Kind of Ransomware Tsunami Hits Hundreds of Companies

An apparent supply chain attack exploited Kaseya's IT management software to encrypt a "monumental" number of victims all at once.

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The Delta Variant's Rise, New Vaccine Tactics, and More News

Catch up on the most important updates from this week.

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The Best Sci-Fi Comedy Is Existential

Though you might expect Tom Gerencer’s stories to be light-hearted, they contain a dark streak of angst.

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You’ll Be Shocked by What’s in My Twitter Feed

Plus: The Twitternomics of promoted posts, Google’s updated code of conduct, and North America’s changing climate.

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Which Crops Can Survive Drought? Nanosensors May Offer Clues

The technique can be used to track how water flows through plants—which could be key to breeding more resilient crops in an increasingly hot, dry climate.

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Florida’s Condo Collapse Foreshadows the Concrete Crack-Up

Overreliance on the world’s favorite building material will lead to more crumbling towers, dams, bridges, and roads. And way more greenhouse gases.

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What If Regulating Facebook Fails?

It seems increasingly likely that antitrust and content moderation tools aren’t up to the task. Here’s what we do next.

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How to Take Awesome Photos of Fireworks With Your Phone

Use these battle-tested tips and camera settings to capture dramatic shots of those aerial explosions.

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The Games Done Quick Marathon Is More Important Than Ever

For years, GDQ has brought together gamers to speedrun for charity. After a year of loss and loneliness, the event means so much more.

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Do These Gadgets Actually Protect You? We Asked the Experts

From cell phone radiation and RFID blockers to UVC sanitizers, we investigated whether popular products are truly keeping you safe—or just scaremongering.

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The Miami Tower Collapse and Humanity's Fight for the Future

From the fallen Champlain Tower to climate change, humans haven’t yet learned to avoid catastrophes they know are coming.

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Six-Word Sci-Fi: Stories Written By You

Here's this month's prompt, how to submit, and an illustrated archive of past favorites.

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Fancy Bear Is Trying to Brute-Force Hundreds of Networks

While SolarWinds rightly drew attention earlier this year, Moscow's Fancy Bear group has been on a password-guessing spree this whole time.

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Help! How Do I Accept That I’m Burned Out?

In her final column, Megan lays down some hard truths about work exhaustion.

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How Fringe Stem Cell Treatments Won Allies on the Far Right

Advocates for dubious therapies (fight Covid with your own fat!) have latched on to conservative grievances—and formed an unholy alliance.

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Reagan-Era Gen X Dogma Has No Place in Silicon Valley

The Gen X investors and CEOs who run the industry are stuck on the idea that private money will protect them from a promised hellscape.

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Biologists Mask Up to Protect Bats (Yes, Bats) From Covid-19

New federal guidelines ask scientists to wear protective gear to keep the virus from jumping back into animal species.

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Ooni's Latest Oven Makes Wood-Fired Pizza as Easy as Pie

The practically perfect Karu 16 inspires summer pizza madness in anyone who sees it.

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Windows 11's Security Push Leaves Scores of PCs Behind

The minimum hardware requirements for Microsoft’s next operating system will leave plenty of PCs stranded.

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The Gear and Tips You Need to Make Studio-Grade Home Videos

We tested microphones, tripods, lights, teleprompters, and other tools for more than a year. These are our favorites.

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What You Need to Edit Sizzling Special Effects on Your PC

Want to make the next Avatar at home? Here are some tips on how to beef up your personal F/X rig.

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Oregon’s Buckled Roads and Melted Cables Are Warning Signs

Highways and rail lines in the Pacific Northwest were built for a cooler climate. But the heat wave proved that extreme weather is becoming more common.

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What Tim Berners-Lee's $5M NFT Sale Means for Web History

The author of the code that built the WWW will donate the proceeds to charity. But the auction raises questions about the transformative impact of non-fungible tokens.

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Crucial Tech Like Email Is Still Failing Trans Employees

If companies truly want to support their LGBTQ+ colleagues, they'd make inclusivity the default setting.

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El Salvador’s Race to Be the Bitcoin Capital of the World

After China’s crackdown, the cryptocurrency crowd is looking for a new haven. The Central American nation thinks it’s the answer.

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Perk Up With the Best Latte and Cappuccino Makers

Tired of plain espresso and pour-over? Add some milk to your mornings with one of these barista-worthy makers.

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