Ada Palmer and the Weird Hand of Progress

The sci-fi author writes about the 25th century and teaches college students about the 15th. The past we think we know is wrong, she says—and so is the future.

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7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Elgato Stream Deck

This LCD control panel is a popular tool for streamers, but you can use it to get real work done.

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Public Blockchains Are the New National Economies of the Metaverse

The “fiscal” and “monetary” policy tools of smart contract blockchain platforms may work even better than the economic policy tools of governments.

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You're (Maybe) Gonna Need a Patent for That Woolly Mammoth

Scientists are racing to bring extinct species back from the dead. But does a resurrected mammoth belong to nature, or us?

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Can Super-Fast Battery Charging Fix the Electric Car?

The dominant trend in EV batteries is that bigger is better. Maybe with speedier charging, automakers could do more with less.

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Women in Tech Have Been Pulling a 'Second Shift' for Decades

In the 1960s, some women programmers worked from home while fulfilling household chores. Decades later, women are still being asked to work more for less.

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Myanmar’s Fight for Democracy Is Now a Scrap Over Phone Records

Norwegian Telecoms giant Telenor wants to leave Myanmar. Activists say its exit risks putting their data— and their freedom—at risk.

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Cryptocurrency Is Funding Ukraine's Defense—and Its Hacktivists

As Russia continues to amass troops at the border, resistance groups have seen a surge in crypto donations.

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They Lived in a Pandemic Bubble. Now Covid Has Arrived

Some remote Pacific island nations haven't had a single case of Covid-19 for the past two years. Now they're reopening to the world, but can they handle an outbreak?

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How Did the Bored Ape Yacht Club Get So Popular?

It has nothing to do with art. It’s a gimmick, plain and simple.

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The Best Music Streaming Apps to Get Your Groove On

If you live your life to your own soundtrack, then check out our favorite music apps for sharing playlists with friends, discovering new artists, and more.

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How Telegram Became the Anti-Facebook

Hundreds of millions of users. No algorithm. No ads. Courage in the face of autocracy. Sound like a dream? Careful what you wish for.

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The Best Turntables for Your Vinyl Collection

Streaming music giving you the blues? These entry-level turntables will help you rock on to analog audio at home.

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Astronomers Want to Save Dark Skies from Satellite Swarms

The International Astronomical Union launched a new organization tasked with limiting reflected light and radio interference from big satellite networks.

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Do Good Doorbell Cams Make Good Neighbors?

WIRED’s spiritual advice columnist on Amazon’s Ring systems and the impulse to become a citizen detective.

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A New Trick Lets Artificial Intelligence See in 3D

Some algorithms can now compose a 3D scene from 2D images—creating possibilities in video games, robotics, and autonomous driving.

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6 Apps That Take the Grind out of Your Workday

Stay focused, automate what you can, and let your phone handle the hard stuff.

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The Brutal Reason Some Primates Are Born a Weird Color

When species have babies with conspicuous fur, it can attract good attention—or bad. A new theory could explain why.

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10 Great UK Deals on TVs, Laptops, and Gaming Gear

The finest UK discounts this week, from reasonably priced TVs to extra PS5 storage and handy wireless earbuds.

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These Custom Keyboard Shortcuts Autofill Words and Phrases

Give your fingers a break and let your word processor do more of the work.

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How to Set Up a Greenscreen on a Budget

It doesn’t take much more than some fabric and a few lights to transport yourself anywhere on camera.

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How the Physics of Resonance Shapes Reality

The same phenomenon by which an opera singer can shatter a wineglass also underlies the very existence of subatomic particles.

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Enjoy Valentine's Day With Meal Kits, Murder Mysteries, and More

Skip the bouquets and spend quality time with your love this year—even if it's just in the metaverse.

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Health Sites Let Ads Track Visitors Without Telling Them

Privacy policies didn't tell the whole story about third-party tools gathering personal information from the sites of medical and genetic-testing companies.

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In 2008, Beijing Felt Like an Open Door. In 2022, It's Closed

We thought continued opening was inevitable and the internet would flatten the world. We couldn’t have been more wrong.

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Tips and Tools to Help You Stick to Your Goals

It happens to all of us: We set a big ambition or a New Year's resolution, and then it just ... fizzles out. Don't give up yet.

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Just Got a Meta Quest 2? These Are Our Favorite Games

Dipping your toes into virtual reality? From shooters to woodsy adventures, these are our favorites to play by yourself or with friends.

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Can ‘Green’ Ammonia Be a Climate Fix?

Researchers believe that if the chemical is made with renewable energy, it could be used as a clean source for fertilizer, fuel, and heat.

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Google Calendar's ‘Appointment Schedule’ Is Good, Not Great

Google has a new feature that makes it easy to find a time to meet with someone. Here's how it stacks up to Calendly.

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The 16 Best Deals on Sex Tech Before Valentines Day

With the holiday fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to start setting a sexy mood.

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Cooking in a Tiny Kitchen? This Gear Will Help You Stay Sane

These are the best WIRED-tested creative, affordable gear solutions to make your pin-sized counter prep space work for you.

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After 3 Hours of Joe Rogan, I Have Thoughts

Plus: Neil Young’s Archives, signs of a collapsing economy, and a rude awakening for Facebook.

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‘That’s Not My Name,’ Celebrities, and When a Meme Is Over

Some viral trends deserve to be preserved even after they've been overrun by massive stars.

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Should You Ditch Spotify Too?

This week, we decide whether to switch music streaming services, and we offer some tips for those choosing to get their groove on elsewhere.

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A New Database Reveals How Much Humans Are Messing With Evolution

Some animals and plants are rapidly adapting to our warming, polluted world. How alarming that is depends on your perspective.

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Kids Suffer Climate Anxiety, Too. Adults Can Help

The point is to give youngsters tools to channel their feelings into something more constructive, like taking action in their own communities.

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Despite Diplomatic Boycott, the US Is Powering the 2022 Olympics

The White House banned diplomats from attending the Beijing games, saying it wasn't “business as usual.” In the private sector, it is.

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Battery-Powered Trains Are Picking Up Speed

Electric locomotives could cut emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants that harm people living near rail yards.

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The Best Smart Bulbs to Light Up Your Room

They're the easiest way to start building a smarter home. From Nooie and Ikea bulbs to Phillips Hue and ambient lighting kits, here are our favorites.

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New to YouTube Music? Here’s What You Need to Start

Are you considering the switch to YouTube Music? We've got everything from plans to playlists.

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Germany Has Picked a Fight With Telegram

The country’s new government is struggling to assert its authority over the messaging app, which officials believe has been used to organize violent incidents.

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The 4-Day Week Is Flawed. Workers Still Want It

Workers say the shortened workweek is a success, but the reality is more complicated.

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A Fight Over the Right to Repair Cars Turns Ugly

In the wake of a voter-approved law, Subaru and Kia dealers in Massachusetts have disabled systems that allow remote starts and send maintenance alerts.

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10 Great Deals on Outdoor Apparel to Keep You Warm

If you're shivering and shaking outside this winter, there's still time to score a discount on insulated jackets and warm base layers.

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They Were 'Calling to Help.' Then They Stole Thousands

When my mom fell victim to a phone scam, we learned a painful truth: The explosion of personal finance apps makes it all too easy to target vulnerable people.

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Could Crispr Flip the Switch on Insecticide Resistance?

Many insects, like the mosquitoes that spread malaria, have evolved a tolerance to chemical sprays. What if we could reboot their genes?

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Pokémon Legends: Arceus Isn’t Great. It Doesn’t Matter

Game Freak once again gets away with not nailing an open-world Pokémon game. And we are powerless to stop it happening again and again.

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Thousands of Planes Are Flying Empty and No One Can Stop Them

A pre-pandemic policy on airport usage is pressuring airlines to keep "ghost flights" in the air. The climate impact is massive.

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6 of the Best Travel Watches Around Right Now

Whether you call them GMTs or worldtimers, these watches will be back on active duty in 2022.

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American Spy Agencies Are Struggling in the Age of Data

Massive amounts of data are revolutionizing the work of intelligence—and not necessarily in a good way.

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The Omicron Variant Has New Versions Already. What Comes Next?

Viruses keep evolving until they run out of hosts to infect. Worldwide, billions remain unvaccinated against Covid—which means Omicron isn’t the end.

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Out-of-Control Cybercrime Will Cause More Real-World Harm

Ransomware and online attacks can cause deadly real-world harm. Governments need to raise their game in response.

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Apps and Gadgets to Help You Cope With Tinnitus

If you suffer from ringing in your ears, tech can provide some relief.

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The Best Running Gear for Your Long and Chilly Winter

Your gym might be closed, but the roads and parks are calling. Our favorite cold-weather picks will have you running in no time.

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The Unnerving Rise of Video Games that Spy on You

Players generate a wealth of revealing psychological data—and some companies are soaking it up.

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What It’ll Take to Get Electric Planes off the Ground

The lithium-ion battery is good for moving cars short distances, but aviation requires longer-lasting power. Maybe we need to try other elements.

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Can a Digital Ski Coach Refine Your Runs? Amazingly, Yes

We tested a sensor-packed ski boot insole to see if it really could perfect our parallel turns.

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Inside Trickbot, Russia’s Notorious Ransomware Gang

Internal messages WIRED has viewed shed new light on the operators of one of the world's biggest botnets.

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Here Come the Underdogs of the Robot Olympics

Can a scrappy team of robotics undergrads play to win against the best-funded labs in the world? At the Darpa Challenge, it’s anyone’s game.

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What Is Wi-Fi 6E and Do I Need It?

There are many ways to make your internet faster, but the specifics depend on what you’re willing to spend right now.

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Hiking 101: Everything You Need to Head for the Hills

From the hat on your head to the shoes on your feet, we've got you covered with everything you need to stay warm and safe on your next adventure.

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Multiplayer Families Deserve Better Gaming Plans

Trying to share game subscriptions with my spouse and kids is a headache. It doesn't have to be like this.

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Maybe Green Energy Needs ‘Information Batteries' Too

Researchers are exploring whether tech giants can precompute certain data when the grid is humming with solar or wind power, then stash it away for later use.

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How to (Ethically) Get Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff

With so many extensive online selling and donation resources, there's no need to get bogged down.

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How to Deal With Rocket Boosters and Other Giant Space Garbage

As an errant SpaceX rocket booster careens toward the moon, here are some of the ways space agencies and companies are trying to deal with huge pieces of debris.

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Big Tech Needs to Stop Trying to Make Their Metaverse Happen

From Microsoft to Meta, the race is on to sell an amorphous concept that no one really wants them to build.

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A DDoS Attack Wiped Out Andorra's Internet

Plus: Securing US water systems, the FBI's NSO Group dealings, and more of the week's top security news.

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Buy a PlayStation 4 If You Want. Seriously, It's Fine

PSA: You don't need to join the wild goose chase for the PS5. The previous model will serve you just fine.

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If You Know These Keyboard Shortcuts, You Won't Need a Mouse

If you know the right tricks, you don't need to lift your fingers up from the keys.

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What's the Deal With Anti-Cheat Software in Online Games?

Cheat deterrents like kernel drivers are raising legitimate privacy concerns. But it's not all bad news.

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These Workout Headphones Let You Crank Up Your Tunes Safely

Finally, a pair of bone-conduction headphones we're eager to wear.

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Mathematicians Outwit a Hidden Number ‘Conspiracy’

Decades ago, a mathematician posed a warmup problem for difficult questions about prime numbers. It turned out to be just as difficult to solve—until now.

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The Internet Gave Rise to 'Cancel Culture OCD'

Leftist must grapple with their own digitized purity culture. Catholic saints and OCD sufferers can help.

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How to Navigate International Travel Now—and in the Near Future

Covid-19 isn't going away anytime soon. If you must go overseas, here's how to stay safe and avoid a logistical nightmare.

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Kombucha Cultures Could Be the Key to Better Water Filters

A study found that filtration membranes formed from SCOBYs are more effective at preventing bacterial growth than commercial equivalents.

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These Are the 9 Android Phones Worth Buying

Shopping for a new phone can be an ordeal. Let us take some of the pain out of it with these picks and tips.

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What It's Like to Give Up Air Travel to Curb Climate Change

These three families gave up flying to reduce their emissions. Here's how it's shaping their relationship to people and places.

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Inside the International Effort to Save One Tiny Mexican Fish

Scientists and schoolchildren worked together to bring the tequila fish back from extinction in the wild.

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16 Great Deals on TVs, Apple Headphones, Soundbars, and More

Whether you're planning a Super Bowl party or hunkering down in the cold, now's a great time to buy home entertainment products.

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It's Not Just the IRS—the US Government Wants Your Selfies

A controversial new program that uses facial recognition is part of a national effort to verify identities and reduce fraud.

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Samsung's Galaxy S21 FE Is Great. Just Don't Pay Full Price

This top-end Android smartphone brings many of the best features from last year's flagship, but is it too late?

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How to Build a Better Metaverse

Second Life creator Philip Rosedale wants to prevent the Facebook-ization of virtual reality.

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How to Watch the 2022 Winter Olympics

Whether you’re into snowboarding or curling, here’s how to follow the big events in Beijing.

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The Capitalist Trap of Pig Organ Transplants

The “miracle” pig heart transplant plays with the expectations of desperate patients and makes clear how the system values certain lives over others.

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Did Eating Meat Really Make Us Human?

For decades, scientists thought that being more carnivorous set our ancestors along their evolutionary path. New evidence casts doubt on this theory.

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Synthetic Voices Want to Take Over Audiobooks

As computer-generated voices become more sophisticated, the number of audiobooks—including from Amazon, Microsoft, and Google—is set to explode.

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Latino Founders Have a Hard Time Raising Money From VCs

Despite diversity pledges, funding to Latino-founded startups in the US still lags—accounting for only 2 percent of venture investments last year.

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18 Face Masks We Actually Like to Wear

Our tips and picks to up your mask game—whether you’re heading back to the office or just want to stay safe and stylish.

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Some of Our Favorite Camera and Photo Gear Is on Sale Now

Looking to upgrade your photography setup? We’ve got deals on top mirrorless cameras, tripods, and other accessories.

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My Family Is Trapped in the Metaverse

Virtual reality isn’t great, but it’s a lot better than dealing with everything else out there.

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The Role of Tau in Dementia

Understanding the protein’s role in the cell shows what's happening in neurodegenerative diseases before symptoms emerge.

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How to Get a Covid-19 Booster Shot

Here's everything you need to know about finding and receiving the booster shot in the age of Omicron.

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Gibraltar Could Launch the World’s First Crypto Stock Exchange

“The Rock” hopes a new stock exchange will attract crypto millionaires who want to avoid hefty taxes.

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Optimizing Machines Is Perilous. Consider ‘Creatively Adequate’ AI.

The future of artificial intelligence needs less data and can tolerate ambiguity.

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13 Face Masks Your Kids May Actually Wear

Your child still needs to cover up for school and group play. These are the styles my little ones will tolerate.

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Why Some Animals Can Tell More From Less

Researchers find that densely packed neurons play an outsize role in quantitative skill—calling into question old assumptions about evolution.

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The EU Has a Plan to Fix Internet Privacy: Be More Like Apple

Lawmakers want all websites to use a similar “Ask App Not to Track” function, but Apple's system might not be as clear-cut as once believed.

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The Best Controllers for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Feeling cooped up at home? Take to the skies—virtually—and immerse yourself more fully with these HOTAS controllers.

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NASA’s Newest Spinoff Tech Comes Back to Earth

While the space agency didn't actually develop Tang, its R&D includes everything from robot gloves to vertical farming—with commercial benefits back home.

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An Unsung Hero of Gaming History Deserves a Higher Profile

Jerry Lawson, the inventor of the game cartridge, isn't quite a household name. A podcast aims to shed some light on his life and accomplishments.

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