Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick steps down from board

Ride-hailing firm's co-founder steps down from its board saying he wants to focus on other pursuits.

9 Extremely Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Procrastinators

If your Christmas tree is missing a present, these gifts—and excuses—will keep you on the nice list.

Fund manager defends backing blacklisted Chinese surveillance firm

Fidelity International owns a stake in Hikvision, which is accused of contributing to human rights abuses.

Best Kids Travel Gear: Strollers, Flasks, Toys, and More

Traveling with babies, toddlers, or young children is no picnic. These accessories should help.

Is Your Health Data at Risk?

We've recently seen much breathless news coverage of the Nightingale Project, Google's half-secret partnership with Ascension, the second-largest healthcare system in the United States. The details of the project -- which involves sharing the healthcare data of tens of millions of unsuspecting patients -- have raised significant concerns. The concerns have centered around issues that by now are familiar: Many people are uncomfortable with Google knowing about their personal, sensitive and potentially embarrassing health complaints.

Amazon Device Christmas Sale (2019): Fire Tablets, Kindles, Echos

Hunting for gifts? Fear not, there are still plenty of deals to be found. Some of Amazon's most popular products are on sale.

Why India shuts down the internet more than any other democracy

India shut down the internet 93 times this year, and a blackout in Kashmir is the world's longest.

People with epilepsy targeted in Twitter attack

Trolls posted strobing Gifs and videos on Twitter with the Epilepsy Foundation's handle and hashtag.

The Human Problems Underlying Intel's Diversity Report

When Intel released its diversity report last week, it got pounded for the lack of diversity in its executive staff. Intel is one of the few companies being transparent about diversity. Given that lack of diversity is the problem we want to solve, the bashing is stupid. It is only going to make it harder to address the problem. In effect, Intel did the right thing and was punished for it. It strikes me that taking positive steps to make progress is a more prudent approach than beating up companies that are doing the right thing.

The 6 Best TVs to Buy for Every Budget (2019)

The best, boldest, and most budget-friendly 4K and 8K TVs WIRED has seen, including LG, Samsung, Vizio, and TCL.

The Best Sales on Xbox, PS4, and Switch for Christmas 2019 (Consoles and Games)

Every major console and critically acclaimed games are on sale at multiple retailers for the holidays.

China's Tech Ban Could Have Grave Long-Term Consequences

China has issued an order that all foreign-made computer equipment and software be removed from government offices and public institutions within the next three years. China has estimated that upwards of 30 million pieces of hardware will need to be replaced. This is just the latest salvo in the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China. It began last year when President Trump began to set tariffs and other trade barriers on China. The goal of the White House's policy was to address what the president has called "unfair trade practices."

Here’s How to Survive Sitting in the Bleachers This Winter

Our favorite gear to fend off the cold if you're braving the elements to see a football game this season—socks, gloves, hand warmers, and more.

Facebook Won't Let US, UK, Australia Get Toe in Backdoor

Facebook has rejected a request from the U.S., the UK and Australia for a "backdoor" in its encrypted messenger apps to help law enforcement agencies combat crime and terrorism. "Cybersecurity experts have repeatedly proven that when you weaken any part of an encrypted system, you weaken it for everyone, everywhere," WhatsApp head Will Cathcart and Facebook Messenger head Stan Chudnovsky wrote in a letter to officials. "The 'backdoor' access you are demanding for law enforcement would be a gift to criminals, hackers and repressive regimes..."

New 'DNA of Things' Method Stores Digital Memory in Common Objects

Researchers at Swedish university ETH Zurichat have unveiled a method for mixing genetically encoded digital data into common manufacturing materials. They carried out the project in collaboration with an Israeli scientist. The team succeeded in embedding artificial DNA in a small plastic 3D-printed plastic bunny, which would allow self-replication, according to a report published in Nature Biotechnology. The name of the new process -- "DNA of Things," or "DoT" -- alludes to the Internet of Things, or IoT.

Why the ‘Queen of Shitty Robots’ Renounced Her Crown

YouTuber Simone Giertz gave up wildly popular but barely functioning machines and confronted her fears of imperfection (while facing her own mortality and making an awesome Truckla EV).

14 Great Gifts for Mom (2019): Gift Ideas for the Mother in Your Life

Mothers come in all types, but these are our favorite picks for the WIRED mom in your life.

Your Smart TV Could Give Hackers a Window on Your World

Cybercriminals have discovered ways to compromise smart TVs, including hacking them, the Portland office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently warned. Smart TV owners should do their due diligence to secure the devices, the bureau urged. Smart TVs are just as accessible to unauthorized parties as computers or other Internet-connected devices. Because many TVs now feature microphones and cameras, predators could commit serious privacy intrusions, such as cyberstalking users in their own homes, the FBI pointed out.

Leica SL2 Review: Wonderful (If You Can Afford It)

The iconic company's take on the big, powerful, DSLR-style camera delivers beautifully sharp, detailed images while offering surprisingly powerful video capabilities.

The 9 Best Soundbars for Every Budget (2019)

We've listened to a ton of soundbars and these are the best sounding systems from Vizio, Sonos, Yamaha, and more.

Twitter Sets Up Privacy Center but Moves to Skirt GDPR

Twitter has launched a new Privacy Center to give users more clarity on what it does to protect the information people share. The center will host everything relevant to Twitter's privacy and data protection work, including initiatives, announcements, new privacy products and communication about security incidents. Twitter also announced the relocation of accounts of users outside the U.S. and EU from its international base in Dublin to San Francisco, where they won't be covered by the EU's tough new data privacy law.

Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin step back from top roles

Larry Page and Sergey Brin are stepping back from the day-to-day running of Google's parent company.

Tapping AI for a Future of Better, Faster, Cheaper Gift Shopping

If you are like me, every Christmas you dread shopping because figuring out what everyone wants is a bit of a nightmare. You don't know what folks want in your price range. If you find out, there is no easy way to be sure they haven't bought it themselves, or that someone else didn't get it for them. Choosing sizes and colors adds to the nightmare. These problems aren't limited to Christmas, as the same gift-selection issues exist for other occasions. Maintaining multiple gift lists and keeping them current is just not something we do well.

Meng Wanzhou: Oil paintings and books for Huawei executive fighting extradition

Meng Wanzhou is fighting extradition to the US on charges of violating sanctions against Iran.

30 Best Outdoor and Fitness Deals

From Patagonia outerwear to the Fitbit Versa Lite, we've got Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to keep you moving, outside, and happy.

A Glimpse of Our Wireless Future

Last week I attended a Qualcomm event that took me through the coming wave of both 5G and WiFi 6 products, touched on the millimeter wave, and at least spoke to 6G. From this I think I can begin to picture the world as it will exist by the middle of the next decade, and it is kind of fascinating. Qualcomm has spent nearly $50B -- yes billion -- advancing its wireless initiatives. Its current leading efforts are 5G, WiFi 6, and Millimeter Wave. If you are in the U.S., you'll likely have access to all three technologies.

How the Quantum Tech Race Puts the World's Data at Risk

The technology one-upmanship between the United States and China is fast becoming the new space race. There's been a lot of talk in the press about the competition to reach 5G, but little traction outside of the tech community about something more momentous: the dangers of computing in a post-quantum world. The recent news from Google about its quantum capabilities is exciting. However, the prospect of supercomputing on this level raises several concerns about data integrity and the overall security threat.

General election 2019: Why we all see politics differently on social media

Why our digital life means political campaigners target us in ways we might not realise.

28 Early Black Friday Tech Deals for 2019 (Updated Daily)

Get a head start on holiday shopping with these deals and discounts.

Huawei: Trouble overseas but boom time in China

While Huawei tech is blocked in the US, it is helping build one of the world biggest 5G networks at home.

Uber loses licence to operate in London

The firm says it will appeal against the decision and can continue to operate during that process.

TCL 6-Series TV Review: Our Favorite TV of 2019

With top-tier tech and an affordable price tag, TCL's latest 6-Series is the best TV for most people.

24 Early Black Friday Tech Deals for 2019 (Updated Frequently)

Get a head start on holiday shopping with these deals and discounts.

Disney+ Is a Wonderful World for Tykes and Geeks

Disney+ has made its official debut, and after a few minor hiccups the service is up and running. It is widely available via a plethora of devices, offers a breadth of content, and serves quick and seamless downloads to mobile devices. However, with a heavy focus on Disney animated films, Marvel superhero movies and Star Wars, this service might not be quite the Netflix killer that the Walt Disney Company claims it is. Simply put, it is a great service for families with children, and it's great for sci-fi fans.

BA passengers face delays after 'technical issue'

The airline is booking passengers into hotels after some were stuck for up to 10 hours.

Election debate: Conservatives criticised for renaming Twitter profile 'factcheckUK'

Twitter said the stunt was misleading to the public and would not be tolerated in future - but did not take any direct action.

18 Early Black Friday Tech Deals for 2019 (Updated Frequently)

Get a head start on holiday shopping with these deals and discounts.

The Thorny Problem of 5G Security

A few years ago, putting the words "mobile telecoms security" in the title of an article would be a license to write whatever you wanted below, because no one was likely to read any of the words after the title. Sprinkling the magic ingredient 5G has changed this, and "5G security" is a hot topic now. What has changed? There is obviously a geopolitical aspect to 5G security, but it is not the full story by any means. Fundamentally, security for 5G is important now because 5G is going to become essential to many more parts of our lives.

6 Best Gaming Laptops for Every Kind of Player (2019)

We tested the latest and greatest gaming laptops to sort the god-rolls from the vendor fodder.

15 Early Black Friday Tech Deals for 2019 (Frequent Updates)

Get a head start on holiday shopping with these deals and discounts.

12 Early Black Friday Tech Deals for 2019 (Frequent Updates)

Get a head start on holiday shopping with these deals and discounts.

'Nightingale Project' to Turn Over Millions of Medical Records to Google

A venture between Google and Ascension, one of the largest healthcare providers in the United States, will give the tech giant access to the sensitive medical information of as many as 50 million patients in 21 states. Its venture with Google, called "The Nightingale Project," would enable it to improve the experience of patients, consumers, providers and associates, Ascension said, as well as advance its mission of providing compassionate, personalized care to all, especially people living in poverty and those most vulnerable.

New YouTube Terms of Service Create Stir

Google has published changes to YouTube's Terms of Service Agreement that have stoked fears among some users. "YouTube may terminate your access, or your Google account's access to all or part of the Service if YouTube believes, in its sole discretion, that provision of the Service to you is no longer commercially viable," the new ToSA states. Many creators are deeply concerned over the prospect of YouTube changing its practices. "A lot of people on the service make a living on it," noted Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

Microsoft Surface Pro X Review: Expensive, Unreliable, Untenable

The slim, light, 2-in-1 computer has a new chip that hobbles the machine’s ability to achieve the dreams that Microsoft had for it.

Apple's 'sexist' credit card investigated by US regulator

Goldman Sachs, which operates Apple Card, discriminates between men and women, it is claimed.

UPS Chalks Up Another Drone Delivery First

UPS has announced the first two revenue-generating residential deliveries of prescribed medicines to consumers. Its drone delivered the prescription medications from a CVS pharmacy in Cary, North Carolina, to a consumer's home, and to a customer in a retirement community. The drone flew autonomously but was monitored by a remote operator who could intervene if needed. In each case, it hovered about 20 feet above the delivery destination and lowered its package to the ground using a winch and cable.

Urchinbot could help ocean clean-up and other tech news

BBC Click's Lara Lewington looks at some of the week's best technology stories.

The Best Game Controller Buttons of All Time

From Nintendo to PlayStation, a definitive list of buttons, sticks, and more.

The 8 Best Robot Vacuums for Every Home and Budget (2019)

We've tested dozens of robot vacuums. Whether you're up against pet hair, carpet, or hardwood floors, we have a pick for you.

Smart toothbrush aims to improve technique and other tech

Lucy Hedges looks at some of the latest gadgets.