Cybersecurity 2020: A Perilous Landscape

Cybersecurity risks for 2020 stretch far beyond the alarming spike in ransomware. In addition to the daily concerns of malware, stolen data and the cost of recovering from a network intrusion, there is the very real danger of nefarious actors using cyberattacks to interfere with the 2020 U.S. general election. Today, every company that has a computer or any connected devices or software should see itself as a "tech company." Every individual with a smart TV, virtual assistant or other IoT device could be at risk as well.

The Best Gaming Mouse for Every Kind of Player (2020)

Whether you're into esports or casual fragging, these are the best corded and wireless gaming mice we've tested at a variety of price points.

Social media data needed for 'harm' research, say doctors

Research on data could help to protect children, a report says - but critics say privacy should be a priority.

Apple, DoJ Grapple Over Cracking Terrorist's iPhones

Apple and the DoJ are at it again. This time it's over cracking a brace of iPhones owned by the Saudi Air Force cadet who killed three sailors in a shooting spree last month at the naval air station in Pensacola, Florida. At a news conference to announce the findings of an investigation into the Pensacola incident, U.S. Attorney General William Barr called out Apple for refusing to help the FBI recover data on the phones owned by the cadet. Barr's comments provoked Apple to issue a statement of its own on the subject.

Pre-teen girls 'tricked into sex acts on webcams'

Tens of thousands of 11- to 13-year-olds are being tricked into performing sex acts, data suggests.

The Most Important Autonomous Car Announcement at CES

CES is the show I look forward to returning from, and the primary reason is that getting around Las Vegas during the event is a nightmare. One evening I wanted to go to the In-N-Out Burger place, and even though it was only a mile or two from my hotel, the traffic was so bad that I doubted I'd make there and back before midnight -- and it was only 6 p.m. CES would benefit either from Elon Musk's Boring Company or from aggressive use of autonomous technology so that the traffic could be better optimized.

Researchers: Are we on the cusp of an ‘AI winter’?

AI researchers admit that the hype around AI may be cooling off once again.

10 Best CES 2020 Devices You Can Buy Right Now: Earbuds, E-Bikes, Toys, and More

Most of CES’s flashy tech is months, maybe years, from hitting store shelves. Here are a few devices you can order now—and some extra deals we like.

Cybersecurity 2020: The Danger of Ransomware

Ransomware tops the list of cybersecurity threats for 2020. While there have been efforts to convince individuals, corporations and municipalities not to pay ransoms, the simple fact is that whenever one is paid, the attack becomes a success that encourages cyberthieves to try again. Ransomware attacks increased 18 percent in 2019, up from an average 12 percent increase over the past five years. It accounted for 40 percent of all manufacturers' cyber claims, and for 23 percent of cyber claims for smaller businesses last year.

CES 2020: TV lets you shine a torch into its shadows

A special 8K TV at the CES tech show allows scenes to be re-lit as they play.

CES 2020 WIRED Liveblog: Smart Vibrator, Robot Arms, and More from CES

The WIRED crew is roaming the CES 2020 show floor to find the coolest and strangest gadgets this year.

CES 2020 Liveblog (Tuesday): Photos and News of All the CES Gadget Madness

Updated all day Tuesday. The WIRED crew is in Las Vegas to bring you up-to-the-minute coverage of news from the first full day of CES 2020.

Bluetooth's New LE Audio Is Here to Fix Your Headphones

Bluetooth’s new low-energy audio capabilities will save your battery and let you stream to multiple sources at once.

Don't Expect Too Much From Electric Trucks

With the rise of electric cars, it was only a matter of time before electric trucks hit the market. Several electric vehicle startups -- including Bollinger, Lordstown Motors, Rivian and Workhorse -- have been working on developing electric pickup trucks for several years, but none have come to market yet. However, it was the announcement of the Cybertruck by Tesla that ignited interest in the market. Tesla received more than 200,000 reservations, at $100 each, in the first few weeks after announcing the Cybertruck.

CES 2020 Trends We're Expecting: 5G, E-Scooters, Foldables, Privacy

The annual consumer tech showcase will be awash in shiny gadgets, but it's what those products tell us about the future that matters most.

Segway's S-Pod Brings the Hoverchairs From 'WALL-E' to Life

You'll soon be able to scoot around town—at 24 mph—without even having to stand up.

OnePlus Concept One: Details, Specs, Disappearing Camera

The phone uses electrochromic glass to pull off its vanishing act. Just don’t expect to get your hands on one anytime soon.

3D TV Tells You Everything About This Decade’s Tech

You don't need special glasses to see what it looks like when smart people run out of ideas.

2010 - 2019: Product of the Decade

As we get to the end of December, I typically pick my product of the year, but this is also the end of the decade, so I'll name my pick for this year, and then pick my product of the decade. 2010 was an easy choice as the iPad came out and scared the hell out of the entire PC market. Its release made the whole "PC is Dead" thing real and spurred Microsoft to create the Microsoft Surface response. The iPad was a powerful new offering at the time, and it was the last product Steve Jobs had a major influence on.

Sonos in bricked speaker 'recycling' row

Customers who recycle old speakers qualify for a 30% discount on new products but there is a catch.

4 Robot Vacuum Tips That Will Help You Keep a Tidy Home

With a few simple tips, an automated robot vacuum can be your new best friend.

Using Technology to Fix the Flawed Impeachment Process

When the U.S. president was impeached last week, it surfaced the fact that impeachment, and particularly the removal of a U.S. president, is a process that doesn't work. Throughout U.S. history, there have been 45 presidents, and given that no one trains for that job, you'd figure several would have been removed for cause. However, impeachment has been attempted three times without a removal. If a process that has been in place for more than 200 years has never been successful, it is a really bad process.

12 Best After-Christmas Sales (2019): Amazon, REI, GameStop, Best Buy, and More

Our favorite post-Christmas deals on outdoor and home tech, videogames, tax software, and more.

App helps parents of premature babies stay in touch

An app has been developed to help parents stay in touch with their premature baby in hospital.

Iran internet 'disrupted' ahead of protests

The authorities reportedly order services to be cut off ahead of fresh planned demonstrations.

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.