Why the world needs 'Instagrans'

A new generation of influencers are making their mark on social media.

ACLU Blasts Clearview's Facial Recognition Accuracy Claims

The American Civil Liberties Union has leveled criticisms against facial recognition tool developer Clearview for making misleading claims about the accuracy of its product. Clearview apparently has been telling law enforcement agencies that its technology underwent accuracy testing modeled on the ACLU's 2018 test of Amazon's Rekognition facial recognition tool. For that test, the ACLU simulated the way law enforcement used it in the field, matching photos of all 535 members of the U.S. Congress against its database.

Consumer contract changes 'could save customers money'

Internet, pay-TV and phone customers will now be offered the best deals when their contracts end.

Samsung Scores With 5G Galaxy S20's Camera Specs, New Z Flip

Samsung refreshed its Galaxy smartphone line, introduced a new foldable phone, and upgraded its wireless earbuds offering at its Unpacked event in San Francisco. Its three new flagship phones are all 5G ready. The S20 is priced at $999, while the S20 Plus will sell for $1,199, and the S20 Ultra for $1,399. The S20 is smallest of the trio, with a 6.2-inch display. The Plus' display is 6.7 inches and the Ultra's is 6.9 inches. All the units have three cameras -- wide angle, ultrawide and telephoto -- and the Plus and Ultra have a fourth for AR.

Razr Reviews Raise $1500 Durability Question

Motorola's new foldable Razr phone has been garnering mediocre notices from early reviewers, who tended to find its performance underwhelming for a phone priced at $1,500. Still, it does have personality, which can go a long way in the smartphone market, noted Bob O'Donnell, chief analyst at Technalysis Research. "We've reached an era where phones are incredibly personal. That's why I think you're going to find a bunch of people who like the Razr. It's radically different from all the other phones that are out there."

Turn Your Ikea Frekvens Gear Into a Boombox—or a Chicken

The new collection, a collaboration with Teenage Engineering, has its own set of 3D-printable accessories.

Nebia by Moen Review: A Showerhead That Made Me Really Cold

Not even a luxury, high-tech showerhead can make me turn on the mist setting in the middle of winter.

'You're a good dog': Robo-pup helps people with dementia

The robot is used as part of a live animal therapy treatment to help encourage emotional attachment.

Portl's 'holoportation booth' lets users beam-in live and life-sized

The projection display is able to show pre-recorded video or live images broadcast from another location.

Americans Are Split On Online Dating—but Swipe More Than Ever

A new survey backs assumptions with data: Like IRL romance, finding a match on the web is a mixed bag. And yes, women get lots of unwanted dick pics.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on Maps, AI, Ads, and Ambient Navigation

On Google Maps' 15th anniversary, the CEO underscores the importance of machine learning, while downplaying Google's dominance in advertising.

Watch Trump Give the 2020 State of the Union

President Trump will deliver his third address before Congress Tuesday, on the eve of the Senate's scheduled vote on impeachment.

Petrol and diesel car sales ban brought forward to 2035

The government plans to bring changes forward by five years to help the UK reach climate targets.

NFL: How tablets are speeding up American football

Insiders say the tempo of games has become faster and there is more emphasis on player skill.

5 Best Password Managers of 2020: 1Password, Bitwarden, and More

Keep your logins under lock and key. We picked our favorites for PC, Mac, Android, iPhone, and web browser.

Tech's Role in Addressing Coronavirus and Other Potential Pandemics

The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus a global health emergency in recognition that the disease risk no longer is confined to China. United Nations member countries may decide to close their borders, cancel flights, implement special screenings at airports, or take other steps in response to the notice. U.S. health officials earlier this week announced they would fast-track work on a coronavirus vaccine, with the goal to have an early-stage trial within three months. That timeline is considered optimistic.

Censorship claims emerge as TikTok gets political in India

A TikTok influencer says his videos on Hindu-Muslim unity have triggered censorship on the app.

DoubleTake App Turns Your iPhone Into a Multi-Cam Studio

A new iPhone app allows you to capture two high-quality video streams simultaneously from any of the mobile device's cameras. Called "DoubleTake," the free software is produced by FiLMiC, which also makes a pro style video capture and editing app for the iPhone. With DoubleTake, you can shoot two 1080p video streams at the same time, in either landscape or portrait mode, using any of the cameras in an iPhone 11 Pro Max, 11 Pro, 11, Xs Max, Xs or Xr. To make choosing a camera easier, the app contains a camera picker view.

10 Best Android Phones You Can Buy (New, Unlocked, Cheap)

Wonder what the absolute best Android phone is right now? We have the answer, and some alternatives from Google, OnePlus, Samsung, LG, Moto, and more.

Is Icahn Attempting a Hostile Takeover of HP? Figuring Out the Backstory

When it comes to any merger, you often can't trust the reason the firms are merging, particularly if financial rather than operational managers are driving the process. When it comes to hostile takeovers, you can bet you are being misled, because the rhetoric will address synergy and the power of the two firms together, but the folks driving the effort know the more likely goal is to destroy the acquired company. Carl Icahn, who is one of the most feared corporate raiders in the world -- possibly the most feared -- is behind this one.

Houdini Power Air Houdi Review: An Environmentally-Friendly Hoodie

This hoodie, which sheds much fewer microplastic fibers, makes me feel bad about wearing any other hoodie.

The Best Running Gear (2020): Shoes, Clothes, Accessories

Whether you’re running in warm weather or in the rain, we have the gear for you, including shoes, socks, and more.

Saudi Hack of Bezos' Phone Shines Bright Light on Security Challenges

A digital forensic analysis conducted by business advisory firm FTI Consulting concludes with "medium to high confidence" that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' smartphone was hacked through a malicious file sent from the WhatsApp account of Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. The malware was in an MP4 file attached to a WhatsApp message. UN special rapporteurs released technical elements of the report. "It makes you wonder how many other U.S. citizens are being spied on," said tech analyst Rob Enderle.

Grabbing the Cybersecurity and Privacy Problems by the Horns: ECT News Roundtable, Episode 3

Cybersecurity and privacy threats aren't confined to the tech world. They've cast their pall on the world in general. Computer viruses, malware and data leaks have become commonplace, personal privacy has become a bad joke, and cyberwar looms like a virtual mushroom cloud. What sometimes gets lost in the gloom are the many ways security professionals have been working to shore up cyberdefenses and rebuild some semblance of personal privacy. ECT News Network's roundtable of technology insiders recently discussed some of that progress.

FBI 'persuaded Apple to halt iCloud encryption'

Apple was reportedly working on the encryption feature two years ago but the FBI objected.

GM's Cruise unveils its first driverless vehicle

The launch comes six months after Cruise delayed its self-driving vehicle service in San Francisco.

Dyson's New Task Light Is Easy on the Eyes

The sleek, internet-connected lamp uses real-time data to illuminate your workspace and protect your precious peepers from strain.

Fujifilm X-Pro3 Review: A Nod to the Era of Film Cameras

Fujifilm's latest X-Pro leans into its eccentricities, bringing film-era aesthetics to the digital present.

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.