I Bricked My Computer With a BIOS Update. But There's Hope!

My slip-up could have meant the end of my PC. I managed to squirrel my way out of trouble, but the real lesson here is: Don't be me.

Desperate Gamers Camp Out in the Pandemic for $700 GPUs

Months after the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080's launch, the lines at brick-and-mortar stores across the country can still wrap around the block.

Robot mimics human eye contact and other tech news

BBC Click’s Omar Mehtab looks at some of the best technology news stories.

Apple Takes Chipset Matters Into Its Own Hands

Apple pulled the wraps off its first computer models based on its new Apple Silicon chip at an online event aired Tuesday. The Mac Air, Mac Mini and 13-inch MacBook Pro are all being refreshed with the company's new ARM-based M1 chip. The move is the beginning of a transition, expected to take two years, away from Intel chips and to Apple Silicon. ARM processors, which are primarily used in mobile devices, are known for prolonging battery life.

Social Media Upstart Parler Tops App Store Charts

A social media platform that bills itself as a "non-biased, free speech" alternative to outfits like Twitter and Facebook has seen a surge in interest in its mobile app over the last week that culminated Sunday in it becoming the top free app at the Apple App Store. According to Fox Business, the Parler app has been downloaded 310,000 times in the last week alone.

China's Singles Day: 3m people, 4,000 planes and cargo ships

The world's biggest 24-hour online shopping event requires a monumental effort to deliver all the goods.

Apple puts iPhone supplier on probation for labour violations

Students on a work-study programme at Pegatron were made to work overtime and night shifts, Apple says.

China sends 'world's first 6G' test satellite into orbit

The satellite is meant to trial new technology expected to be many times faster than 5G.

PS5 v Xbox Series X: Who will win the next-gen console race?

Newsbeat's gaming reporter Steffan Powell previews the upcoming new gaming consoles.

The Pros and Cons of Dedicated Internet Access

Although DIA can have a steep price tag and some installation complexity, most companies will opt for a dedicated connection at offices or data centers with mission-critical operations. Let's explore the benefits of a DIA circuit, as well as some potential considerations and drawbacks, to help determine if dedicated Internet is something your business should consider.

WhatsApp lets messages vanish after seven days

The disappearing messages option will erase chats from phone of both sender and recipient.

Jack Ma's Ant Group: World's biggest market debut suspended

The mega listing of China's Ant Group suspended in Shanghai and Hong Kong at eleventh hour.

Twitter hides Trump mail voting tweet ahead of polling day

Hours before polls open, Twitter hides president's tweet on mail-in voting and Supreme Court.

6 Great Couches You Can Buy Online—and 1 to Avoid (2020)

These are the best sofa's we've tested at WIRED (so far). If being cooped up has made you rethink your furniture, these might help refresh your space.

How I talk to the victims of conspiracy theories

The BBC's specialist disinformation reporter explains how to help people who've fallen down the rabbit hole.

How social media is preparing for US election chaos

Social media companies are making plans in case of unrest after election day.

Getting too many texts? Blame the election

Every election campaign uses more sophisticated tech, but the text message still cuts through.

Zoom Beefs Up User Security With End-To-End Encryption

Zoom gave its users a big security upgrade Monday when it rolled out end-to-end encryption for its online meetings network. E2EE puts control of the keys for scrambling data in the hands of meeting organizers. Before the E2EE rollout, encryption was done on Zoom's servers, where someone with access to those servers could intercept the data. When used correctly, E2EE can make it difficult for even the best-resourced intelligence agencies to eavesdrop on communication.

The Backbone One Takes iPhone Gaming to New Levels

This iPhone controller and its app are so immersive and well designed, I forgot I was playing on my phone.

The Chromecast With Google TV Is a Welcome Streaming Upgrade

The newest Chromecast comes with a remote and has Google TV built in—which makes it way easier to navigate a sea of streaming apps.

The 15 Best Wireless Headphones for Everyone

These cans and earbuds sound like a million bucks, even if you're on a budget.

The iPhone 12 Finally Gets Magnets Right

Motorola’s Moto Mods failed to pull off a long-lasting smartphone trend. But Apple’s MagSafe series looks like it might actually stick.

How the Google Antitrust Case Trickles Down Onto Your Phone

This week, we examine the possible implications of the US government’s complaint against Google, and how it could impact consumer technology.

Fabric responds to temperature changes and other news

BBC Click’s Jen Copestake looks at some of the best technology news stories of the week.

Former Apple designer Sir Jony Ive to revamp Airbnb

The British designer, who led the team behind the iPhone, will help give the brand a makeover.

Snapchat hits nearly 250m daily users

The 'forgotten social network' sees shares surge after its latest user numbers.

3 Great Gaming Chairs for Any Budget (2020)

With high backrests and generous adjustability, these thrones ease the physical strain of epic Doom Eternal sessions while also improving your WFH setup.

12 Best Wireless Earbuds WIRED Has Tried (2020)

Wirefree earbuds, true wireless earbuds, fully wireless earbuds, completely wireless earbuds—no matter what you call them, if you’re ready to cut the cord between your ears, these are the best buds we've tested.

How smart devices are exploited for domestic abuse

Two women explain how their partners turned internet-connected gadgets into a means of control.

Twitter changes policy after Biden article block

Twitter said links to content containing hacked material would now be labelled, rather than removed.

Next-Gen Gaming Is an Environmental Nightmare

Console waste plus energy-hungry cloud gaming equals the worst of both worlds for sustainability.

The Big Tech Regulation Rigamarole

The Big Tech companies have arguably done what they want over the years, arousing consumer anger and distrust, and numerous complaints by privacy and consumer rights groups. That includes cocking a snook at governments. While all of the Big Tech firms have been hit with multimillion-dollar fines at one time or another, many argue that's a drop in the bucket for companies that rake in billions of dollars annually.

Do Everything Faster With These Keyboard Tricks

Wanna see me cut and paste a large block of text without formatting? Wanna see me do it again?

Microsoft Squelches Trickbot Ransomware Network

An outlaw online network that's been used to infect millions of computers with ransomware has been disrupted by Microsoft. The company announced Monday that, together with telecommunications providers around the world, it was able to cut off the infrastructure used by the Trickbot botnet so it could no longer be used to initiate new infections or activate ransomware already planted on computer systems.

The 7 Best Turntables for Your Vinyl Collection (2020)

Looking for fresh indoor hobbies? Why not start a record collection? Here are our favorite entry-level turntables to help you enjoy analog audio at home.

Virtual puppets promise glitch-free video calls

Nvidia says its AI-powered method can facilitate video calls on very slow internet connections.

Robots Are Stringing Together These Adidas Running Shoes

The brand’s new Strung technology uses a robot to place thousands of individual threads across a sneaker’s upper.

US Army trials augmented reality goggles for dogs

The goggles could let handlers direct their dogs from a safe distance, the army says.

Drones for Hire Take to the Sky

Drones are now commonly used for aerial photography and videography, to cover live events, deliver small items, and to survey dangerous places and situations. While some companies maintain their own drone force, others prefer to outsource their use of drones to service providers that deal with the regulatory and legal issues that crop up with the commercial use of UAVs.

GlaxoSmithKline tells staff to turn off Covid app at work

The company tells BBC News the app is not needed because its workplaces are Covid-secure.

HP Takes Us One Step Closer to a Virtual Tomorrow

We're moving at an impressive rate to create virtual worlds, but we have missed several critical elements. Now HP has taken a considerable step to usher us to a future where we really can mostly exist in a virtual, rather than real, office environment; and not only get more done, but be safer as well.

The Best Menstrual Products (2020): Period Underwear, Cups, Pads, Etc

If you’re spending more time at home, here are some budget- and eco-friendly products—like a cup, period underwear, or reusable pads—to explore.

The Best Roller Skates (2020): Helmets, Protection, and More

Recently jumped on the skating craze? If you're confused about what gear to get, our recommendations on skaters, helmets, and more can help.

Lumen Metabolism Tracker Review

Breathe into it and the Lumen will tell you how well you're burning fat, and how to eat healthier.

Controversial Plan Urges DoD to Recruit Tech Pros to WFH

The United States Defense Innovation Board has recommended that the Pentagon hire civilians to work from home who can handle classified information as a way of attracting people with technology expertise. The individuals sought "will have technical degrees and/or highly specialized skills in digital technologies and innovation needed across the U.S. Department of Defense," which is undergoing digital transformation.

Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4A 5G: Price, Specs, Release Date

Unlike competitors' more experimental phones, Google's new flagship doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles—but it's more affordable than its predecessor. It's joined by an even cheaper Pixel 4A 5G.

Facebook Merges DMs for Instagram and Messenger

A new update allows for cross-platform messaging for the first time within the Facebook family of apps.

Nokia clinches 5G deal with BT to replace Huawei in EE network

The Finnish firm will become the largest provider of base stations and antennas to EE's network.

Police told not to download NHS Covid-19 app

National Police Chiefs Council says officers should not install contact-tracing app on work phones.

The Best Smart Light Bulbs (2020): Ambient Lighting, Kits, Color, and More

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