Margaret Mitchell: Google fires AI ethics founder

She is the second senior figure to leave the online giant's ethics unit over the past few months.

Uber drivers are workers not self employed, Supreme Court rules

Long running court battle ends with ruling ride hailing app drivers are workers not self-employed.

How Biometric Authentication Methods Will Revamp the Commerce Experience

As they become more prominent, consumers will enjoy shopping experiences that no longer rely on payments from a piece of plastic with a four-digit pin. Instead, consumers will use unique motion sensors in smartphone devices to passively authenticate people using their walking behavior and other contextual biometric signals. Some of these contactless procedures are already being deployed.

The Future of Cybersecurity in 2021 and Beyond

Cybersecurity experts predict that in 2021 there will be a cyberattack incident every 11 seconds. This is nearly twice what it was in 2019, and four times the rate five years ago in 2016. The rapidly growing increase in cyberattacks worldwide comes at a hefty cost for businesses in order to better protect their computer networks from intrusions. Cyberattacks not only are increasing in frequency, but they are costing victims larger financial losses.

Full-face hot-wax TikTok videos prompt warnings

Skin experts raise health-and-safety concerns about the videos, which do not carry a warning.

Mercedes emergency call bug: Carmaker recalls vehicles

Carmaker recalls more than a million vehicles after finding a bug in its emergency call software.

How to Level Up Your At-Home Recording Studio

Ready to upgrade your USB microphone or headset to something better? Here’s how to make sense of pro(ish) audio gear.

19 Face Masks We Actually Like to Wear

Plus, updated tips on how to wear them most effectively—whether you're running, going to work, or just trying to stay safe and stylish.

The CDC Now Recommends Double-Masking. Here's How to Do It

The CDC has released a report showing that two masks are better than one for curbing transmission of the coronavirus. Here's the proper way to double up.

16 Valentine's Day Deals for Your Sweetheart (or Yourself)

From a bouquet of flowers to sex tech, you can save on gifts for your special someone.

Bitcoin consumes 'more electricity than Argentina'

The rising value of Bitcoin leads to ever-higher energy consumption, researchers say.

Jack Ma swaps drawings with fellow tech billionaire

The Alibaba founder and Japanese technology entrepreneur Masayoshi Son are close friends and share sketches.

Tesco tells Chancellor to hit online rivals with sales tax

Boss Ken Murphy has asked Chancellor Rishi Sunak for a "level playing field" when it comes to tax.

How to Free Up Space on Your Laptop

Running out of storage for that new game or work files you need to download? Here’s how to make some room.

The Best Cheap Phones for (Almost) Every Budget

There’s little reason to pay top dollar for a phone these days. These are our favorite Android devices and iPhones for $200 to $500.

Device could aid motorcyclists cornering and other news

BBC Click’s Paul Carter looks at some of the best technology news stories of the week.

10 Great TV and Soundbar Deals for the Super Bowl

Yeah, there's a big football game this weekend, but we're more excited about these OLED TV and soundbar deals.

3 Services to Help You Take Charge of Your Mental Health

We're all having a tough time right now, but these apps, podcasts, and websites can provide a lifeline.

Crew in a Box: A plug-and-play studio kit

The remotely controlled system includes camera, teleprompter, microphones and a light panel.

Silver surges as speculators focus on commodities

The investor battle that caused GameStop to surge has moved on to silver.

The Best VPNs to Protect Yourself Online

It won’t solve all of your privacy problems, but a virtual private network can help make you a less tempting target for hackers.

Your Covid Vaccine Questions, Answered

This week, we field listener queries about the vaccine’s rollout, how state and local governments are handling distribution, and when you’ll get your shot.

KrowdFit Gives Fitness Trackers a New Motivational Dimension

Do you welcome physical fitness like a fish in water, or does it take a trip to the clothing store for larger sizes to get you moving? If you need a push, perhaps a new motivational tool called KrowdFit will be more to your liking. It pays you cash to put your fitness tracking devices on. The KrowdFit wellness app uses a novel twist to a childhood motivational method. It pays you cash to keep physically active.

NYC Surveillance Cameras Targeted in Amnesty International Crowdsource Project

An online map of surveillance cameras in New York City is in the works. The map project is part of a larger campaign called "Ban the Scan," sponsored by Amnesty International, which is partnering on the initiative with several other tech advocacy, privacy, and civil liberties groups. Data for the map will be "crowdsourced" by volunteers.

Gamestop: 'Failing' firm soars in value as amateurs buy stock

Shares in a games company have soared more than 300% - the result of a fight between private and professional investors.

The North Face Puts the Latest Road Running Tech on the Trail

The storied outdoor brand has introduced a new trail running shoe with speedy—and controversial—carbon-fiber plates in the soles.

Satellites beat balloons in race for flying internet

Google's Loon bows out - but thousands of satellites are taking to the skies to beam down the internet.

The great graphics card shortage of 2020 (and 2021)

Gamers have been facing inflated prices for months - and it's set to stretch into 2021.

Iran's supreme leader makes online threats to attack golfing Trump

A photomontage seems to show the ex-president playing in the shadow of a warplane or large drone.

How to Reboot Your Burnt-Out Brain

This week, we round up tips for staying organized, energized, and mostly sane as we all ride out the rest of the pandemic.

Joe believes playing video games helps his mental health

Many argue the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to gaming and mental health

Netflix: Four things which have driven its success

The streaming firm, which has been boosted by Covid, now has more than 200 million subscribers.

Health secretary self-isolating after Covid app alert

Matt Hancock says he will stay at home and urged others to do the same if "pinged" by the app.

17 Bags, Backpacks, Cubes, and Straps to Protect Your Camera

There are dozens of ways to tote around your photo and video gear. We’ve reviewed our favorites.

WhatsApp changes: Signal messaging platform restored after surge prompts outage

Signal experienced a surge and stopped working after WhatsApp unveiled new privacy terms last week.

Virtual CES Was As Surreal As We All Suspected It Would Be

Should it have happened at all?

Australia rebukes Google for blocking local content

The tech giants are fighting the Australian government over plans to make them pay for news content.

Amazon faces legal challenge over Prime cancellation policy

Consumer watchdogs say the manipulative "dark pattern" design makes it hard for people to end membership.

CES Day 3: Health Tech, Cool Cars, and the Future of School

The consumer tech show is virtual this year, and the WIRED Gear crew is watching all the Zooms to bring you up-to-the-minute highlights of news from CES.

CES Liveblog: Laptops, Robovacs, and Lab-Grown Breast Milk

The consumer tech show is virtual this year, and the WIRED Gear crew is watching all the Zooms to bring you up-to-the-minute highlights of news from CES.

The Best Cheap Phones for (Almost) Every Budget

There’s little reason to pay top dollar for a phone these days. These are our favorite Android devices and iPhones for $200 to $500.

CES 2021: The tech expo swaps Vegas for a virtual show

How the giant tech showcase has swapped Vegas for a virtual event this year.

Google suspends 'free speech' app Parler

Apple will also remove the social network from its App Store if it does not change its policies.

What to Expect From the First-Ever Virtual CES

The show must go on.

WhatsApp and Facebook to share users' data outside Europe and UK

Users in Europe and the UK must accept new terms to use the service, but will not see data rule changes.

Trump bans Alipay and seven other Chinese apps

The latest executive order by the US president will only take effect after he has left office.

How to Upgrade Your Home Audio While You're Quarantined

Stuck home or not, it's always a good idea to invest in better sound. Our advice and gear recommendations can help.

2021: The Year of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

While the pandemic has been painful, it has caused things to accelerate in several areas impressively rapidly. Two of those areas are robotics and artificial intelligence, which we'll see adapted broadly this decade with a considerable bump in 2021. Let's talk about all of that this week, and we'll close with the first product of the week in 2021, the Somnofy AI Sleep Monitor.

Ways to Stay Sane and Relaxed During Quarantine

It’s hard to keep calm and carry on when trying not to lose your mind is a struggle. Here are a few tips to help you cope.

Adobe Flash Player is finally laid to rest

The beleaguered web browser plug-in will no longer receive security updates from Adobe.