Should I Spend $1,000 on a Smartphone?

With so many great inexpensive phones out there, it depends on why you want a pricey flagship model. Here are the most common justifications we hear.

Rape victims among those to be asked to hand phones to police

Cases may not go ahead if police in England and Wales do not get access to messages and photographs.

6 Best Pizza Ovens in 2019 (Outdoor, Indoor, Gas, and Wood)

You want pizza? After months of testing, we picked our favorite portable pizza ovens for backyards, countertops, or camping.

Fitness trackers 'add miles to your marathon'

Tests by a consumer watchdog found that several brands were inaccurate in calculating running distance.

The Galaxy Fold's Breaking Display Won't Be Easy to Fix

The ambitious device gets an iFixit teardown, revealing what might turn out to be systematic problems.

EU Gives Nod to 'Big Brother' Biometrics Database

The EU Parliament overwhelmingly approved two measures that would integrate the region's fragmented law enforcement and home affairs databases into a centralized one that would include biometric information on some 350 million EU and non-EU citizens. It approved creation of the new system on two votes. One was to merge systems related to visas and borders, approved 511-123, with nine abstentions. The other was to merge systems with law enforcement, judicial, migration and asylum information, approved 510-130, also with nine abstentions.

Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2019: Portable, Waterproof, Good Battery Life

WIRED's favorite portable Bluetooth speakers of all shapes and sizes, from clip-ons to a massive boombox.

Samsung Delays the Release of Its Galaxy Fold Smartphone

The smartphone giant has delayed the release of the Samsung Galaxy Fold after early review units of the folding smartphone began malfunctioning.

11 Best Upcycled and Recycled Products (2019)

You want shoes, eh? How about shoes made from recycled plastic?

Millions using 123456 as password, security study finds

A list of all-too-predictable choices for breached accounts includes 123456 and "Liverpool".

Disney Goes Over the Top: How Does Its Streaming Service Stack Up?

The Walt Disney Corporation officially announced Disney+, its direct-to-consumer streaming service, during its Investor Day webcast last week. The new over-the-top service will become available on Nov. 12 for a $6.99 month subscription. Disney+ will arrive with more than 25 new TV programs, as well as more than 10 new movies. The service will expand to include more than 400 movies from the Disney vaults, as well as other IP from Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox -- all now owned by the Mouse House.

Everyone's a Winner in Apple-Qualcomm Settlement

Apple and Qualcomm unexpectedly announced a settlement as their case entered the second day of a hearing in the U.S. District Court in San Diego. In related news, Intel announced it was getting out of the 5G smartphone chip business. The Apple-Qualcomm settlement provides an unspecified one-time payment from Apple to Qualcomm, a six-year licensing arrangement, and Apple's agreement to pay royalties to Qualcomm. The settlement will free Apple to enter the 5G smartphone competition, where it has been outstripped by Android device manufacturers.

Apple to Focus on Productivity With Next macOS, iOS Releases

The ramp-up to Apple's WWDC this June has begun, with reports circulating about the goodies the company will include in the next generation of its desktop and mobile operating systems. The latest revelations include macOS support for the iPad as an auxiliary display, and iOS support for multiple windows within apps. There are a number of third-party products on the market to add an iPad as a second display for a Mac, but the feature reportedly will become native to Apple's desktops and laptops with the next version of macOS, version 10.15.

'Why I write fake online reviews'

Two people explain why they post made-up reviews, while psychologists deconstruct the power of the review.

Epilepsy charity calls for social media seizure warnings

People with epilepsy are being exposed to flashing images, some deliberately, says a charity.

Withings Move Smartwatch Review: A Few Steps From Greatness

Don’t want a computer buzzing your wrist all day? Withings has an affordable fitness tracker for you.

6 Best Cheap Smartphones (2019): Budget iPhones and Android

The absolute best Android phones and iPhones you can buy for less than $600.

Gadget Lab Podcast: What Happens to Uber After Its IPO?

WIRED Transportation reporter Aarian Marshall joins the Gadget Lab podcast to talk about what Uber’s IPO means for the future of ride-sharing ... and everything else Uber does.

Google Presents a Cornucopia of Cloud Goodies

Google announced a host of new services, features and partners at Google Cloud Next '19 Day 2 in San Francisco. The new unveilings followed its announcement of Anthos, an open source platform powered by Kubernetes, on Day 1. Anthos is "a single platform for developers and operations; it is for on-premise and multicloud installations," Urs Hölzle, Google's senior vice president, technical infrastructure, told the audience Wednesday. "With Anthos we're making hybrid and multicloud the new normal." Holzle announced a slew of new tools.

Report: Apple Is Gearing Up to Debut Mini-LED Display Tech

Apple plans to introduce a number of new products in the next two years that will sport a new display technology, according to master Apple watcher Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities. Based on Kuo's predictions, which were reported widely on Tuesday, Apple will use new "mini LED" technology in three new products: a 31.6-inch monitor, launching in the second or third quarter; a new iPad with a 10- or 12-inch screen in late 2020 or 2021; and a new MacBook with a 15- or 17-inch screen in the first half of 2021.

Amazon Kindle Review (2019): A Cheaper Way to Read at Night

Amazon’s new entry-level Kindle ebook reader is just like the 2018 Kindle Paperwhite, but $40 cheaper.

Ikea and Sonos Symfonisk Range Includes a Speaker That’s a Lamp

This release marks the first set of products in a collaboration where scale meets sound.

Websites to be fined over 'online harms' under new proposals

Apps and websites that do not protect their users may be fined or blocked under new proposals.

‘Change My View’ Reddit Community Launches Its Own Website

Changeaview.com, the new home for the 700,000-member discussion group, adds custom features that go beyond Reddit's capabilities.

Gadget Lab Podcast: Reporting From Syria

Two passports, three voice recorders, one gas mask: How journalist Kenneth R. Rosen reports his stories from conflict zones in the Middle East.

Following Protests, Google Cuts Temps, Vendors, Contractors a Fairer Deal

Google has unveiled new minimum standards for temps, vendors and contractors in the United States, in response to demands from an employee coalition that included full-time Google staffers as well as temporary workers and contractors. "Yesterday, we shared an update on some new initiatives to support our extended U.S. workforce -- including comprehensive healthcare, 12 weeks parental leave, $15 an hour minimum wage, and $5,000 a year in tuition reimbursement," Google spokesperson Jenn Kaiser said Wednesday.

3 of the Best iPads Are on Sale Right Now

Amazon and Walmart have deals on the standard iPad, and two iPad Pro models.

Apple's Path to Destruction

One of the things I mention very infrequently is that I was groomed to be a CEO from a very early age. On top of my three management degrees and CMA certificate, I participated in two IBM programs that provided access to a massive amount of resources that detailed both the success and failure of companies at the time, giving me a unique view of what kills a company. One of the big company killers -- and Chrysler before Lee Iacocca is a leading example -- is excess product breadth. That is what we just saw from Apple last week.

UK gaming market worth record £5.7bn

Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds contribute to another record-breaking year for UK gaming.

PewDiePie loses YouTube crown to T-Series

The Swedish gamer battled the Indian channel to remain the YouTuber with the most subscribers.

Mark Zuckerberg asks governments to help control internet content

Mark Zuckerberg writes an open letter calling for new laws to monitor internet content.

Tech Tent: Apple, Lyft and feel-good tech

Lyft shares, Apple TV+, and those times when tech gets it right.

AI judge to settle small claims disputes and other news

BBC Click's Dan Simmons looks at some the week's best technology stories.

Apple Wants Its Credit Card in Your Digital Wallet

Apple is getting into the credit card business. The company has announced a virtual payment card built into the wallet app on iPhones. Apple Card sports a number of features aimed at helping consumers lead a healthier financial life. "With our hardware, software and services, we think that Apple is uniquely positioned to make the most significant change in the credit card experience in 50 years," Apple CEO Tim Cook told the audience at an event held Monday at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California.

Article 13: Memes exempt as EU backs controversial copyright law

Sharing memes and GIFs is still allowed under the new laws, after tweaks to allow "parody".

Ready Player One: How we made the film's visual effects

Industrial Light and Magic explain the challenges involved in making the film.

10 years of Grindr: A rocky relationship

A look back at the highs and lows from the first 10 years of dating app Grindr.

Phishers Bait Hooks for Netflix, Amex Users

Cybersecurity experts at Microsoft's Windows Defender Security Intelligence Team this week reported their discovery of two new email-based phishing campaigns. One targets American Express users while the other targets Netflix customers. Both campaigns reportedly are very well-crafted, featuring legitimate logos and even fill-in forms that closely mimic those on the respective company's own websites. It isn't clear if these campaigns are being orchestrated by the same group, but each was launched last weekend, and each cast a wide net.

19 Best Tech Deals on PC Gaming, Camping Gear, and More

We found a handful of great tech and outdoor discounts to peruse if you didn't already order the new iPad or Kindle.

AI turns scribbles into masterpieces and other news

BBC Click's Omar Mehtab looks at some of the best tech news stories of the week.

Apple AirPods 2019: Price, Specs, Release Date

The new AirPods have better battery life, come with a wireless charging option, and ship next week for $159.

Apple Boosts Performance in New iPad Air and Mini

Apple has announced a new 10.5-inch iPad and a refresh of the iPad mini. The 10.5-inch iPad Air, which will sell for $499, provides 64 gigabytes of solid state storage and WiFi support. It has Apple's latest mobile processor, the A12 Bionic chip, and supports Apple Pencil and the company's smart keyboard. "The Bionic A12 is a cut above the processors used in all other tablets on the market," Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies. The new 7.9-inch iPad mini, which will sell at a base price of $399 with WiFi support also has an A12 chip.

Best iPads (2019): Which New iPad Should You Actually Buy?

Choosing an iPad is more complicated than it needs to be, but we're here to help with our complete guide to Apple's new and old models.

MySpace admits losing 12 years' worth of music uploads

The social network has apologised for losing the data during a server migration.

Corporations Are Co-Opting Right-to-Repair

Opinion: Manufacturers are offering more repair options than ever before. But they still aren’t giving people the true freedom to fix what they want when they want.

AR in Harry Potter Game Is Next Best Thing to Real Magic

Niantic last week offered a few members of the gaming press a chance to take in the magic of its upcoming Harry Potter: Wizards Unite augmented reality game. The game, which is being developed as part of a joint effort with WB Games San Francisco under the Portkey Games label, promises to build on Niantic's hugely popular Pokémon Go mobile phone game. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, first announced in 2017, will use a mobile phone to blend augmented reality with the real world, much like Pokémon Go.

Fitbit Versa Lite Review: More for Less

This pared-down smartwatch still has just about everything you need.

How to Use Twitter's New In-App Camera Feature

Starting today, users will be able to take photos straight from the native Twitter app.

The Best Samsung Galaxy S10 Deals (and Which Model to Choose)

So you want a new Galaxy. Do you get the S10, S10 Plus, or S10e? Here's the WIRED guide to choosing—and finding the best deal.

The Strange Tech Wars of 2019

The tech market is defined by its battles: Microsoft vs. IBM; Apple vs. Microsoft; Netscape vs. Microsoft; Google vs. Microsoft. If Microsoft were a person, it likely would have PTSD. Then there was Apple vs. Google, and now the big one is Apple vs. Qualcomm. The screwy thing for me is that Huawei represents a far greater threat to both companies than they represent to each other. In fact, I'm really starting to wonder if Qualcomm isn't a proxy for Google in this fight, with Apple changing dramatically what its own real goal is.