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.

The 9 Best Travel Bags: Carry-On Luggage, Duffel, Budget (2020)

A rolling carry-on is perfect for more than just flying. Whether going by air, road, or rail, here is our favorite luggage.

Cybersecurity Conundrum: Who's Responsible for Securing IoT Networks?

Surely spurred by the work-from-home necessities of 2020, people have connected a multitude of non-business devices to their corporate networks, making it progressively difficult to implement cybersecurity because every device is a potential weak point. So, who will ultimately be responsible for cybersecurity of an IoT network?

NHS Covid-19 app: How England and Wales' contact-tracing service works

The app will tell you to self-isolate or be tested or warn of an elevated local risk level.

Nvidia + Arm Will Dramatically Change the Technology Landscape

Nvidia last week announced they are buying Arm, which will result in some exciting changes. This merger will open up opportunities for the company to create new, innovative, and compelling products across the technology ecosystem. Let's talk about that this week, and we'll close with my product of the week -- a new business class notebook from HP, the EliteBook 840 G7.

The tech putting the beef into Australian cattle farming

Why Australia's huge farms are increasingly relying on technology to monitor their livestock.

The 6 Best Laptop Stands (2020): Adjustable, Portable, and More

Help your back and posture by raising your computer screen up to eye level.

The 5 Best Cheap Phone Plans (2020): Alternatives to the Big Carriers

If you’re a Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T subscriber, these networks may save you a lot of money each month.

The Nintendo 3DS' Surprisingly Social Legacy

Nintendo just discontinued the iconic portable game console, but the real 3DS was the friends we made along the way.

How to Break Out of Your Social Media Echo Chamber

Platforms like Facebook are designed to profit from humans' confirmation bias. Here's how to restore balance to your feed.

Tech Job Market Hot for the Near Future

Computer systems design and related services added 13,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's August jobs report. IT employment in July was up by more than 203,000 positions since the COVID-19 outbreak; and there were more than 235,000 job postings by U.S. employers, according to the Computing Technology Industry Association.

‘You get fully submerged’ - Taser training in VR

The virtual worlds helping to train and sharpen the skills of a UK police force.

Microsoft Surface Duo: Rethinking the Smartphone

For many of us a phone should predominantly be a way to communicate and aid productivity, as opposed to being a device of distractions. Though we communicate far differently these days, and the apps we use to communicate seem to prefer larger screens. This brings us to Microsoft's Surface Duo, which has twin screens and is very different from the foldable phones with which it will compete.

A passenger drone hotel and other technology news

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

France gives online firms one hour to pull 'terrorist' content

Websites will have just one hour to pull content reported by police, or face huge fines.

Coronavirus: Tesla stand-off eases as officials reach deal

The boss of the electric carmaker had defied shutdown orders to reopen the firm's factory.