It would be easy to put this down to stan armies—established fans of these creators, clashing over the video in a kind of proxy war to glorify their community—but it’s not along such rigid lines. “Whenever there’s a way to quantify popularity online, there’s a group mentality that emerges,” says Kat Tenbarge, a reporter for… Continue reading Everyone Is Trying to Make This TikTok Go Viral—and It Never Will
Author: Wired Magazine
Nike Is Killing the App for Its $350 Self-Tying Sneakers
In 2019, Nike got closer than ever to its dream of popularizing self-tying sneakers by releasing the Adapt BB. Using Bluetooth, the sneakers paired to the Adapt app that let users do things like tighten or loosen the shoes’ laces and control its LED lights. However, Nike has announced that it’s “retiring” the app on… Continue reading Nike Is Killing the App for Its $350 Self-Tying Sneakers
7 Lesser-Known Google Maps Features
Hover the cursor over the Layers panel (bottom right), then click Biking. The map will then adjust the way routes are marked for cyclists, with different types of lines for trails, dedicated bike lanes, bicycle-friendly roads, and unpaved trails. Add Your Own Locations There are some spots that may be personal to you—the picnic area,… Continue reading 7 Lesser-Known Google Maps Features
How Disinformation From a Russian AI Spam Farm Ended up on Top of Google Search Results
In the space of 24 hours, a piece of Russian disinformation about Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s wife buying a Bugatti car with American aid money traveled at warp speed across the internet. Though it originated from an unknown French website, it quickly became a trending topic on X and the top result on Google. On… Continue reading How Disinformation From a Russian AI Spam Farm Ended up on Top of Google Search Results
This Ancient Technology Is Helping Millions Stay Cool
CBalance is another company working to tackle the heat problem, specifically for underprivileged households living in tightly packed slums, ghettos, and poorly planned neighborhoods. Led by Vivek Gilani, it has experimented with simple and affordable cooling ideas like insulating ceiling boards made out of recycled compressed Tetra packs and plastic objects, rooftop gardening in grow… Continue reading This Ancient Technology Is Helping Millions Stay Cool
Extreme Wildfires Have Doubled in Frequency and Intensity in the Past 20 Years
THIS ARTICLE IS republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. It feels like we are getting used to the Earth being on fire. Recently, more than 70 wildfires burned simultaneously in Greece. In early 2024, Chile suffered its worst wildfire season in history, with more than 130 people killed. Last year, Canada’s record-breaking… Continue reading Extreme Wildfires Have Doubled in Frequency and Intensity in the Past 20 Years
The Far Right Is Already Demonizing Kamala Harris
Far-right communities online are already demonizing Vice President Kamala Harris after speculation that she may replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee in the US election. But rather than focusing on her policies, experience, or ability to do the job, the vicious attacks have focused instead on her sex life, her race, and rethreading… Continue reading The Far Right Is Already Demonizing Kamala Harris
8 Best Fitbit (2024): Trackers, Watches, GPS, Health
Are Fitbits waterproof? Aside from the first-generation Fitbit Ace kids fitness tracker, all Fitbits offer some resistance against water. All of the latest wearables, including the Google Pixel Watch 2, Fitbit Charge 6, Sense 2, and Inspire 3, can be submerged in water up to 50 meters deep. That also gives you a good idea… Continue reading 8 Best Fitbit (2024): Trackers, Watches, GPS, Health
Conspiracy Theorists Aren’t Even Bothering With Biden’s Debate Performance
Over the past 18 months, Elon Musk’s X has become a hive of disinformation, particularly around breaking news events, such as the Gaza conflict and the Baltimore bridge collapse. But after Thursday’s presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump, the expected torrent of disinformation and conspiracies flooding the platform never materialized.… Continue reading Conspiracy Theorists Aren’t Even Bothering With Biden’s Debate Performance
Amazon Is Investigating Perplexity Over Claims of Scraping Abuse
Amazon’s cloud division has launched an investigation into Perplexity AI. At issue is whether the AI search startup is violating Amazon Web Services rules by scraping websites that attempted to prevent it from doing so, WIRED has learned. An AWS spokesperson, who talked to WIRED on the condition that they not be named, confirmed the… Continue reading Amazon Is Investigating Perplexity Over Claims of Scraping Abuse