Author: Wired Magazine

Burying Power Lines Prevents Wildfires. But There’s a Cost

Not long after the deadliest wildfire in modern American history swept through Lahaina, Maui, on August 8, speculation began swirling about a notorious igniter of out-of-control blazes: electrical equipment.  Although investigators have yet to officially determine the cause of the wildfire, witnesses reported power poles snapping in the 60-mile-an-hour winds that were pouring down the… Continue reading Burying Power Lines Prevents Wildfires. But There’s a Cost

‘Reservation Dogs’ Is a Vision of Hollywood’s New Normal

In the FX comedy Reservation Dogs, currently midway through its third and final season, the residents of Okern, Oklahoma, are rendered on a glorious scale. They are a collection of oddballs and misfits, lovers and loners, friends and frenemies, wise elders and wise-cracking aunties. To engage their all-encompassing community is to enter into the beauty… Continue reading ‘Reservation Dogs’ Is a Vision of Hollywood’s New Normal

Apple’s Decision to Kill Its CSAM Photo-Scanning Tool Sparks Fresh Controversy

In December, Apple said that it was killing an effort to design a privacy-preserving iCloud photo-scanning tool for detecting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the platform. Originally announced in August 2021, the project had been controversial since its inception. Apple had first paused it that September in response to concerns from digital rights groups… Continue reading Apple’s Decision to Kill Its CSAM Photo-Scanning Tool Sparks Fresh Controversy

People Are Increasingly Worried AI Will Make Daily Life Worse

Over the past year or so, you’ve probably had conversations with friends, family, and coworkers about the rise of generative AI capable of making convincing text and imagery—but perhaps also about the hype and fear swirling around the technology. A poll out this week finds that worry over harmful effects of AI is outpacing the… Continue reading People Are Increasingly Worried AI Will Make Daily Life Worse

Unmasking Trickbot, One of the World’s Top Cybercrime Gangs

“The Russian criminal problem isn’t going anywhere. In fact, now it’s probably closer with the security services than it’s ever been,” says John Hultquist, Google Cloud’s chief analyst for Mandiant Intelligence. “They’re actually carrying out attacks and doing things that benefit the security services, so the security services have every interest in protecting them.” Analysts… Continue reading Unmasking Trickbot, One of the World’s Top Cybercrime Gangs

Hurricane Idalia Is About to Slam Florida With a Wall of Water

Early Tuesday morning, Tropical Storm Idalia strengthened into Hurricane Idalia, charting a course for Florida’s west coast and panhandle. Its maximum sustained winds have already reached nearly 100 miles per hour, and it’s expected to keep feeding on exceptionally warm ocean waters and intensifying before making landfall early Wednesday.  It will pound Florida—including heavily populated… Continue reading Hurricane Idalia Is About to Slam Florida With a Wall of Water

MoonSwatch Mission to Neptune 2023: Price, Details, Release Date

The fact that Daniel Craig showed up at a film premiere rocking one with a tailored suit hardly dampened the fervor. The Neptune is thought to have been back on sale in recent months, though it appears to remain scarce­—while MoonSwatch resale prices have now largely fallen to levels only marginally more expensive than as-new,… Continue reading MoonSwatch Mission to Neptune 2023: Price, Details, Release Date

Donald Trumpbests Mug Shot Will Be His Most Enduring Meme

The first time I encountered Donald Trump was on my TV screen. It was 1994, and it happened in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith’s popular coming-of-age sitcom about class assimilation that ran on NBC for six seasons. There was nothing particularly memorable about the episode or Trump’s appearance in it—he… Continue reading Donald Trumpbests Mug Shot Will Be His Most Enduring Meme

24 Best Wireless Chargers (2023): Pads, Stands, iPhone Docks, and More

Wireless charging isn’t nearly as cool as it sounds. It’s not exactly wireless—a cord runs from an outlet to the charging pad—and it won’t charge your smartphone faster than plugging it in with a good ol’ cord. Still, I’m always disappointed when I test a smartphone that doesn’t support it. I’ve gotten used to simply… Continue reading 24 Best Wireless Chargers (2023): Pads, Stands, iPhone Docks, and More