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
Author: Wired Magazine
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
Nanoleaf 4D Kit Review (2023): Fantastic Colors
I watched Return of the King with 4D lighting, and I never want to go back. The colors of Mount Doom’s lava poured onto the wall behind my TV, and the flickering lanterns as Aragorn took up Andúril, the flame of the west, warmed my living room. The green of the Shire felt nearly in… Continue reading Nanoleaf 4D Kit Review (2023): Fantastic Colors
The Cheap Radio Hack That Disrupted Poland’s Railway System
Since war first broke out between Ukraine and Russia in 2014, Russian hackers have at times used some of the most sophisticated hacking techniques ever seen in the wild to destroy Ukrainian networks, disrupt the country’s satellite communications, and even trigger blackouts for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens. But the mysterious saboteurs who have,… Continue reading The Cheap Radio Hack That Disrupted Poland’s Railway System
Donald Trump’s Mug Shot Matters in a World of Fakes
For months, Etsy has become littered with a new genre of T-shirt: the Donald Trump mug shot. And they’re available in two main styles: Guity AF and Not Guilty. The shirts are adorned with photos of the former US president appearing as if he’d just been booked, but until very recently, they’ve been fakes—most of… Continue reading Donald Trump’s Mug Shot Matters in a World of Fakes
Trump’s Prosecution Is America’s Last Hope
Donald Trump was arrested in Georgia tonight for his role in what prosecutors christened “a wide-ranging criminal enterprise” aimed at overturning the results of the 2020 election. Trump and 18 others—his former lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, and his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, among them—have been formally accused of 41 state-law felonies. The case is brought… Continue reading Trump’s Prosecution Is America’s Last Hope
14 Best Early Labor Day Deals (2023): Firepits, Grills, and Couches
Autumn is fast approaching, and with it comes Labor Day—a herald to the end of summer. We’ve rounded up several early Labor Day deals and end-of-summer sales on furniture and outdoor gear. Be sure to check out our Best Early Labor Day Mattress Sales roundup as well. We also have a big list of back-to-school… Continue reading 14 Best Early Labor Day Deals (2023): Firepits, Grills, and Couches
The Last Hour Before Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Plane Crash
At around 5:30 pm Moscow time on August 23, the Embraer Legacy 600 private business jet took to the skies. Launching from an airport near the Russian capital, the 13-seater plane, which has a white body and blue tail, has been linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the brutal Russian mercenary outfit Wagner Group.… Continue reading The Last Hour Before Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Plane Crash
The Myth of ‘Open Source’ AI
ChatGPT made it possible for anyone to play with powerful artificial intelligence, but the inner workings of the world-famous chatbot remain a closely guarded secret. In recent months, however, efforts to make AI more “open” seem to have gained momentum. In May, someone leaked a model from Meta, called Llama, which gave outsiders access to… Continue reading The Myth of ‘Open Source’ AI
India’s Lander Touches Down on the Moon. Russia’s Has Crashed
And nations should avoid cluttering those spots with mechanical detritus, which could complicate future missions. Like campers heading into the backcountry, it’s important to think carefully about what you pack with you and what you take out, Birk says. India’s success doesn’t mean the end of the race toward the moon’s south pole, but it… Continue reading India’s Lander Touches Down on the Moon. Russia’s Has Crashed