Design brand Noware has created the Puff, a decorative necklace that conceals a functional USB flash drive. The product blurs the line between personal accessories and everyday tech hardware. It is designed to offer users a more personalized and stylish way to carry portable storage. The Puff aims to transform a typically mundane, utilitarian device into a piece of wearable jewelry.
The Retrospec Joe Rev 2 is an affordable electric BMX bike aimed at family riders. WIRED reviewed the 2026 model, finding it a genuinely enjoyable ride that appealed to multiple age groups. However, the bike falls short in several key areas, including limited battery range and reduced ride comfort. Its actual BMX performance capabilities are also constrained compared to traditional BMX standards. Overall, it earns praise for fun and accessibility but not for technical riding or long-distance use.
Instapaper, one of the original read-it-later apps, has received a significant upgrade. The update introduces new fonts, improved customization settings, and a redesigned layout. These changes represent a notable refresh for the long-standing bookmarking service. The improvements are aimed at enhancing the reading experience for both new and returning users.
Wired has published a curated list of six recommended Apple Watch accessories for 2026. The roundup is aimed at users looking to enhance or upgrade their existing Apple Watch experience. The selections cover a range of add-ons designed to improve functionality, comfort, or convenience. Each item on the list was chosen based on its ability to meaningfully complement the Apple Watch. The guide serves as a practical reference for consumers considering accessory purchases.
Auk has released the Mini 2, an updated version of its indoor smart garden device. The new model brings improvements over its predecessor in several key areas. Notable upgrades include enhanced lighting, a more refined design, and a broader selection of colors. The changes position the Mini 2 as a more polished and visually appealing option for indoor gardening enthusiasts.
A new Apple documentary examines the life of Aziz 'Zyzz' Shavershian, an Australian fitness personality who gained massive online popularity in the late 2000s. Shavershian became a pioneering internet figure by building a devoted following around his physique and persona before the era of modern social media influencers. He died in 2011 at the age of 22, cutting short a rapidly growing career. The documentary revisits his legacy at a time when appearance-focused online culture and 'looksmaxxing' trends have surged in mainstream relevance.
Wired has compiled a curated list of the best Apple Watch bands currently available across different styles and use cases. The roundup draws on years of hands-on testing that began when the first Apple Watch launched in 2015. Bands evaluated span a range of materials, including silicone sports straps and leather options. Notable brands featured in the selection include Nike, Nomad, and Hermès, catering to both athletic and fashion-forward users.
Puerto Rico is currently facing water rationing as authorities struggle to meet the island's demand for fresh water. Experts say the crisis could have been avoided through the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems. The island receives sufficient rainfall that, if captured, could yield billions of gallons of usable water annually. Despite this natural resource, no large-scale infrastructure has been put in place to collect and store rainwater. The situation highlights a missed opportunity in long-term water resource planning for the island.
Amazon has been using content from its streaming platform Twitch to train artificial intelligence models. The company announced that streamers have the option to opt out of this data usage. The disclosure sparked significant backlash, with thousands of users questioning why their content was being used for AI training without prior explicit consent. The situation highlights growing concerns among content creators about how major tech platforms handle user-generated content for AI development.
New York City lawmakers, musicians, and privacy advocates gathered outside Madison Square Garden to call for stricter limits on biometric surveillance at public venues. The group is pushing for a so-called 'Ban the Scan' measure targeting facial recognition and similar technologies. Supporters argue that the use of such systems by private venues raises serious civil liberties and privacy concerns. The press conference highlights growing public debate over how entertainment and sports venues deploy biometric data collection tools.
The Unitree G1, a roughly four-foot-tall humanoid robot developed in China, has gained significant online attention for its accessible price point and engaging public performances. The robot, made by Unitree Robotics, has attracted a growing following on social media platforms due to its ability to interact with and entertain crowds. Its relative affordability compared to other humanoid robots has positioned it as a notable entry in the consumer and commercial robotics space. However, questions remain about whether the G1 can transition from viral novelty to a practical, reliable worker in real-world job settings.
Tech publisher and visionary Tim O'Reilly has voiced strong criticism of major AI laboratories, arguing they misunderstand what people truly want from artificial intelligence. O'Reilly, who built a prominent tech publishing empire, acknowledges that AI is disrupting the very industry he created. Despite this personal impact, he remains an enthusiastic supporter of AI technology, provided it is developed openly. His position highlights a growing debate in the tech world over open-source versus closed, proprietary AI development.
WIRED has released its updated guide to the best wireless chargers available in 2026. The recommendations are based on hands-on testing of more than 100 charging devices. The selected products include a range of stands and pads designed to charge smartphones, wireless earbuds, and smartwatches. The guide aims to help consumers find convenient, cable-free charging solutions for their everyday devices.
WIRED has released its tested recommendations for the best paper planners of 2026. The list includes four products: Roterunner, Hobonichi, Cloth & Paper, and one additional option. The selections are aimed at people who find digital calendars insufficient for their planning needs. Each planner was evaluated through hands-on testing by WIRED editors. The recommendations highlight paper-based agendas and notebooks as viable alternatives to digital scheduling tools.
The Federal Trade Commission has signed agreements to refrain from enforcing portions of three federal court orders targeting auto dealers accused of credit discrimination. The deals were made without notifying the judges who issued the original orders. At least one co-plaintiff in the cases was also kept in the dark about the agreements. The move raises legal and ethical concerns, as the FTC effectively agreed to overlook conduct deemed unlawful by federal courts. The circumstances under which these non-enforcement agreements were reached remain unclear.
AI companionship company Joi AI recruited 10 individuals to participate in a month-long paid study involving sexual self-pleasure using its AI companion platform. The participants were essentially hired as consultants to test the product's capabilities in an intimate context. The company framed the initiative as a wellness study, positioning it within a broader conversation about mental and emotional health. Joi AI claims that AI companions could serve as a potential solution to the growing issue of male loneliness.
Google's Pixel 10 series, including the Pixel 10a, Pixel 10, and Pixel 10 Pro XL, has prompted a range of compatible protective accessories. Brands such as Mous, dbrand, and Bellroy are among those offering cases designed for the new devices. Screen protectors and Qi2 wireless chargers are also highlighted as key accessories for Pixel 10 owners. Choosing the right combination of case and accessories can help users protect their investment and enhance daily usability.
A journalist spent two months wearing an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) body suit to evaluate its fitness benefits. EMS suits work by sending electrical impulses to muscles, causing them to contract during exercise. The experiment aimed to determine whether the technology could serve as a faster or more efficient path to improved strength and fitness. The tester wore the skintight suit through regular workout sessions over the trial period. The investigation sought to separate the genuine fitness potential of EMS wearables from the marketing hype surrounding them.
Some Republican state legislators in the US are drafting laws to explicitly prohibit legal recognition of marriages between humans and AI chatbots. The move comes as a growing number of people report forming deep romantic bonds with AI systems, including symbolic or ceremonial 'marriages.' Under current US law, such human-AI unions already hold no legal standing. The proposed legislation would formally codify this prohibition at the state level, preempting any future legal challenges or recognition efforts.
Modern neuroscience reveals that brains, in all their varied forms, function essentially as inference engines that make predictions about the future. This perspective spans a surprising range of biological systems, from the distributed multi-brain architecture of octopuses to tiny lab-grown brain organoids. Researchers highlight five core principles that underpin how brains process information and navigate the world. Understanding these mechanisms sheds light on why biological intelligence, including human cognition, is inherently prone to error and uncertainty.
