Halliday has introduced its G2 smart glasses, a wearable device designed to assist users in professional settings. Unlike many smart glasses on the market, the G2 notably omits a camera, focusing instead on audio capabilities. The glasses can listen to workplace meetings and generate summaries for the user. This approach positions the G2 as a privacy-conscious alternative in the growing smart eyewear space.
WIRED has published its updated roundup of the top smartwatches available in 2026, covering devices from major brands including Apple and Google. The list also features hybrid watches, which blend traditional watch aesthetics with smart functionality. All featured devices were hands-on tested by WIRED's team before being recommended. The selected wearables are highlighted for their ability to keep users connected while reducing dependence on smartphones.
A curated selection of smart home accessories aims to improve a home's exterior appearance while adding automation features. The lineup includes smart locks, lighting solutions, and other connected devices designed for outdoor use. These products are chosen for blending functionality with aesthetics, ensuring they complement rather than clash with existing home designs. The guide targets homeowners looking to modernize their property's curb appeal through technology in 2026.
Abdul El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and progressive Democrat, is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan. The state has recently been at the center of significant public health emergencies, including wildfire smoke exposure and disease outbreaks. El-Sayed spoke with WIRED about his plans to address the underlying forces driving these crises. He argues that his medical and public health background uniquely positions him to tackle such challenges if elected to the Senate.
Over a hundred Stanford University students staged a walkout during their graduation ceremony last month to protest Google's involvement in military contracts and its deals with ICE. The protest targeted commencement speaker Sundar Pichai, who serves as CEO of Google's parent company Alphabet. Student organizers Amanda Campos and Eva Jones spoke out about the motivations behind the demonstration. The students compared the situation to a modern-day draft, expressing concern over the ethical implications of Google's government and defense partnerships.
A widespread narrative has emerged across the United States claiming that children have lost the ability to read. However, Mississippi has become a notable exception, demonstrating measurable improvements in student literacy outcomes. The state's progress, often referred to as the 'Mississippi Miracle,' has drawn national attention from educators and policymakers. Central to its approach is an emphasis on reading comprehension rather than simply decoding words. Experts point to Mississippi's model as evidence that the broader 'reading crisis' framing may be oversimplified.
Security researchers have warned that a hidden alarm device, installed by dealerships in millions of vehicles across the United States, carries serious cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The devices were fitted into cars during the sales process and often left in place even when buyers did not request or want them. Attackers exploiting the flaws could remotely unlock, track, or completely disable affected vehicles. Owners and dealerships are being urged to apply available patches immediately to mitigate the risk.
The US Army has alerted its members via email that they are consuming their allocated AI tokens at an unsustainable rate. Soldiers and personnel were urged to reduce their use of AI tools to conserve remaining capacity. The warning highlights the growing reliance on AI systems within the military. The Army has not publicly disclosed the specific AI platform involved or the total token allocation provided to its members.
Etsy, once celebrated as a marketplace for unique handmade and independent crafts, is facing a significant decline in its reputation among sellers and buyers. The platform has become increasingly saturated with mass-produced items and AI-generated knockoffs, straying far from its original identity. This shift has prompted many independent sellers to abandon the platform in search of alternatives. However, not all customers appear troubled by the change, with some continuing to shop on Etsy despite the diluted product quality.
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Card, a new cash-back credit card designed specifically for loyal Samsung users. The card is integrated directly into the Samsung Wallet app, making it easily accessible for existing Samsung device owners. It enters a competitive market of branded credit cards, positioning itself as Samsung's direct rival to Apple's Apple Card. The Galaxy Card is tailored to reward customers who are already embedded in the Samsung ecosystem.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has denied issuing any apology to Taylor Farms, a supplier linked to an ongoing cyclospora outbreak causing diarrheal illness. The agency emphasized that a voluntary recall issued on July 17 by Taylor Farms remains in effect. Cyclospora is a parasitic infection that typically causes prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms. The FDA's clarification appears to counter claims or reports suggesting the agency had walked back its stance toward the supplier.
New estimates show that spectator travel to host cities accounts for roughly 80 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by the FIFA World Cup. The findings highlight how mass movement of fans to tournament venues is the dominant driver of the event's carbon footprint. Large-scale sporting events like the World Cup attract millions of visitors from across the globe, making transportation a significant environmental concern. The data underscores growing pressure on major event organizers to address travel-related emissions as part of broader sustainability efforts.
A new study has found that even mild sleep deprivation may contribute to weight gain in individuals. Researchers suggest that insufficient sleep raises the likelihood of developing obesity-related conditions. These include serious health issues such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The findings highlight the broader health consequences of consistently poor or inadequate sleep.
Wired has compiled a list of 35 board games recommended for family game nights. The selection spans a wide variety of genres, including monster-themed, kitten-themed, and strategy games. The roundup is aimed at families looking for entertaining alternatives to screen time. These games are intended to bring energy and engagement to evenings at home when digital devices have lost their appeal.
A writer spent a year testing various popular home mushroom-growing methods to find out which ones are genuinely effective. The experiments ranged from simple countertop kits to more unconventional setups like a bucket of straw kept in a bathroom. Not all attempts were successful — some trials resulted in mold growth rather than edible mushrooms. The hands-on review aims to give beginners a realistic picture of what home mushroom cultivation involves. The findings offer practical guidance for anyone looking to start growing mushrooms at home in 2026.
Several Chinese companies linked to the ebike brand Aipas reached a settlement in July with Amazon and safety certification firm UL. The lawsuit alleged that the companies had provided misleading safety information about their products. The case centered on the use of fraudulent or misrepresented safety certifications on the Amazon marketplace. The settlement highlights a broader and ongoing problem of counterfeit safety labels on ebikes sold online. Experts warn that falsely certified ebikes pose serious fire and injury risks to consumers.
Young runners in the United States are achieving speeds once considered exceptional, with performances that were rare even among elite adult athletes becoming increasingly common. The trend, dubbed 'trackflation,' describes the rapid inflation of speed standards across youth and teen track competitions. Middle school athletes are now reportedly outpacing college-level runners, signaling a dramatic shift in competitive benchmarks. Factors driving this boom include greater youth participation in track, improved training methods, and a more competitive culture around the sport. The four-minute mile, long considered a landmark achievement, is becoming nearly routine among top young runners.
The ACLU has developed a new legal toolkit aimed at attorneys practicing in Massachusetts. The resource is designed to help lawyers identify and challenge surveillance technologies that law enforcement agencies use to build criminal cases. The toolkit covers a range of tools, including facial recognition systems and AI-generated police reports. A key concern driving the initiative is the tendency of police departments to conceal their use of such technologies from defendants and the public.
A new analysis has found that more than one in eight apps designed for US service members contain foreign-origin code. Some of this code traces back to companies based in countries that the Pentagon officially classifies as adversaries, including China and Russia. The study is described as the first of its kind to examine the presence of such code within apps marketed to military personnel. The findings raise significant national security concerns about potential vulnerabilities in software used by active US troops.
A recent Spotify update automatically enables video playback for songs and podcasts that have a visual component. This change affects users who prefer a purely audio experience, and can also drain device battery and consume more mobile data. Fortunately, Spotify provides settings that allow users to disable the video playback feature. Turning off this default can help conserve both data usage and battery life while listening.
