Sonos interim CEO Tom Conrad addresses the fallout from the widely criticized app update, outlining steps taken to improve reliability, user experience, and internal operations. He acknowledges the company's missteps and emphasizes a renewed focus on customer satisfaction and the importance of Sonos in users' lives.
Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has delayed the enforcement of the Negative Option Rule, also known as the 'click-to-cancel' rule, which aims to make subscription cancellations as easy as signing up. The delay, extending enforcement to July 14, is due to the complexity of compliance. This article explores the implications of the delay and the original intent of the rule.
Continue Reading
Billy Evans, partner of convicted Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes, has launched a new blood-testing startup called Haemanthus. The company's premise and marketing tactics bear a striking resemblance to Theranos, raising concerns and attracting both investment and scrutiny.
Continue Reading
Rippling's recent $450 million Series G funding round, valuing the company at $16.8 billion, underscores its rapid growth and innovation in the workforce management sector. This article explores Rippling's comprehensive platform, which integrates HR, IT, and finance functionalities, and its plans for future expansion and product development.
Continue Reading
A Soviet spacecraft, Kosmos-482, launched in 1972 with the intention of landing on Venus, made an unexpected return to Earth after 53 years in space. Due to a booster malfunction, the spacecraft remained in Earth's orbit, eventually re-entering the atmosphere and splashing down in the Indian Ocean. This event serves as a reminder of the ambitious space exploration efforts during the Cold War era and the Soviet Union's focus on Venus through its Venera program.
Continue Reading
Quantum computing is an emerging field that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems beyond the capabilities of classical computers. This article provides a comprehensive overview of quantum computing, covering its fundamental concepts, potential applications, current challenges, and future outlook.
Continue Reading
Square has launched a new handheld payment scanner called Square Handheld, resembling a smartphone, designed to streamline mobile payments and inventory management for businesses of all sizes. Priced at $399, it integrates with Square's existing ecosystem, offering features like barcode scanning and a 16-megapixel camera. While biometric payment options are not currently planned, Square is exploring the potential of AI to enhance the device's capabilities.
Continue Reading
A detailed cost comparison between meal kits and grocery store ingredients reveals surprising insights into the true value of convenience, flavor, and meal planning in 2025.
Continue Reading
Haowang Guarantee, the internet's largest black market for crypto scams and money laundering, has shut down after Telegram purged thousands of accounts. This action, spurred by a WIRED inquiry and research from Elliptic, disrupts a marketplace that facilitated over $27 billion in illicit transactions. While Xinbi Guarantee attempts to relaunch, the future of these markets depends on Telegram's continued vigilance.
Continue Reading
Waymo recalled 1,200 robotaxis after collisions with gates and chains. A software update was issued to address the issue, following scrutiny from the NHTSA. This is not the first recall for Waymo, which has faced similar issues in the past.
Continue Reading
The Heybike Alpha is a surprisingly affordable mid-drive e-bike with impressive features and performance. It boasts a smooth ride, long battery life, and sturdy construction, making it suitable for both urban commutes and off-road adventures. While some minor quality concerns and a loud horn detract slightly, the Alpha offers excellent value for its price.
Continue Reading
Former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., 82, has received a diagnosis of aggressive, Stage 4 prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. The cancer is characterized by a Gleason score of 9 and is described as hormone-sensitive, which is expected to aid in its management. While incurable at this stage, experts note that such a condition can often be managed effectively for several years, allowing patients to maintain a reasonable quality of life. Mr. Biden's office stated that he and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his medical team.
Continue Reading
A report from Nikkei suggests that Oppo, the world's fourth-largest smartphone vendor, is developing its own high-end system-on-chips (SoCs) for future flagship devices, aiming for a 2023 or 2024 release using advanced 3nm process technology. This strategic shift mirrors moves by Apple, Samsung, and Google, highlighting a growing trend among major smartphone manufacturers to control their core silicon. The potential success of Oppo's chip development could significantly impact its current suppliers, primarily Qualcomm and MediaTek, and potentially see these custom chips appear in phones from sister brands like OnePlus, Vivo, and Realme.
Continue Reading
Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite, its new flagship system-on-a-chip for high-end smartphones. Borrowing the 'Elite' moniker from its laptop counterparts, the 8 Elite introduces a second-generation Oryon CPU, replacing the long-standing Kryo architecture. This shift, coupled with a new Adreno GPU and an upgraded Hexagon NPU, promises significant performance gains, enhanced on-device AI capabilities including multimodal support and advanced features like video object erasure, and desktop-like experiences on mobile devices. The chip also features the latest X80 5G modem. The first devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, with major flagships likely following in early 2025.
Continue Reading
Target announced a significant cut to its full-year sales forecast following a disappointing first quarter where it missed revenue and earnings estimates. The retailer attributed the weaker performance to a confluence of factors, including cautious consumer spending on discretionary items, uncertainty surrounding potential tariffs, and negative reactions to recent adjustments in its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Transactions and average spending per visit declined, reflecting broader struggles to regain market share and growth momentum. In response, Target is implementing leadership changes and establishing a new Enterprise Acceleration Office aimed at simplifying operations and speeding up its turnaround efforts. The company is also navigating the complex issue of tariffs, indicating potential price increases as a last resort while actively diversifying its supply chain away from China. Despite the headwinds, Target highlighted some areas of strength, such as growth in digital sales, success in specific product categories, and positive engagement with its Target Circle 360 membership program and limited-time designer collaborations.
Continue Reading
Following a landmark US court ruling, Apple has approved a Spotify iOS app update that enables users in the United States to purchase individual audiobooks and additional listening hours directly within the app. This eliminates the previous requirement to buy audiobooks or top-ups via the web, significantly improving the user experience and opening a new direct revenue channel for Spotify within the Apple ecosystem.
Continue Reading
In a sharp new filing, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ordered Apple to either approve Epic Games' Fortnite for the U.S. App Store or provide a legal explanation for its refusal. The judge, expressing clear frustration, questioned Apple's authority to ignore the court's previous injunction regarding external payment links and demanded the name of the Apple official responsible for compliance, signaling potential legal repercussions, including contempt charges, if the situation is not resolved swiftly.
Continue Reading
Recent leaks suggest Apple might introduce an 'iPhone 17 Air' in 2025, potentially replacing the Plus model. This rumored device is said to boast an impressively light weight, echoing the 'Air' moniker, but could come with a trade-off: a lackluster battery life. This summary explores the implications of these leaks, the potential positioning of the iPhone 17 Air within the lineup, the engineering challenges of balancing weight and battery, and what consumers might expect from this potentially new form factor.
Continue Reading
Monzo, once known primarily for its vibrant cards and travel features, is undergoing a significant transformation under CEO TS Anil, shifting from a 'cool' upstart to a mature, profitable financial institution. The bank has achieved its first annual profit, grown its customer base significantly in the UK, diversified its revenue streams beyond traditional fees, and expanded its product offerings. While speculation about an IPO persists, Anil emphasizes building a sustainable business with a strong UK focus, leveraging technology like AI, rather than prioritizing rapid, unfocused global expansion like the US market.
Continue Reading
Instagram is offering substantial financial incentives, reportedly up to $35,000 for some creators, to post videos on its short-form video platform, Reels. This initiative is part of Meta's broader $1 billion investment in creators and is seen as a direct challenge to the dominance of TikTok in the short-form video space. While payments vary significantly based on factors like follower count and view targets, the program highlights the intense competition among platforms to attract and retain popular creators.
Continue Reading
Disney+ has evolved beyond just kids' content, becoming a major streaming player with a vast library spanning Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic, and classic Disney Channel/ABC shows. This guide highlights the 55 best TV series currently available on the platform, from critically acclaimed dramas like 'Andor' and 'Daredevil: Born Again' to animated hits like 'Bluey' and 'X-Men '97', offering something for every viewer.
Continue Reading
The REI Anniversary Sale, the co-op's largest sale of the year, is underway, offering significant discounts on a wide range of outdoor gear perfect for summer adventures. This curated list highlights some of the best deals on WIRED-recommended tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, footwear, and apparel, providing expert insights to help you choose the right gear while saving money.
Continue Reading
A recent bombing at a Palm Springs fertility clinic, which resulted in five injuries and the suspect's death, has been linked by terrorism experts to antinatalism and promortalism – ideologies rejecting the value of life. The suspect's online footprint revealed 'anti-life' sentiments and a targeting of IVF as the 'epitome of pro-life ideology'. This incident highlights a growing concern among experts about the rise of nihilistic violence, often fueled by online subcultures that promote misanthropy, anti-social behavior, and violence as an outlet for personal struggles, as detailed in a recent report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.
Continue Reading
Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, has returned to using mechanical keyboards, specifically those with Cherry Blue switches, after a period of experimenting with quieter alternatives. This decision highlights the deep personal connection many developers and writers have with their input devices and sparks a discussion about the state of keyboard design. The article explores Torvalds' history of hardware choices, the unique appeal of tactile and auditory feedback from mechanical switches like the classic IBM Model M and modern Cherry Blues, and argues that despite its crucial role, the keyboard remains an underdeveloped interface lacking a standardized vocabulary for describing its feel and performance. It suggests that there is significant room for innovation in creating keyboards that offer the satisfying experience of mechanical switches without the disruptive noise, tailored to individual user preferences.
Continue Reading
Music streaming giant Spotify has filed an amicus brief in support of Epic Games, stating that its recent implementation of external payment links within its iOS app, mandated by the Epic v. Apple lawsuit ruling, has resulted in a significant increase in users upgrading to Premium subscriptions. This move follows a U.S. court order requiring Apple to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods outside the App Store, bypassing Apple's commission system. Spotify's internal data reportedly shows a substantial rise in conversion rates on iOS compared to Android, where similar information was already available, suggesting the change directly benefited their sales and enabled new product features like in-app audiobook purchases.
Continue Reading
Memorial Day weekend is a prime time for significant discounts across various product categories. WIRED's editors have sifted through numerous offers to highlight the most valuable deals on items they have personally tested and recommend, spanning technology, home goods, and other useful gear. This guide details top savings on dashcams, Bluetooth speakers, noise-canceling headphones, bedding, washable rugs, meal kits, and more, providing insights into why these products stand out and how much you can save.
Continue Reading
Google's Android ecosystem president, Sameer Samat, outlines a multi-faceted strategy to revitalize the platform and challenge Apple's strong hold, especially among US teens. Key initiatives include a significant design refresh in Android 16, the launch of the Android XR platform for smart glasses with AI capabilities powered by Gemini, and deeper integration of Gemini across the entire Android ecosystem, from phones to cars and watches. Samat highlights the potential of AI, citing examples like Gemini assisting with everyday tasks via live camera mode. While acknowledging past challenges and ongoing regulatory scrutiny, Google emphasizes Android's open nature and its commitment to establishing privacy and security standards for emerging technologies like smart glasses. The company is also hinting at improved interoperability between Android phones and Chromebooks, potentially paving the way for future hardware like a Pixel laptop, as it seeks to build a cohesive ecosystem to rival Apple's.
Continue Reading
Dyson introduces the PencilVac, its slimmest and most powerful cordless vacuum to date. Featuring a new Hyperdymium 104k motor, a two-stage linear dust-separation system, and omnidirectional Fluffycone cleaner heads, this vacuum is designed for tight spaces and efficient cleaning. It's also the first Dyson cordless vacuum to connect to the MyDyson app for enhanced control and maintenance guidance. While currently available in select Asian markets, it's slated for a US release next year. This hands-on preview explores its key features, performance, and place within Dyson's extensive vacuum lineup.
Continue Reading
Samsung has announced a new line of refrigerators for 2025 that integrate a Peltier module alongside a traditional compressor. This hybrid cooling system is designed to minimize temperature fluctuations, optimize internal space, and extend the freshness of stored food. The Peltier module is primarily used during periods of high cooling demand, supplementing the compressor to quickly restore optimal temperatures. This technology, previously seen in smaller cooling applications, marks a significant step in major appliance design, promising benefits in both performance and capacity.
Continue Reading
Strava, the popular social fitness platform, has acquired two specialized training apps: running-focused Runna and cycling-focused The Breakaway. These moves highlight Strava's strategic intent to integrate advanced, AI-powered personalized training plans directly into its ecosystem, aiming to provide more value to its users and solidify its position in the competitive fitness technology landscape. While integration details are still emerging, Strava has indicated that the acquired apps may remain standalone while their features enhance the core Strava experience, maintaining its commitment to an open API for third-party developers.
Continue Reading
Nintendo has released the first update for its Alarmo alarm clock, adding seven new scenes based on the beloved racing game, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This update allows users to customize their wake-up experience with visuals and sounds inspired by iconic tracks and items from the game, offering a unique blend of gaming nostalgia and practical functionality.
Continue Reading
