id
stringlengths
64
64
published
stringlengths
19
25
title
stringlengths
7
262
description
stringlengths
6
54.4k
link
stringlengths
31
227
category
stringclasses
6 values
image
stringlengths
3
247
7cfb6b7448bd5b05aca27a7b7600d89e37f1cf258fc209f40bdc56db16e9ba2f
2026-01-07T19:04:05+00:00
Leonardo da Vinci's DNA may be embedded in his art — and scientists think they've managed to extract some
In a first, scientists have extracted DNA from a Renaissance-era drawing attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, but they can't be sure that the genetic material belongs to the Italian polymath.
https://www.livescience.com/health/genetics/leonardo-da-vincis-dna-may-be-embedded-in-his-art-and-scientists-think-theyve-managed-to-extract-some
Science
https://cdn.mos.cms.futu…6aB7-1280-80.jpg
688ee025e4c9f06bb74c1212018285b06f8a1f3eb8b94ce2722363fa876ee0de
2026-01-07T18:37:51+00:00
NASA telescope combines 100 maps of the universe into one: 'every astronomer is going to find something of value here'
NASA's SPHEREx telescope unveiled its first full-sky map of the universe, combining more than 100 infrared observations into one dazzling mosaic.
https://www.livescience.com/space/astronomy/nasa-telescope-combines-100-maps-of-the-universe-into-one-every-astronomer-is-going-to-find-something-of-value-here
Science
https://cdn.mos.cms.futu…TNR-1280-80.webp
9807a1c12fc875d725fba1947da93ecc5a1a62570d0c16d760a4ab58858af1bd
2026-01-07T16:53:01+00:00
9,500-year-old cremation pyre of a hunter-gatherer woman is the oldest of its kind in the world
Hunter-gatherers cremated the headless body of a woman in a pyre around 9,500 years ago in what is now Malawi.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/9-500-year-old-cremation-pyre-of-a-hunter-gatherer-woman-is-the-oldest-of-its-kind-in-the-world
Science
https://cdn.mos.cms.futu…qqhQ-1280-80.png
7a404c5afb17e7362cf4cdf346d4eba45ddc04d1c23f3e4861b8c1de9c7dbc5e
2026-01-07T16:40:38+00:00
Huge ice dome in Greenland vanished 7,000 years ago — melting at temperatures we're racing toward today
Scientists drilled to the bottom of Greenland's 1,600-foot deep Prudhoe Dome and found it disappeared in the early Holocene, when temperatures were close to what we're predicted to reach by the end of the century.
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/arctic/huge-ice-dome-in-greenland-vanished-7-000-years-ago-melting-at-temperatures-were-racing-toward-today
Science
https://cdn.mos.cms.futu…o7Zn-1280-80.png
7ff2d997686674818c9d05ec70c9b91b61934daf0fe9045b2e96bac6bafe7f84
2026-01-07T16:23:28+00:00
One of the last Siberian shamans was an 18th-century woman whose parents were related, DNA study reveals
A new DNA analysis of the mummies of historical Indigenous Yakuts reveals resistance to 17th-century Russian conquest.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/one-of-the-last-siberian-shamans-was-an-18th-century-woman-whose-parents-were-related-dna-study-reveals
Science
https://cdn.mos.cms.futu…dyiU-1280-80.png
b3eab0df5b9651d260745f7d3a68a2e8560ac0cf7315dba5f47a9eaf195739eb
2026-01-07T16:00:00+00:00
Last common ancestor of modern humans and Neanderthals possibly found in Casablanca, Morocco
A collection of bones from Casablanca holds important new clues to the origins of modern humans and Neanderthals.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/human-evolution/last-common-ancestor-of-modern-humans-and-neanderthals-possibly-found-in-casablanca-morocco
Science
https://cdn.mos.cms.futu…i4dg-1280-80.png
229f4bd3744b650a0185176258681cdb8b0b594876a5e82332d2dea271dbf689
2026-01-07T16:00:00+00:00
'Mitochondrial transfer' into nerves could relieve chronic pain, early study hints
A new study reveals that nerve cells receive periodic infusions of mitochondria from neighboring cells — and this may point to a new way of treating nerve pain.
https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscience/mitochondrial-transfer-into-nerves-could-relieve-chronic-pain-early-study-hints
Science
https://cdn.mos.cms.futu…NJga-1280-80.jpg
640598a4498429a76e3c6069d5bb89188d788eac43d707aaf78118a7328be412
2026-01-07T11:00:00+00:00
Diagnostic dilemma: Giant 'stone' in a man's bladder looked like an ostrich egg
A man visited a hospital because of bladder discomfort, and his doctors discovered a remarkably large bladder stone.
https://www.livescience.com/health/diagnostic-dilemma-giant-stone-in-a-mans-bladder-looked-like-an-ostrich-egg
Science
https://cdn.mos.cms.futu…SvT5-1280-80.jpg
f5f88dd16f2cb18a76b40c840e7f132603562a203cb78e62faf11c522866a558
2026-01-13T00:06:38+00:00
New Proposed Legislation Would Let Self-Driving Cars Operate in New York State
New York governor Kathy Hochul says she will propose a new law allowing limited autonomous vehicle pilots in smaller cities. Full-blown services could be next.
https://www.wired.com/story/proposed-legislation-self-driving-cars-in-new-york-state/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…r-2250123135.jpg
dc822d137cd782957db8e20b7c314909f5aa87f934c4d396e9f94abe9d6dff0a
2026-01-12T22:42:45+00:00
Minnesota Sues to Stop ICE ‘Invasion’
The state of Minnesota, along with the Twin Cities, have sued the US government and several officials to halt the flood of agents carrying out an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation.
https://www.wired.com/story/minnesota-sues-to-stop-ice-invasion/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…y-2255954487.jpg
f20831e6b46bab9f73d0b31718cbdbe57d2d6b14040467063035ca3017de0829
2026-01-12T22:11:11+00:00
FBI Agent’s Sworn Testimony Contradicts Claims ICE’s Jonathan Ross Made Under Oath
The testimony also calls into question whether Ross failed to follow his training during the incident in which he reportedly shot and killed Minnesota citizen Renee Good.
https://www.wired.com/story/fbi-agents-sworn-testimony-contradicts-claims-ices-jonathan-ross-made-under-oath/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…n-2255318195.jpg
114da399e88613a59ddf8662bb03783e0fe75cdc749a35a34324bf3be465b6f8
2026-01-12T19:14:52+00:00
Snag a Feature-Packed Gaming Headset for Under $100
Corsair’s updated Void Wireless sports Dolby Atmos and a lightweight, breathable fit.
https://www.wired.com/story/corsair-void-wireless-v2-deal-126/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…Under%20$100.png
45ebdbd0079b750fcd5afb8be7ca2329ebd6b40643433554dc6503d7090186a2
2026-01-12T19:03:15+00:00
Right-Wing Influencers Have Flooded Minneapolis
Clips from creators in Minnesota have become primary evidence in attempts by the right wing to justify ICE’s surge on American cities.
https://www.wired.com/story/right-wing-influencers-have-flooded-minneapolis/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…IKTOK-AWARDS.jpg
b1ec8c7802bf2e436920227d5fc1600d07690c7fa2715133e91df92906f3e675
2026-01-12T18:48:22+00:00
GoFundMe Ignores Own Rules by Hosting a Legal-Defense Fund for the ICE Agent Who Killed Renee Good
The fundraiser for the ICE agent in the Renee Good killing has stayed online in seeming breach of GoFundMe’s own terms of service, prompting questions about selective enforcement.
https://www.wired.com/story/gofundme-ice-jonathan-ross-renee-good-fundraiser/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…s-2254518462.jpg
8080cb61c5f7f0e890aad3a7c9faa049c815fb1f108eeef4efb6cb384d8c1d59
2026-01-12T18:24:19+00:00
MacKenzie Scott Donates $45 Million to the Trevor Project
Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife has made a donation to the LGBTQ+ advocacy group that the organization calls “transformational.”
https://www.wired.com/story/mackenzie-scott-45-million-dollar-trevor-project-donation/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…e-2100037713.jpg
d1d466546480fa9bf821d52537b4bcc288331fdf6717e11606a6a78957b1a38c
2026-01-12T12:00:00+00:00
Best Travel Cameras (2026), Tested and Reviewed
We’ve found the best travel cameras—from point-and-shoot to full-frame—to help you bring home the perfect vacation photos.
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-travel-cameras/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…el%20Cameras.png
d1a23a66a373960ad4921e50e7c1d7c3a27836be6421bdfdacb08fc46d5cb572
2026-01-12T11:34:00+00:00
10 Best Pet Cameras (2026), Tested With Our Pets
Whether you’re near or far, keep an eye on your fur baby with our favorite pet cameras.
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-pet-cameras/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…and%20Cats2_.png
a05815b901048dfdb061351089eeefbd22d143ba34d8b88b97968c3e4654d289
2026-01-12T11:00:00+00:00
Hyte X50 PC Case Review: Computers Should Be Cute
Hyte’s rounded glass case brings a fun, bubbly aesthetic to your desk.
https://www.wired.com/review/hyte-x50/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…%20PC%20Case.png
0c3da98e660e1eb1fd7a7f8bd74963a814a8a0cc62f0ca76dab1762808701bc4
2026-01-11T12:30:00+00:00
16 Best Heat Protectant Sprays for Wet and Dry Hair (2026)
I've spent almost a year testing dozens of heat protectants for hair. Whether you’re blow-drying, curling, or straightening, these are the best formulas I've found.
https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-heat-protectants-for-hair/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…20Protectors.png
091336287bf088a19b2d5be473347b195a152c6551f953ad1f16c4610c942993
2026-01-11T12:00:00+00:00
Bluesound Pulse Cinema Review: A Pretty Sonos Alternative
This is a promising stand-alone Dolby Atmos soundbar for music fans, but it still needs a few software tweaks.
https://www.wired.com/review/bluesound-pulse-cinema/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…a%20Soundbar.png
c893e42674f3460d08732d3b69559db0dd0ba9d3ce742f2c88e4d1f3b696e60b
2026-01-11T11:30:00+00:00
Sony A7V Review: The Best Overall Mirrorless Camera
Sony’s latest full frame mirrorless is a hybrid powerhouse with features to impress both video and still photographers.
https://www.wired.com/review/sony-a7v-mirrorless-camera/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…20Gilbertson.jpg
961ed4a097c741fd0f8ea7334ed0b259b4474a9e407ec1a8e86d657a7bc1fb85
2026-01-11T11:00:00+00:00
Want to Stop Doomscrolling? You Might Need a Sleep Coach
Traditionally sleep coaches treat babies. But now more and more anxious, screen-attached grownups are the ones who need nursing.
https://www.wired.com/story/your-next-job-sleep-coach/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…-coach-final.jpg
96d3e8e5a23e057a128c79253fb6c8266ffb7b35b97695dc11a4163447004eb9
2026-01-11T10:36:00+00:00
Best Side-Sleeper Mattresses 2026: Picked by a Sleep Science Coach
We’ve tested hundreds of the top hybrid, memory foam, and cooling mattresses to find the best combination of support and pressure relief.
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-mattress-for-side-sleeper/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…e%20Sleepers.png
642426cd83e499a0fe9e23f54b6cc49bf239742b56f418062bde12570c2033cf
2026-01-11T10:00:00+00:00
The Danger of Reducing America’s Venezuela Invasion to a 60-Second Video
January 3 marked the return of US military intervention in Latin America. While the events unfolded between Caracas and Brooklyn, social networks had already fabricated their own reality.
https://www.wired.com/story/the-danger-of-reducing-a-americas-venezuela-invasion-to-a-60-second-video/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/photos/696114b4116fbaa7924a7824/master/pass/2253841272
f2cc6341c091598eb3b291b8421b01f9f3f125b78f2cc13216a35f9ee38ee1d1
2026-01-10T12:34:00+00:00
Best Deals for New Year’s Resolutions: Sleep, Fitness, and More (2026)
Whether you’re hitting the gym or tracking your schedule, these discounts on WIRED-approved gear can help.
https://www.wired.com/story/new-years-resolution-deals-2026/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…0Resolutions.png
640ed86aa4bf77d080be2ffb5567447c5ef09c355c72e5dad193faedb196a5ad
2026-01-10T12:00:00+00:00
Fujifilm X-E5 Mirrorless Camera Review: Compact Color Science in a Retro Package
Did you want the TikTok-popular X100VI, but with an interchangeable lens? The Fujifilm X-E5 has you covered.
https://www.wired.com/review/fujifilm-xe5-mirrorless-camera/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…20Gilbertson.jpg
1428c1c1d6df21f4270b12ae3502705a792c1cc8d7f9a58366aebe82852a0f80
2026-01-10T11:30:00+00:00
Shokz OpenFit Pro Review: ANC on Open Earbuds?
True ANC on a set of open-ear earbuds would be a game changer. Shokz's OpenFit Pro give us a taste of what that might be like.
https://www.wired.com/review/shokz-openfit-pro/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…ss%20Earbuds.png
e28c308fdba8c7cbf21b1a3999cd951d41c1e9ea6d6de26077c3587313182e92
2026-01-10T11:30:00+00:00
ICE Can Now Spy on Every Phone in Your Neighborhood
Plus: Iran shuts down its internet amid sweeping protests, an alleged scam boss gets extradited to China, and more.
https://www.wired.com/story/security-news-this-week-ice-can-now-spy-on-every-phone-in-your-neighborhood/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…ood-Security.jpg
3fb558848fa57f660cc11d47d204a370f0b58a43056a8fca51238d520aa6ad2e
2026-01-10T11:01:00+00:00
12 Best Coffee Subscriptions (2026), Tested by Caffeine Hounds
These services deliver freshly roasted, delicious coffee picks right to your door—each with its own twist.
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-coffee-subscriptions/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…%20in%202026.png
a7e4fe02a89c430d1a7c20d990c2bcab9e4a9aaf608180f0a05d2ef75074ebb2
2026-01-10T10:30:00+00:00
Where Are All the New Cars?
New cars were scant at CES this year, largely because the center of gravity for the auto world has moved—technologically and geographically—to China.
https://www.wired.com/story/where-were-all-the-new-cars-at-ces-2026/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…Gear-Photo-1.jpg
824ecd657ceedd6d1a6d4d70243f5a289d1c5070708c97c188b896d2b9d8224f
2026-01-10T01:11:25+00:00
OpenAI Is Asking Contractors to Upload Work From Past Jobs to Evaluate the Performance of AI Agents
To prepare AI agents for office work, the company is asking contractors to upload projects from past jobs, leaving it to them to strip out confidential and personally identifiable information.
https://www.wired.com/story/openai-contractor-upload-real-work-documents-ai-agents/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…ess-87835485.jpg
3b5ae6ec57ffe093a6dcac06ff9bc90e0c300459b0e1946f24ca891cb153ed49
2026-01-10T00:23:08+00:00
Grok Is Being Used to Mock and Strip Women in Hijabs and Saris
A substantial number of AI images generated or edited with Grok are targeting women in religious and cultural clothing.
https://www.wired.com/story/grok-is-being-used-to-mock-and-strip-women-in-hijabs-and-sarees/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…muslim_women.jpg
f18bc4cd55ba3349dbe347aa2ed7084b4b68e66e114c07411cded05954d973d6
2026-01-09T22:13:58+00:00
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Is Discounted on Amazon
The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 gets marked down across a variety of colors, sizes, and feature sets.
https://www.wired.com/story/samsung-galaxy-watch8-deal-126/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…0on%20Amazon.png
32b1af863c83f404e76f8a3aa7c76eb6082c60c2550866e5052f2f5d65dde580
2026-01-09T21:48:34+00:00
Solawave Wand Fans: Don't Miss This Buy One, Get One Free Sale
Double up on LED therapy, because sharing is caring.
https://www.wired.com/story/solawave-wand-fans-this-buy-one-get-one-free-deal-is-for-you/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…%20for%20You.png
c3788f9b0e9cecf2201bd807fded95b6ca2c03789888f20c3764c53154d1cf12
2026-01-09T20:59:12+00:00
Meta Is Making a Big Bet on Nuclear With Oklo
Meta will finance Oklo’s purchase of uranium for its reactors. It’s a massive vote of confidence for both the startup and nuclear power, but challenges remain.
https://www.wired.com/story/meta-is-making-a-big-bet-on-nuclear-with-oklo/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…s-1323182197.jpg
93f476898bd430f91d7a37babbd259a7f1ecd39af5d94e86a5b253fc87b3b479
2026-01-09T16:00:00+00:00
Silicon Valley Billionaires Panic Over California’s Proposed Wealth Tax
Larry Page’s apparent Florida move highlights how seriously the ultra-rich are taking a one-time tax aimed at extreme wealth inequality.
https://www.wired.com/story/backchannel-silicon-valley-billionaires-california-taxes/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…s-2196805267.jpg
1b963c36b211be3107dcbf78fd769f69dc47fe67a4928db495886c41f8bfcd06
2026-01-09T15:19:18+00:00
X Didn’t Fix Grok's ‘Undressing’ Problem. It Just Makes People Pay for It
X is allowing only “verified” users to create images with Grok. Experts say it represents the “monetization of abuse”—and anyone can still generate images on Grok’s app and website.
https://www.wired.com/story/x-didnt-fix-groks-undressing-problem-it-just-makes-people-pay-for-it/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…l-2148556867.jpg
daa2058f18c362891cbee57e3fa46b33ea87395a996138f35756bb949820179c
2026-01-09T12:00:00+00:00
Conservative Lawmakers Want Porn Taxes. Critics Say They’re Unconstitutional
Alabama passed a 10 percent porn tax last year, as Utah and Pennsylvania eye similar bills. Half the country has enacted age-verification laws to prevent minors from viewing porn.
https://www.wired.com/story/conservative-lawmakers-want-porn-taxes-critics-say-theyre-unconstitutional/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…nstitutional.jpg
e96fb301e798dd40822aa21e3a97d391fabde05b44fcdb6f5661e75680777e01
2026-01-09T11:30:00+00:00
‘Physical AI’ Is Coming for Your Car
What the latest tech-marketing buzzword has to say about the future of automotive.
https://www.wired.com/story/physical-ai-is-coming-for-your-car/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…202026%20(1).jpg
b917cb2a7b0614500a6958769f3d1719b03987b661f94e94691a85c22fc9a110
2026-01-09T11:02:00+00:00
Burtran Nano-Oxy Smart Air Purifier: Safe Sleep?
This negative-oxygen-ion-generating purifier claims to create a “forestlike atmosphere” in your bedroom.
https://www.wired.com/review/burtran-nano-oxy-hepa-14-air-purifier/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…r%20Purifier.png
d4741f590cf463b644d24e2deef25f1c7e03dad9eb63de0c471a6c97db07431e
2026-01-09T11:00:00+00:00
Crispr Pioneer Launches Startup to Make Tailored Gene-Editing Treatments
Aurora Therapeutics, cofounded by Nobel Prize–winning scientist Jennifer Doudna, plans to use gene editing and a new FDA regulatory pathway to commercialize treatments for rare diseases.
https://www.wired.com/story/crispr-pioneer-launches-startup-to-make-tailored-gene-editing-treatments/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…a-2246476195.jpg
0fe683ceed10727450181229c4a80b5023716926d95ef05c3ee332083654b30c
2026-01-09T08:00:00+00:00
The Oceans Just Keep Getting Hotter
For the eighth year in a row, the world’s oceans absorbed a record-breaking amount of heat in 2025. It was equivalent to the energy it would take to boil 2 billion Olympic swimming pools.
https://www.wired.com/story/the-oceans-just-keep-getting-hotter/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…ean-Temps-V3.jpg
9bab1f66b3cca4a89ee41be4661a7be47fb28f96c93becbb30dd34d8e47d49cd
2026-01-09T06:30:00+00:00
NZXT Discount Codes: 50% Off in January 2026
Save 50%, plus up to $250 with NZXT promo codes and discounts.
https://www.wired.com/story/nzxt-discount-code/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…oupons-R2_10.png
4e6343a6a3aeb93004899c620c454a48cbe777ae507e3758a58a1347b98adb7f
2026-01-09T06:30:00+00:00
Skullcandy Discount Codes and Deals: Up to 47% Off Top Products
Save on Skullcandy audio with 47% off Crusher Evo headphones, 36% off Crusher ANC 2 noise-canceling headphones, and more with top deals.
https://www.wired.com/story/skullcandy-discount-code/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…oupons-R2_13.png
882734621e7ed9f6ac9f893091aae56cdc22002f56484009e5fe5341e04a1edd
2026-01-09T03:19:26+00:00
ICE Agent Who Reportedly Shot Renee Good Was a Firearms Trainer, per Testimony
Jonathan Ross told a federal court in December about his professional background, including “hundreds” of encounters with drivers during enforcement actions, according to testimony obtained by WIRED.
https://www.wired.com/story/ice-agent-jonathan-ross-renee-good-shooting-firearms-trainer-testimony/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…y-2255294225.jpg
ebaacf167ee83db5f4b4e318453f484705b0ec3557aa9fe7b713230f1d0f1ab0
2026-01-08T21:25:40+00:00
Why a Chinese Robot Vacuum Company Spun Off Not One but Two EV Brands
The pivot doesn’t look out of place at CES, where Chinese electronics companies are increasingly applying their manufacturing prowess to new industries.
https://www.wired.com/story/made-in-china-what-chinese-companies-showed-off-at-ces/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…s-2255036816.jpg
d6922c4a87237c618ebdf0d6cf7ff390e9bee6cab145188be06614ba100d3d5e
2026-01-08T20:25:32+00:00
Why Are Grok and X Still Available in App Stores?
Elon Musk’s chatbot has been used to generate thousands of sexualized images of adults and apparent minors. Apple and Google have removed other “nudify” apps—but continue to host X and Grok.
https://www.wired.com/story/x-grok-app-store-nudify-csam-apple-google-content-moderation/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…s-2255064607.jpg
8efb4f26eac2ceb73714c11e781f788cfc73ccb0a9b2a785c1774e65bf471f0e
2026-01-08T20:17:12+00:00
MAGA Is Already Rewriting the ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
The federal government’s narrative of the Minneapolis shooting conflicts wildly with video footage of the incident shared online.
https://www.wired.com/story/maga-trump-rewriting-ice-shooting-minneapolis/
Technology
https://media.wired.com/…s-2255109760.jpg
858151a613e19098ca80d878f0ac5430e1207ed6b95bc13f2d04a8a32f144762
2026-01-13T04:00:00+00:00
Meta-backed Hupo finds growth after pivot to AI sales coaching from mental wellness
Hupo, backed by Meta, pivoted from mental wellness to AI sales coaching for banks and insurers, and secured a $10M Series A led by DST Global
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/meta-backed-hupo-finds-growth-after-pivot-to-ai-sales-coaching-from-mental-wellness/
Technology
svg
6731dc21accc58ce2266c146286da8b92b59e0f572fb6888e0316182c84af55d
2026-01-13T01:00:00+00:00
More than 100 new tech unicorns were minted in 2025 — here they are
Using data from Crunchbase and PitchBook, TechCrunch tracked down the VC-backed startups that became unicorns so far this year.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/at-least-36-new-tech-unicorns-were-minted-in-2025-so-far/
Technology
svg
73490b456796decf42a353b6a43dc5d0bbb9326c20cdbc94ec6bfeae7a2902c5
2026-01-13T00:04:19+00:00
OpenAI buys tiny health records startup Torch for, reportedly, $100M
AI health records startup Torch will be using its tech for OpenAI's new ChatGPT Health, according to co-founder Ilya Abyzov.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/openai-buys-tiny-health-records-startup-torch-for-reportedly-100m/
Technology
svg
8490b606b0f435116563d9bf690cc25666626ced08aaafee2096cbb7442eb578
2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00
Hands-on with Bee, Amazon’s latest AI wearable
We tried Amazon's new AI wearable Bee. It's not for pro users yet, but more features are expected this year.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/hands-on-with-bee-amazons-latest-ai-wearable/
Technology
svg
f23a1c9578d687abdb1680e2d2b976eb91a1ecac9395f24598551ceb08db32ef
2026-01-12T21:55:44+00:00
Why Amazon bought Bee, an AI wearable
Amazon explains where its wearable Bee fits in and whether it will merge with Alexa.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/why-amazon-bought-bee-an-ai-wearable/
Technology
svg
749cebd1a38a07a4e336f51a5bb55b96c2e17114087ed8d0b9d8d16a43bf2d4e
2026-01-12T21:44:43+00:00
Mark Zuckerberg says Meta is launching its own AI infrastructure initiative
Meta is ramping up its efforts to build out its AI capacity — Zuckerberg said the company intended to drastically expand its energy footprint in the coming years.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/mark-zuckerberg-says-meta-is-launching-its-own-ai-infrastructure-initiative/
Technology
svg
2bb247e7ac17bffc75650a29bca532600106462a014676652fd64b351964919e
2026-01-12T20:48:21+00:00
Anthropic announces Claude for Healthcare following OpenAI’s ChatGPT Health reveal
Anthropic's Claude for Healthcare is unveiled about a week after OpenAI announced its ChatGPT Health product.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/anthropic-announces-claude-for-healthcare-following-openais-chatgpt-health-reveal/
Technology
svg
6c3043a5369b43a62e2ea70e570aa33548a3e3ea4ee0eb28bfd21d848969e478
2026-01-12T20:38:44+00:00
Pebble founder says his new company is ‘not a startup’
Pebble's founder talks about how his new company is doing things differently.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/pebble-founder-says-his-new-company-is-not-a-startup/
Technology
svg
3a8ecd2713ef72d875b12858531feeb71d501e0b43a9db02b195f917adbcfea0
2026-01-12T19:30:00+00:00
Anthropic’s new Cowork tool offers Claude Code without the code
Built into the Claude Desktop app, Cowork lets users designate a specific folder where Claude can read or modify files, with further instructions given through the standard chat interface.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/anthropics-new-cowork-tool-offers-claude-code-without-the-code/
Technology
svg
ab46153539df7f0c1127f647e20bf2ce05961d555e803f4ca8d0404ea0db28b6
2026-01-12T19:23:13+00:00
Trump’s EPA plans to ignore health effects of air pollution
The Trump administration plans to stop assigning value to human life when analyzing the costs and benefits of air pollution controls.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/trumps-epa-plans-to-ignore-health-effects-of-air-pollution/
Technology
svg
a3cbcacebec768fc374a68ceb6ecdf79b8680fb2775b4ba2f3407e8ed4d0a5e0
2026-01-12T19:20:05+00:00
Amazon says 97% of its devices can support Alexa+
Amazon is counting on its Alexa footprint to help it gain traction in the consumer AI race.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/amazon-says-97-of-its-devices-can-support-alexa/
Technology
svg
6689db385e1b71f387a5022ab714f353039a8d4d398c8965ea5223440b5ca1d5
2026-01-12T18:14:10+00:00
Fintech firm Betterment confirms data breach after hackers send fake crypto scam notification to users
Hackers gained access to some Betterment customers’ personal information through a social engineering attack, then targeted some of them with a crypto-related phishing message.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/fintech-firm-betterment-confirms-data-breach-after-hackers-send-fake-crypto-scam-notification-to-users/
Technology
svg
ddc8885b4c01d858ab41b8216ad9eb0f1592aa1462ab72ad1c9b6c47074689ee
2026-01-12T17:39:25+00:00
Developers have made $550B on Apple’s App Store since 2008
Apple says its services had a "record-breaking year," as Apple TV, Apple Music, and Apple Pay also soared.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/developers-have-made-550-billion-on-apples-app-store-since-2008/
Technology
svg
69a9b343cbcec859c75d3db0925b0843407bf84271e6fecfeedf8fa7fbe55bdd
2026-01-12T17:12:41+00:00
Google’s Gemini to power Apple’s AI features like Siri
Apple and Google have embarked on a non-exclusive, multi-year partnership that will involve Apple using Gemini models and Google cloud technology for future foundational models.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/googles-gemini-to-power-apples-ai-features-like-siri/
Technology
svg
ba4c3ef4f73fc05a2c37ad00e6dc9f70107b0955b34a9356f4f10bb79a0304f5
2026-01-12T17:06:12+00:00
Paramount files lawsuit against Warner Bros. amidst controversial Netflix merger
As two major streaming platforms — Warner Bros. and Netflix — prepare for a merger, concerns continue to be voiced about the implications of the deal, which represents more consolidation in the media business.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/paramount-files-lawsuit-against-warner-bros-amidst-controversial-netflix-merger/
Technology
svg
5abd8d263644c736e08a19d93e519322bf9c5022b345cdb1ab2485cf2c1ce19f
2026-01-12T16:34:53+00:00
A New Jersey lawsuit shows how hard it is to fight deepfake porn
A number of US laws have already banned deepfake pornography — most notably the Take It Down Act. But while specific users are clearly breaking those laws, it’s much harder to hold the entire platform accountable.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/a-new-jersey-lawsuit-shows-how-hard-it-is-to-fight-deepfake-porn/
Technology
svg
223beeaf77bb1a0baf7b75de195c8b170ad66e51c1ca06ea694f2d08bc89d178
2026-01-12T16:12:49+00:00
Netflix had a huge night at the 2026 Golden Globes with 7 wins
As Netflix gears up to acquire Warner Bros., the streaming giant took home 7 awards at the Golden Globes last night.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/netflix-had-a-huge-night-at-the-2026-golden-globes-with-7-wins/
Technology
svg
6555c0e0ea1d44870c504f205838e6694bb12dea1f3804843f05fa4227a41bde
2026-01-12T15:28:16+00:00
Luminar lines up $22 million bidder for its lidar business
The bid comes from Quantum Computing Inc., which already lined up to buy Luminar's semiconductor division. Luminar founder Austin Russell has also expressed interest.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/luminar-lines-up-22-million-bidder-for-its-lidar-business/
Technology
svg
47f73f8c60d09e4e80ee13382aec22bcbd396b953086869f4e358953cf81988b
2026-01-12T14:58:19+00:00
Meta hires former Trump advisor Dina Powell McCormick as president and vice chair
Powell McCormick served as deputy national security advisor to President Donald Trump.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/meta-hires-former-trump-advisor-dina-powell-mccormick-as-president-and-vice-chair/
Technology
svg
e5c370152c75183342480eea21e43342555391a1ab5e04b46e2c8652facd512a
2026-01-12T14:00:44+00:00
Harmattan AI raises $200M Series B led by Dassault Aviation, becomes defense unicorn
French defense tech company Harmattan AI is now valued at $1.4 billion after raising a $200 million Series B round led by Dassault Aviation, which is best known for making the Rafale fighter jet.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/harmattan-ai-raises-200m-series-b-led-by-dassault-aviation-becomes-defense-unicorn/
Technology
svg
9aba31e2679d7a3943b865352d1fe24d7665f5fded19ca0d25ed21219b473ad0
2026-01-12T23:42:09+00:00
Anthropic launches Cowork, a Claude Code-like for general computing
Anthropic's agentic tool Claude Code has been an enormous hit with some software developers and hobbyists, and now the company is bringing that modality to more general office work with a new feature called Cowork. Built on the same foundations as Claude Code and baked into the macOS Claude desktop app, Cowork allows users to give Claude access to a specific folder on their computer and then give plain language instructions for tasks. Anthropic gave examples like filling out an expense report from a folder full of receipt photos, writing reports based on a big stack of digital notes, or reorganizing a folder (or cleaning up your desktop) based on a prompt. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/01/anthropic-launches-cowork-a-claude-code-like-for-general-computing/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…work-500x500.jpg
6eccdcecc58a577d6fb5cab7ee5e6cab8ecce86ee05312daf6a0c206ee6a4c9e
2026-01-12T23:04:33+00:00
You can now reserve a hotel room on the Moon for $250,000
A company called GRU Space publicly announced its intent to construct a series of increasingly sophisticated habitats on the Moon, culminating in a hotel inspired by the Palace of the Fine Arts in San Francisco. On Monday, the company invited those interested in a berth to plunk down a deposit between $250,000 and $1 million, qualifying them for a spot on one of its early lunar surface missions in as little as six years from now. It sounds crazy, doesn't it? After all, GRU Space had, as of late December when I spoke to founder Skyler Chan, a single full-time employee aside from himself. And Chan, in fact, only recently graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/you-can-now-reserve-a-hotel-room-on-the-moon-for-250000/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…0-1768259057.jpg
b7b5d7e5f27246a1fe37f9dbf527f195f8ef3f57be976683ce82d3f7fbe8b482
2026-01-12T22:49:31+00:00
Paramount sues WBD over Netflix deal. WBD says Paramount’s price is still inadequate.
Paramount Skydance escalated its hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) today by filing a lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court against WBD, declaring its intention to fight Netflix’s acquisition. In December, WBD agreed to sell its streaming and movie businesses to Netflix for $82.7 billion. The deal would see WBD’s Global Networks division, comprised of WBD's legacy cable networks, spun out into a separate company called Discovery Global. But in December, Paramount submitted a hostile takeover bid and amended its bid for WBD. Subsequently, the company has aggressively tried to convince WBD’s shareholders that its $108.4 billion offer for all of WBD is superior to the Netflix deal. Today, Paramount CEO David Ellison wrote a letter to WBD shareholders informing them of Paramount’s lawsuit. The lawsuit requests the court to force WBD to disclose “how it valued the Global Networks stub equity, how it valued the overall Netflix transaction, how the purchase price reduction for debt works in the Netflix transaction, or even what the basis is for its ‘risk adjustment’” of Paramount’s $30 per share all-cash offer. Netflix’s offer equates to $27.72 per share, including $23.25 in cash and shares of Netflix common stock. Paramount hopes the information will encourage more WBD shareholders to tender their shares under Paramount's offer by the January 21 deadline. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/01/paramount-sues-wbd-over-netflix-deal-wbd-says-paramounts-price-is-still-inadequate/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…0-1768255627.jpg
02d0de4859441bbd06e8e01d67c52bbc23a9ffa56c064bf52176755748b7a1be
2026-01-12T22:27:50+00:00
Even Linus Torvalds is trying his hand at vibe coding (but just a little)
Linux and Git creator Linus Torvalds' latest project contains code that was "basically written by vibe coding," but you shouldn't read that to mean that Torvalds is embracing that approach for anything and everything. Torvalds sometimes works on a small hobby projects over holiday breaks. Last year, he made guitar pedals. This year, he did some work on AudioNoise, which he calls "another silly guitar-pedal-related repo." It creates random digital audio effects. Torvalds revealed that he had used an AI coding tool in the README for the repo: Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/01/hobby-github-repo-shows-linus-torvalds-vibe-codes-sometimes/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…0-1768254939.jpg
fb724f6558dc5dba28da3b38163eece72e0f93f3ef3b5c2ed444cc42ed2fbdad
2026-01-12T22:07:23+00:00
Verizon to stop automatic unlocking of phones as FCC ends 60-day unlock rule
The Federal Communications Commission is letting Verizon lock phones to its network for longer periods, eliminating a requirement to unlock handsets 60 days after they are activated on its network. The change will make it harder for people to switch from Verizon to other carriers. The FCC today granted Verizon's petition for a waiver of the 60-day unlocking requirement. While the waiver is in effect, Verizon only has to comply with the CTIA trade group's voluntary unlocking policy. The CTIA policy calls for unlocking prepaid mobile devices one year after activation, while devices on postpaid plans can be unlocked after a contract, device financing plan, or early termination fee is paid. Unlocking a phone allows it to be used on another carrier's network. While Verizon was previously required to unlock phones automatically after 60 days, the CTIA code says carriers only have to unlock phones "upon request" from consumers. The FCC said the Verizon waiver will remain in effect until the agency "decides on an appropriate industry-wide approach for the unlocking of handsets." Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/fcc-lets-verizon-lock-phones-for-longer-making-it-harder-to-switch-carriers/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…0-1765486989.jpg
c954caabbfa54c23f1baaffe35748c472532f31a7ab5af0f4e730e0b6f04e2e7
2026-01-12T21:47:32+00:00
Google removes some AI health summaries after investigation finds “dangerous” flaws
On Sunday, Google removed some of its AI Overviews health summaries after a Guardian investigation found people were being put at risk by false and misleading information. The removals came after the newspaper found that Google's generative AI feature delivered inaccurate health information at the top of search results, potentially leading seriously ill patients to mistakenly conclude they are in good health. Google disabled specific queries, such as "what is the normal range for liver blood tests," after experts contacted by The Guardian flagged the results as dangerous. The report also highlighted a critical error regarding pancreatic cancer: The AI suggested patients avoid high-fat foods, a recommendation that contradicts standard medical guidance to maintain weight and could jeopardize patient health. Despite these findings, Google only deactivated the summaries for the liver test queries, leaving other potentially harmful answers accessible. The investigation revealed that searching for liver test norms generated raw data tables (listing specific enzymes like ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase) that lacked essential context. The AI feature also failed to adjust these figures for patient demographics such as age, sex, and ethnicity. Experts warned that because the AI model's definition of "normal" often differed from actual medical standards, patients with serious liver conditions might mistakenly believe they are healthy and skip necessary follow-up care. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/01/google-removes-some-ai-health-summaries-after-investigation-finds-dangerous-flaws/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…1999-500x500.jpg
6731ae3646ee8662b94a030791cddb237f4bb5a80c9459afa965f9c2564014a6
2026-01-12T21:27:35+00:00
Judge: Trump violated Fifth Amendment by ending energy grants in only blue states
The Trump administration violated the Fifth Amendment when canceling billions of dollars in environmental grants for projects in "blue states" that didn't vote for him in the last election, a judge ruled Monday. Trump's blatant discrimination came on the same day as the government shut down last fall. In total, 315 grants were terminated in October, ending support for 223 projects worth approximately $7.5 billion, the Department of Energy confirmed. All the awardees, except for one, were based in states where Donald Trump lost the majority vote to Kamala Harris in 2024. Only seven awardees sued, defending projects that helped states with "electric vehicle development, updating building energy codes, and addressing methane emissions." They accused Trump officials of clearly discriminating against Democratic voters by pointing to their social media posts boasting about punishing blue states. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/judge-trump-violated-fifth-amendment-by-ending-energy-grants-in-only-blue-states/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…8310-500x500.jpg
14c5dc9705ea665cc87e294b055bb4d349caad7a9f7096a23a5b7c3dce4dc931
2026-01-12T20:00:54+00:00
Switching water sources improved hygiene of Pompeii’s public baths
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE released thermal energy roughly equivalent to 100,000 times the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, spewing molten rock, pumice, and hot ash over Pompeii. Pompeii's public baths, aqueduct, and water towers were among the preserved structures frozen in time. A new paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzed calcium carbonate deposits from those structures to learn more about the city's water supply and how it changed over time. Pompeii was founded in the sixth century BCE. Prior research revealed that, early on, the city relied on rainwater stored in cisterns and wells for its water supply. The public baths used weight-lifting machinery to lift water up well shafts that were as deep as 40 meters. As the city developed, so did the complexity of its water supply system, most notably with the construction of an aqueduct between 27 BCE and 14 CE. The authors of this latest paper were interested in the calcium carbonate deposits left by water in well shafts as well as the baths and aqueduct. The different layers have "different chemical and isotope composition, calcite crystal size, and shape," which in turn could reveal information about seasonal changes in temperature, as well as changes over time in the chemical composition of the water. Analyzing those properties would enable them to "reconstruct the history of such systems—particularly public baths—revealing aspects of their maintenance and the adaptations made during their period of use," the authors wrote. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/01/switching-water-sources-improved-hygiene-of-pompeiis-public-baths/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…ath1-500x500.jpg
f2980705d489df44d76103dfbad1ce6879173ac40e7c4885a4cc8065cf2e5170
2026-01-12T19:56:01+00:00
Supreme Court takes case that could strip FCC of authority to issue fines
The Supreme Court will hear a case that could invalidate the Federal Communications Commission's authority to issue fines against companies regulated by the FCC. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile challenged the FCC's ability to punish them after the commission fined the carriers for selling customer location data without their users’ consent. AT&T convinced the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to overturn its fine, while Verizon lost in the 2nd Circuit and T-Mobile lost in the District of Columbia Circuit. Verizon petitioned the Supreme Court to reverse its loss, while the FCC and Justice Department petitioned the court to overturn AT&T's victory in the 5th Circuit. The Supreme Court granted both petitions to hear the challenges and consolidated the cases in a list of orders released Friday. Oral arguments will be held. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/supreme-court-takes-case-that-could-strip-fcc-of-authority-to-issue-fines/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…0-1732556402.jpg
786ba80fb0c43f48c443c909659ff71ea8bcec269357a1cb760ad69592726907
2026-01-12T19:36:17+00:00
Apps like Grok are explicitly banned under Google’s rules—why is it still in the Play Store?
Elon Musk's xAI recently weakened content guard rails for image generation in the Grok AI bot. This led to a new spate of non-consensual sexual imagery on X, much of it aimed at silencing women on the platform. This, along with the creation of sexualized images of children in the more compliant Grok, has led regulators to begin investigating xAI. In the meantime, Google has rules in place for exactly this eventuality—it's just not enforcing them. It really could not be more clear from Google's publicly available policies that Grok should have been banned yesterday. And yet, it remains in the Play Store. Not only that—it enjoys a T for Teen rating, one notch below the M-rated X app. Apple also still offers the Grok app on its platform, but its rules actually leave more wiggle room. App content restrictions at Apple and Google have evolved in very different ways. From the start, Apple has been prone to removing apps on a whim, so developers have come to expect that Apple's guidelines may not mention every possible eventuality. As Google has shifted from a laissez-faire attitude to more hard-nosed control of the Play Store, it has progressively piled on clarifications in the content policy. As a result, Google's rules are spelled out in no uncertain terms, and Grok runs afoul of them. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/google/2026/01/apps-like-grok-are-explicitly-banned-under-googles-rules-why-is-it-still-in-the-play-store/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…6195-500x500.jpg
78c27c38fd69f6b02f6b61e0f672ce61f0da520ce8fc85e7795b0504eec40176
2026-01-12T19:25:17+00:00
NASA launches new mission to get the most out of the James Webb Space Telescope
Among other things, the James Webb Space Telescope is designed to get us closer to finding habitable worlds around faraway stars. From its perch a million miles from Earth, Webb's huge gold-coated mirror collects more light than any other telescope put into space. The Webb telescope, launched in 2021 at a cost of more than $10 billion, has the sensitivity to peer into distant planetary systems and detect the telltale chemical fingerprints of molecules critical to or indicative of potential life, like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane. Webb can do this while also observing the oldest observable galaxies in the Universe and studying planets, moons, and smaller objects within our own Solar System. Naturally, astronomers want to get the most out of their big-budget observatory. That's where NASA's Pandora mission comes in. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/nasas-newest-telescope-will-play-an-outsize-role-in-finding-earth-2-0/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…_BCT-500x500.jpg
ad5e91a99c53804ddefd4fa1eaf4f0c034e8f22fb2a5abad57c1e0f4085082c5
2026-01-12T17:57:32+00:00
Apple chooses Google’s Gemini over OpenAI’s ChatGPT to power next-gen Siri
The "more intelligent" version of Siri that Apple plans to release later this year will be backed by Google's Gemini language models, the company announced today. CNBC reports that the deal is part of a "multi-year partnership" between Apple and Google that will allow Apple to use Google's AI models in its own software. "After careful evaluation, we determined that Google’s technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and we’re excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for our users,” reads an Apple statement given to CNBC. Today's announcement confirms reporting by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman late last year that Apple and Google were nearing a deal. Apple didn't disclose terms, but Gurman said that Apple would be paying Google "about $1 billion a year" for access to its AI models "following an extensive evaluation period." Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/apple/2026/01/apple-says-its-new-ai-powered-siri-will-use-googles-gemini-language-models/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…ro_3-500x500.jpg
75987bc8c1970b05390790eaea1fb5b03e59a74898127b52f041de4850de4446
2026-01-12T17:08:56+00:00
Is this the beginning of the end for GameStop?
Six and a half years ago—after a failed corporate sale attempt, massive financial losses, and the departure/layoff of many key staff—I wrote about what seemed at the time like the "imminent demise" of GameStop. Now, after five years of meme stock mania that helped prop up the company's finances a bit, I'll admit the video game and Funko Pop retailer has lasted much longer as a relevant entity than I anticipated. GameStop's surprisingly extended run may be coming to an end, though, with Polygon reporting late last week that GameStop has abruptly shut down 400 stores across the US, with even more closures expected before the end of the month. That comes on top of 590 US stores that were shuttered in fiscal 2024 (which ended in January 2025) and stated plans to close hundreds of remaining international stores across Canada, Australia, and Europe in the coming months, per SEC filings. GameStop still had just over 3,200 stores worldwide as of February 1, 2025, so even hundreds of new and planned store closures don't literally mean the immediate end of the company as a going concern. But when you consider that there were still nearly 6,000 GameStop locations worldwide as of 2019—nearly 4,000 of which were in the US—the long-term trend is clear. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/01/is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-gamestop/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…0796-500x500.jpg
f7c53cc5a89073719589ede9a159f986fdf62ba03917d14d1ae6932849b72146
2026-01-12T16:32:21+00:00
UK probes X over Grok CSAM scandal; Elon Musk cries censorship
Elon Musk's X is currently under investigation in the United Kingdom after failing to stop the platform's chatbot, Grok, from generating thousands of sexualized images of women and children. On Monday, UK media regulator Ofcom confirmed that X may have violated the UK's Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to block illegal content. The proliferation of "undressed images of people" by X users may amount to intimate image abuse, pornography, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM), the regulator said. And X may also have neglected its duty to stop kids from seeing porn. "Reports of Grok being used to create and share illegal non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material on X have been deeply concerning," an Ofcom spokesperson said. "Platforms must protect people in the UK from content that’s illegal in the UK, and we won’t hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where there’s a risk of harm to children." Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/uk-investigating-x-after-grok-undressed-thousands-of-women-and-children/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…2016-500x500.jpg
4e3156bad7996c9b98441cab48e9c7a5e03bf4bc0fff7cf447cc42546a0d4d43
2026-01-12T15:59:15+00:00
The Chevrolet Bolt is back... but for how long?
The new Chevrolet Equinox EV is a solid entry into the compact crossover market, and with a (just) sub-$35,000 starting price, it also counts as affordable by the standards of 2026. But if you think that's too rich for your blood, or that the Equinox is still too large for your needs, take heart—the Chevrolet Bolt is back in dealerships now as well. The Bolt was GM's first modern electric vehicle, following on from the hand-built, pre-lithium ion EV1 and the compliance car that was the Spark EV. We're big fans of the Bolt here at Ars Technica. It offered well more than 200 miles of range in a mass-produced EV at a reasonable price well before Tesla's Model 3 started clogging up our roads, it got more efficient over time, and it managed to be fun to drive in the process. General Motors (which owns Chevrolet) probably feels less well-disposed toward the Bolt. It lost thousands of dollars on each car it sold, even before the entire fleet had to be recalled for a costly battery replacement. The issue was due to improperly folded tabs on some cells that could cause a battery fire, giving GM (and its battery partner LG) plenty of bad press in the process. That recall alone cost $1.8 billion. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/01/the-chevrolet-bolt-is-back-but-for-how-long/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…Rear-500x500.jpg
cd9a642566a908e1560b1238232c2aa76ff46262c9b47521d8d20ad802eb879f
2026-01-12T15:55:20+00:00
New research shows how shunning ultraprocessed foods helps with aging
Older adults can dramatically reduce the amount of ultraprocessed foods they eat while keeping a familiar, balanced diet—and this shift leads to improvements across several key markers related to how the body regulates appetite and metabolism. That’s the main finding of a new study my colleagues and I published in the journal Clinical Nutrition. Ultraprocessed foods are made using industrial techniques and ingredients that aren’t typically used in home cooking. They often contain additives such as emulsifiers, flavorings, colors, and preservatives. Common examples include packaged snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and some processed meats. Studies have linked diets high in ultraprocessed foods to poorer health outcomes. My team and I enrolled Americans ages 65 and older in our study, many of whom were overweight or had metabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance or high cholesterol. Participants followed two diets low in ultraprocessed foods for eight weeks each. One included lean red meat (pork); the other was vegetarian with milk and eggs. For two weeks in between, participants returned to their usual diets. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/01/avoiding-ultraprocessed-foods-supports-healthier-aging/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…ssed-500x500.jpg
d56e49a55db8e3243bea34fb4060ed3ff9c329961579dca71a6b4cf070e58afd
2026-01-12T15:21:38+00:00
NASA topples towers used to test Saturn rockets, space shuttle
Two historic NASA test facilities used in the development of the Saturn V and space shuttle launch vehicles have been demolished after towering over the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama since the start of the Space Age. The Propulsion and Structural Test Facility, which was erected in 1957—the same year the first artificial satellite entered Earth orbit—and the Dynamic Test Facility, which has stood since 1964, were brought down by a coordinated series of implosions on Saturday, January 10. Located in Marshall's East Test Area on the US Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, the two structures were no longer in use and, according to NASA, had a backlog of $25 million in needed repairs. "This work reflects smart stewardship of taxpayer resources," Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator, said in a statement. "Clearing outdated infrastructure allows NASA to safely modernize, streamline operations and fully leverage the infrastructure investments signed into law by President Trump to keep Marshall positioned at the forefront of aerospace innovation." Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/nasa-topples-towers-used-to-test-saturn-rockets-space-shuttle/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…c-lg-500x500.jpg
71be4d1ff3f66c582fa088d273b55427c51251fc04712ca8bce04a708118b584
2026-01-12T11:30:06+00:00
The most fascinating monitors at CES 2026
CES 2026 took place in Las Vegas last week, and as usual, we're looking at the most interesting monitors from the show. Not every display is a monitor in the strictest sense, but they all provide a display for computers and have a unique twist that make them worth exploring. It was a pretty safe bet that Dell would announce new UltraSharp monitors at CES. The displays are a solid recommendation for reliable USB-C monitors, including for Mac users and people needing something polished for professional or creative work. In recent years, UltraSharp monitors have also boasted more modern features, including integrated web cameras and IPS Black tech. This year, the strategy was clear: Bigger is better. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/01/the-most-fascinating-monitors-at-ces-2026/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…XAIO-500x500.jpg
a431404094890a8d98d84f5947cd2f37aa50917f504887f1e983f087b5a4794f
2026-01-11T20:35:33+00:00
That time Will Smith helped discover new species of anaconda
In 2024, scientists announced the discovery of a new species of giant anaconda in South America. A National Geographic camera crew was on hand for the 2022 expedition that documented the new species—and so was actor Will Smith, since they were filming for NatGeo's new documentary series, Pole to Pole with Will Smith. Now we can all share in Smith's Amazon experience, courtesy of the three-minute clip above. Along with venom expert Bryan Fry, we follow Smith's journey by boat with a team of indigenous Waorani guides, scouring the river banks for anacondas. And they find one: a female green anaconda about 16 to 17 feet long, "pure muscle." The Waorani secure the giant snake—anacondas aren't venomous but they do bite—so that Fry (with Smith's understandably reluctant help) can collect a scale sample for further analysis. Fry says that this will enable him to determine the accumulation of pollutants in the water. That and other collected samples also enabled scientists to conduct the genetic analysis that resulted in the declaration of a new species: the northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayama, which roughly translates to "the great snake"). It is genetically distinct from the southern green anaconda (Eunectes murinus); the two species likely diverged some 10 million years ago. The northern green anaconda's turf includes Venezuela, Colombia, Suriname, French Guyana, and the northern part of Brazil. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/01/that-time-will-smith-helped-discover-new-species-of-anaconda/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…0-1768069762.jpg
2c89b5337d3e7ca84c4152e18f31d18fe1775340c9132bbbac05561ba5353c35
2026-01-11T12:00:50+00:00
The oceans just keep getting hotter
Since 2018, a group of researchers from around the world has crunched the numbers on how much heat the world’s oceans are absorbing each year. In 2025, their measurements broke records once again, making this the eighth year in a row that the world’s oceans have absorbed more heat than in the years before. The study, which was published Friday in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Science, found that the world’s oceans absorbed an additional 23 zettajoules’ worth of heat in 2025, the most in any year since modern measurements began in the 1960s. That’s significantly higher than the 16 additional zettajoules they absorbed in 2024. The research comes from a team of more than 50 scientists across the United States, Europe, and China. A joule is a common way to measure energy. A single joule is a relatively small unit of measurement—it’s about enough to power a tiny lightbulb for a second, or slightly heat a gram of water. But a zettajoule is one sextillion joules; numerically, the 23 zettajoules the oceans absorbed this year can be written out as 23,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Read full article Comments
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/01/the-oceans-just-keep-getting-hotter/
Technology
https://cdn.arstechnica.…cean-500x500.jpg
b5a6d3861a1063de4c5d5eb771d76c49056a042c7afe79eb203d436da7ca9c27
2026-01-13T03:30:16+00:00
Trump Claims He and Microsoft Have a Solution for AI-Related Utility Price Spikes
Is Microsoft… going to subsidize our utility bills?
https://gizmodo.com/trump-claims-he-and-microsoft-have-a-solution-for-ai-related-utility-price-spikes-2000709410
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…ice-1280x925.jpg
62db9b2cd61445f1579650e69f63af2759cac88c39d75363cf1fe7d83d9b2e16
2026-01-13T01:05:31+00:00
AI Images Create Confusion as Real Gang of Monkeys Roams St. Louis
Police have patrolled the area based on reports of sightings, but the monkeys still haven't been found.
https://gizmodo.com/ai-images-create-confusion-as-real-gang-of-monkeys-roams-st-louis-2000709419
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…ora-1280x853.jpg
98117cde8f5ab0572995130bb3b8986f65a9fc0dbae814803137628527f1da2b
2026-01-13T00:09:53+00:00
Tracking Insider Trading on Polymarket Is Turning Into a Business of Its Own
Insider trading on prediction markets is lucrative. Finding and copying said insider trading, also.
https://gizmodo.com/tracking-insider-trading-on-polymarket-is-turning-into-a-business-of-its-own-2000709286
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…799-1280x853.jpg
8428372a2cca270b3c4c324437fa2aa031adaeba0429309cb7f3b21dbf88e8df
2026-01-12T22:45:53+00:00
Meta Reportedly Cutting About 1,500 VR and AR Jobs Amid Renewed Push to Become an AI Juggernaut
AI infrastructure will provides Meta with a "strategic advantage," Zuckerberg said. He once said almost the exact same thing about the metaverse.
https://gizmodo.com/meta-reportedly-cutting-about-1500-vr-and-ar-jobs-amid-renewed-push-to-become-an-ai-juggernaut-2000708826
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…est-1280x852.jpg
3443d20fcfc549cd50209f73c736d600f0bf2075a2a056cc5fa1464cf5d5a652
2026-01-12T22:45:44+00:00
I’m Claiming Stellan Skarsgård’s Golden Globe for ‘Andor’
The incredible 'Star Wars' show has been largely snubbed this award season, but one of its stars hasn't.
https://gizmodo.com/im-claiming-stellan-skarsgards-golden-globe-for-andor-2000709390
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…ard-1280x853.jpg
1a8fe6c3a9492a0c70651d4e9222af6a908b8f53f43266cf35ee94b0045441bd
2026-01-12T22:30:57+00:00
NASA’s First ISS Medical Evacuation Is Happening This Week. Here’s What We Know
The Crew-11 mission is coming to an early end so that one of its members can receive medical attention back on Earth.
https://gizmodo.com/nasas-first-iss-medical-evacuation-is-happening-this-week-heres-what-we-know-2000709354
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…-11-1280x853.jpg
895d30c2bfaa0a2f55ab181c79bdf43c68b475e2aab118c920b2092cd1d232fe
2026-01-12T22:15:51+00:00
Jensen Huang Is Begging You to Stop Being So Negative About AI
"[It's] extremely hurtful, frankly, and I think we've done a lot of damage," he said.
https://gizmodo.com/jensen-huang-is-begging-you-to-stop-being-so-negative-about-ai-2000709335
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…744-1280x852.jpg
4d2b4afc7cead521d266d1f9fa9bfa16a7042e481f60eb77b09be0367779adc8
2026-01-12T22:00:35+00:00
An App Called ‘Are You Dead?’ Is Climbing the Apple Charts
The simple app is now the top paid app on China’s Apple App Store and has reached the sixth spot in the U.S.
https://gizmodo.com/an-app-called-are-you-dead-is-climbing-the-apple-charts-2000709373
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…019-1280x853.jpg
ef2efb4fa9249b4d005a895e8de1ce45f0dd2b765339b1fad3ced00d76a06b74
2026-01-12T21:55:54+00:00
Grok’s Sexual Deepfakes Will Become Illegal in the UK This Week
"The content which has circulated on X is vile," the UK technology secretary Liz Kendall said Monday.
https://gizmodo.com/groks-sexual-deepfakes-will-become-illegal-in-the-uk-this-week-2000709212
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…one-1280x853.jpg
a9f8404980e5804f1d21d75e4ed27be0abed1394668820f4934888d26b57bb7f
2026-01-12T21:45:32+00:00
Youngest UK Dementia Case Dies at 24
Less than two dozen cases of extremely early-onset frontotemporal dementia have been documented worldwide.
https://gizmodo.com/youngest-uk-dementia-case-dies-at-24-2000709304
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…can-1280x853.jpg
2ce564f26769822134ade80534d108b898bb311501212ee039ec8f85f673b90d
2026-01-12T21:45:13+00:00
George R.R. Martin Still Hasn’t Finished ‘Winds of Winter,’ but New Dunk and Egg Stories Are on His Mind
The 'Game of Thrones' author has the highly anticipated fantasy book on his to-do list, but he's understandably excited about 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.'
https://gizmodo.com/george-rr-martin-new-dunk-and-egg-game-of-thrones-winds-of-winter-2000709355
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…Egg-1280x853.jpg
be05c79acdca0a59b75d24a6e518a6a4338720df2365c85ca8804296a52fb5f6
2026-01-12T21:30:56+00:00
Humanoid Robots Are Here… and Embarrassingly Bad at Being Our Servants
CES 2026 showed us the useless humanoid robots are nowhere close to doing your robot chores.
https://gizmodo.com/humanoid-robots-are-here-and-embarrassingly-bad-at-being-our-servants-ces-2026-2000709300
Technology
https://gizmodo.com/app/…t-1-1280x853.jpg