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Don’t get rid of your old phone, turn it into a security camera
An Engadget guide explains how to repurpose an old, unused smartphone as a home security camera rather than binning or recycling it. The process takes only a few minutes using the free, cross-platform app AlfredCamera, requires no special technical skills or wiring beyond a charger, and offers a cost-free alternative to buying dedicated security hardware.…
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The Best Laptop Backpacks for Work, Travel, and Everything Between (2026)
This is a WIRED buying guide recommending laptop backpacks for work, commuting and travel, drawing on extended real-world testing by the outlet’s reviewers. Choosing the right backpack matters because a poorly designed one can be uncomfortable or impractical for daily use, so the guide aims to help readers find bags suited to specific needs, from…
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My Brief Summer Fling With Siri AI
A Wired columnist recounts a month spent testing Apple’s new Siri AI in the iOS 27 beta, describing an initially strong impression that faded into indifference rather than dislike. The piece matters because it captures how Apple’s long-delayed AI overhaul may land with everyday users: not as a revolutionary leap, but as a quietly improved…
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Steam Deck price hike, IMAX boom and Springboks edge ahead in New Zealand series
Rising memory prices push up the Steam Deck’s cost, while Telluride premieres and Nolan’s sold-out “Odyssey” screens lift cinema buzz; South Africa lead the series 2-1 and Norwich win at Sheffield United.
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Why are iPhones more expensive than iPads?
The lowest-cost iPhone ($599) is notably pricier than the cheapest iPad ($449), which seems counterintuitive given that larger devices, such as TVs and laptops, usually cost more than smaller ones. Engadget explains that this pricing gap comes down to engineering complexity, component quality and how each device fits into people’s lives rather than simple size,…
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Drivers unlock restricted Android Auto features through unofficial app sideloading
Android Auto users can “sideload” unofficial apps onto their car’s dashboard display, enabling features Google deliberately blocks—such as YouTube video playback, screen mirroring and web browsing—without needing to root their phone. Google restricts these functions by default to reduce driver distraction, but the workaround appeals to drivers who feel their in-car displays are more capable…
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Research reveals serious Bluetooth security flaws in wearables and audio devices
Bluetooth’s convenience for hands-free calls and wireless audio comes with genuine security risks, as the technology has repeatedly been shown to contain vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit within physical range of a device. Researchers have found flaws in Fitbits, Airoha-based hardware and Google Fast Pair audio devices that could allow location tracking, eavesdropping and theft…
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How to find your MacBook’s diagnostic menu
Engadget has published a how-to guide explaining where to find Apple Diagnostics, the built-in tool that helps MacBook owners work out whether hardware faults are behind problems such as unexpected shutdowns, display glitches or a keyboard that stops responding. Unlike a typical settings menu, it is not found within System Settings but is instead accessed…
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iPhone Handoff will seamlessly share one number between two phones
Apple is preparing an “iPhone Handoff” feature for iOS 27, due later this month, which lets two iPhones share a single phone number, switching seamlessly between a main device and a “companion” handset. The feature was briefly teased at June’s WWDC keynote without detail, and its timing appears linked to Apple’s anticipated foldable iPhone Ultra,…
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The reasons rugged laptops are rarely bought by consumers
Rugged laptops, such as Panasonic’s Toughbook range, Getac’s B360 Pro and the Dell Pro Rugged 13, are built to survive drops, dust, water and extreme conditions that most everyday users never encounter. This durability comes at a steep cost in both price and weight, which explains why these machines remain a niche choice for field…