-
OLPC’s ambitious XO-1 project faltered despite its educational promise
The One Laptop Per Child initiative aimed to give every child in the world access to a computer through the XO-1 laptop, initially promoted as a transformative educational tool. However, the project proved far more complicated than its supporters expected, prompting discussion about why it failed and whether large-scale technology giveaways can succeed. The article…
-
Android emulators bring mobile apps to Windows PCs in 2026
Android apps can still be run on Windows PCs in 2026, despite Microsoft abandoning built-in Android support for Windows 11 in 2024. The article explains that emulators offer a practical way to use mobile games and apps on larger screens, with better graphics, keyboard and mouse controls, and potential benefits for developers, content creators and…
-
Houses can be built on floodplains despite failing safety test, says high court
The High Court has ruled that 190 homes can be built on a north Somerset floodplain despite the development failing a key planning safety test. The decision has alarmed residents, councils, ministers and flood experts, who fear it could create a national precedent enabling similar developments across England and Wales. The site is in flood…
-
Best Party Speakers (2026): JBL, Sony, Marshall, and More
WIRED reviews party speakers for people increasingly entertaining at home, as younger consumers seek alternatives to expensive nights out. These speakers prioritise high volume, portability and colourful lighting, while the best models also deliver respectable sound quality for everyday listening. The LG xboom Stage 501 is named best overall, offering powerful, clean bass, 160 watts…
-
What’s the Best Pet DNA Test? We Tested the Most Popular Ones
WIRED tested popular at-home cat DNA kits Basepaws and Wisdom Panel, finding that results can differ dramatically depending on sample sizes and comparison databases. The tests can provide useful health and trait information, but their breed and ancestry findings are not always definitive, raising questions about whether they justify their cost. Wisdom Panel costs $97,…
-
GOP is running 2026 like it’s 2006, repeating George W. Bush’s Iraq War election failure
The opinion article argues that Republicans risk repeating their 2006 midterm defeat by allowing a Middle East war to dominate the political narrative. It says voters’ dissatisfaction with the Iraq War, a late Republican scandal and the party’s failure to present a forward-looking programme helped Democrats capture the House, despite economic growth. In 2006, Democrats…
-
Trump administration targets Smithsonian in escalating culture war dispute
The Smithsonian has become a major target in the Trump administration’s culture war, with the White House accusing it of promoting divisive, race-focused ideology rather than neutral historical scholarship. The dispute has intensified through executive orders, congressional hearings and threats to reduce federal support, challenging the institution’s longstanding reputation for bipartisan independence. Criticism has focused…
-
US communities push back against Silicon Valley’s datacentre expansion plans
Silicon Valley’s ambitious AI project is facing an unexpected democratic backlash, as communities across the US resist new datacentres and question the technology’s wider social value. The opposition reflects more than local objections to construction: it signals growing public distrust of powerful technology companies pursuing transformative plans without meaningful public consent. Moratoria and bans are…
-
Fake ChatGPT billing emails can steal your login
Cybercriminals are impersonating OpenAI in fake ChatGPT subscription emails designed to steal login credentials and payment details. The messages create urgency by claiming a payment problem and giving recipients 48 hours to update their information, directing them towards a convincing imitation of the ChatGPT login page. Cofense researchers identified a suspicious sender address unrelated to…