In theory, the building blocks of life are possible with a more expansive code than three-letter codons. New work shows that would be a challenge.
If Tech Fails to Design for the Most Vulnerable, It Fails Us All
Building around the so-called typical user is a dangerous mistake.
How to Turn Any Document Into a PDF
Master the file format that works everywhere and anywhere—even from your phone.
Tips for Cargo Biking With Your Kids
You’ve decided to join the ebiking boom, and so have your kids. Congrats! Here’s the gear and advice you need to ride safely.
KEF’s New LS60 Wireless Speakers Are an Absolute Triumph
The audiophile brand has just launched the world’s finest streaming speakers with grin-inducing sound, but are they worth $7,000?
Peloton’s ‘Worst-Kept Secret’ Is Out (Yes, It’s a Rowing Machine)
Plus: The iPod is dead, iPhones might go USB-C, folding screens get bendier, and a beloved music synthesizer gets an upgrade.
The NSA Swears It Has ‘No Backdoors’ in Next-Gen Encryption
Plus: New details of ICE’s dragnet surveillance in the US, Clearview AI agrees to limit sales of its faceprint database, and more.
The HyperX Quadcast S Is Our Go-To Streaming Mic
Great looks and good sound make this USB microphone a favorite for new and veteran Twitch streamers alike.
Farming Drives Toward ‘Precision Agriculture’ Technologies
Although real-world data is scant, proponents say robotics and AI will soon revolutionize agriculture.
How to Use Tech to Perform Acts of Kindness
Tech can get us down—but it can also empower us to help others. Here’s how to volunteer virtually, share your skills, or simply brighten someone’s day.
9 Great Deals on Audio Tech, Projectors, and Coffee Gear
These discounts can help you make home your happy place.
Where to Buy Vinyl Records Online and in Person
The best way to support your favorite musicians is by going straight to the source.
A ‘Radical’ Ruling Lets Texas Ban Social Media Moderation
The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reinstated a law that says that a user can’t be censored based on their “viewpoint.”
How Realistic Is the Celestial Navigation in Moon Knight?
You can definitely use the stars as your guide. But let’s check whether a scene from the Disney+ live action series would work in the real world.
TikTok’s New, Terrible Trend
Johnny Depp is suing Amber Heard for defamation. As the trial wears on, mocking her testimony has become the latest disturbing thing to go viral on social media.
A World Without iPods
Plus: An interview with Steve Jobs, keeping up with early MIT hackers, and a relatable collapse.
Coleman’s New Camp Stoves Are Old-Fashioned in the Best Way
The Coleman Cascade and 1900 series both feature cast-iron grates that make camp cooking just like home cooking.
Scared of Induction Cooking? It’s Going to Be OK
If you’re using a gas stove, give your kitchen the faster, safer, and more environmentally responsible upgrade.
Pakistani Gamers Want a Seat at the Table
Developers and esports stars are ready for the global stage. Now if only major publishers would let them in.
A Powerful ISS Instrument Will Hunt for Minerals in Dusty Lands
NASA’s EMIT mission will better analyze the grime from dust-spewing regions, a critically understudied factor in climate change.
2 Visions Clash Over How to Fight Online Child Abuse in Europe
A new EU proposal would allow forced searches of users’ messages. Critics say the plan goes too far.
A Guide to Abortion Resources in a Post-Roe America
Most people don’t think about abortion until they need one. But with the right to access under threat, the time to plan is now.
Apple Together Brings Corporate Workers Into the Union Effort
The solidarity movement has helped give tools and support as the company’s retail employees organize.
How One Company Helps Keep Russia’s TV Propaganda Machine Online
Russia is using satellites controlled by French operator Eutelsat to broadcast state-run programming. A grassroots group is pushing for that to stop.
Terra’s Crypto Meltdown Was Inevitable
An epic crash in algorithmic stablecoins spells trouble for the entire industry.
9 Great Sex Tech Deals for Masturbation May
Sexual health is a fundamental human right, and what better way to exercise it than with a new vibe.
Sony’s All-New Flagship Noise-Cancelers Are Still the Best
These are among the very best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy, which should shock absolutely no one.
Researchers Grew Tiny Plants in Moon Dirt Collected Decades Ago
The seedlings sprouted in the regolith scooped up in the 1960s and ’70s, but astronauts won’t be harvesting lunar spuds anytime soon.
The Web3 Decentralization Debate Is Focused on the Wrong Question
Fixating on the degree—rather than the type—of decentralization is leading us astray.
The Hidden Race to Protect the US Bioeconomy From Hacker Threats
A biotech threat intelligence group is gaining supporters as urgency mounts around an overlooked vulnerable sector.