Wired Top Stories

A Google-a-Day Puzzle for Feb. 4

Ken Denmead — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:01:00 GMT

Google's daily brainteaser helps hone your search skills.

AMD Eyes ARM Alliance in War on Intel

Robert McMillan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:54:00 GMT

Could the low-power-chip design that's used in your iPhone someday show up inside the chips built by Intel-rival Advanced Micro Devices? Definitely maybe. Or as AMD's brand new Chief Technology Officer Mark Papermaster put it to us: "The answer is not no."

How Windows Phone 8 'Apollo' Would Stack Up Against iOS 5, Android 4

Christina Bonnington — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:52:00 GMT

Microsoft's Windows Phone OS is often criticized for lagging far behind iOS and Android. But on Thursday, a leaked description of Microsoft's next big mobile OS, Windows Phone 8, came to light, revealing how the operating system will improve. But can it really compete? We handicap Apollo against iOS 5 and Android 4.

Sugar May Be Bad, But Is the Alternative Worse?

Brandon Keim — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:15:00 GMT

Given the recent controversy over sugar, one might look to artificial sweeteners for an easy alternative to thorny scientific and ethical questions. But to anyone seeking pastel-packaged reassurance that regulators won't ever need to pry donuts from their cold, dead and pudgy fingers, science offers only more uncertainty.

Motorola Tablet Snafu Exposes Some Users to Privacy Risks

Christina Bonnington — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:56:00 GMT

Today Motorola issued a fail alert of epic proportions: From October to December 2011, 100 out of 6,200 refurbished Xooms sold from Woot.com may contain the previous owner's personal data.

Me @the Zoo Exemplifies Internet's Infiltration of Indie Film

Angela Watercutter — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:54:00 GMT

Nothing illustrates the web's growing influence on filmmakers more effectively than Me @the Zoo, a feature-length documentary that premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

Why Margarita Can Purr, but Can't Roar

Brian Switek — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:47:00 GMT

Cosmonaut Couture: Russian Photo Shoot Makes Space Sexy

Dave Mosher — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:31:00 GMT

In a resurgent space-themed fashion shoot, supermodel Natalia Semanova mingles with real-life cosmonauts in Star City, the home of Russia's space training program. We interview the spread's photographer, Arthur Elgort, for the back story.

Sonic Youth

Christina Bonnington — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:26:00 GMT

The Chevy Sonic, a 40-mpg, sub-$20K subcompact, has got the price point, performance and spunk necessary to stand out in a perennially crowded category.

Micron CEO Steve Appleton Dies in Plane Crash

Caleb Garling — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:05:00 GMT

Steve Appleton, the Chairman and CEO of memory and semiconductor manufacturer and one of the giants of the industry, died on Friday in a solo plane crash in Boise, Idaho. He was 51.

Mark Zuckerberg, the Hacker Way and the Art of the Founder's Letter

Steven Levy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:01:00 GMT

Apple to Authors: Content You Make in iBook App is Yours, Not Ours

Tim Carmody — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:59:00 GMT

Hide From Google

How-To Wiki — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:44:00 GMT

Have Google's new privacy policy changes prompted you to question whether the company is capable of "doing no evil"? If so, here's how to protect your online privacy while still using the services.

Art Installation Tracks Visitors' Time With Tape Measures

Angela Watercutter — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:24:00 GMT

Video: How the View From a Comet Might Look

Adam Mann — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:21:00 GMT

The European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft is heading for a comet. The ambitious mission -- scheduled to enter orbit Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in January of 2014 and place a tiny lander named Philae on its surface that November ? will no doubt return incredible, never-before-seen pictures. Until then, observers on Earth will have to make do with artists' renderings like the ones in this video.

Game|Life Podcast: Twisted Metal Maestro David Jaffe Speaks Out

Chris Kohler — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:15:00 GMT

David Jaffe, the outspoken and razor-sharp game creator who brought us God of War and Twisted Metal, joins the cast of this week's Game|Life podcast.

As the Komen Foundation Caves, the Internet Wins Again

Beth Carter — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:47:00 GMT

Just a few weeks after the tidal wave of internet backlash postponed the controversial PIPA and SOPA legislation, the mighty Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation has caved to a mass influx of criticism following its decision on Tuesday to discontinue funding for breast cancer screening done by Planned Parenthood.

Oklahoma Lawmaker Proposes Tax on Violent Video Games

David Kravets — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:45:00 GMT

An Oklahoma lawmaker is proposing taxing violent video games in that state to fund obesity and bullying programs.

Army Hunts for New Targets: Manatees, Sea Turtles

Katie Drummond — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:30:00 GMT

The U.S. military's tech still isn't sophisticated enough to consistently tell Aunt Irma apart from Terrorist Jane. (Unless Jane is holding an AK-47, that is.) But what about telling a sea turtle apart from a dolphin? Yeah, um, the Army's still working on that one too.

One Model Nation Eyes '70s-Era Terror Through Krautrock Lens

Scott Thill — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:25:00 GMT

Autonomous Quadrotors Fly Amazing Formations

Jason Paur — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:40:00 GMT

Roboticists at the University of Pennsylvania's GRASP are able to get as many as 20 amazing autonomous microcopters to fly in formation and perform complex maneuvers flawlessly.

Anonymous Eavesdrops on FBI Anti-Anonymous Strategy Meeting

Kim Zetter — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:16:00 GMT

As FBI and Scotland Yard investigators recently plotted out a strategy for tracking suspects linked to Anonymous, little did they know that members of the group were eavesdropping on their conference call and recording their plans.

Darpa Implants Could Track Your Stress Level 24/7

Katie Drummond — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT

In a new call fo research, Darpa's asking for proposals to devise prototype implantable biosensors. Once inserted under a soldier's skin, Darpa wants the sensors to provide round-the-clock, accurate measurements of "DoD-relevant biomarkers" like stress hormones, or compounds that signal inflammation.

Spectacular High-Res Image of Earth: The Other Side

Wired UK — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:34:00 GMT

Last week, NASA released its 2012 version of the famous "Blue Marble" image. By using a planet-pointing satellite, Suomi NPP, the space agency created an extremely high resolution photograph of our watery world.

Commentary: Face(book)ing the Music

John C Abell — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:08:00 GMT

The least suspenseful waiting game in Silicon Valley is now over, thank heavens. Facebook, which began as a decidedly private Harvard hangout, has begun the process of going absolutely, totally, unabashedly public. Can you put a price on friendship?

A Modern Measurement of the Radius of the Earth

Rhett Allain — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:31:00 GMT

How can we reproduce the Greek measurement of the radius of the Earth using modern technology? Dot Physics blogger Rhett Allain walks you through the steps to scientific stardom.

The Top 10 Reasons I Love Volcanoes (And You Should, Too)

Erik Klemetti — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:04:00 GMT

Volcanologist Erik Klemetti loves to pick on crummy news stories about geologic activity, and a love for volcanoes underlies his frequent chagrin. Follow the Eruptions blogger as he sounds off 10 reasons why you, too, should love volcanoes.

The Science of Soccer Deaths and Football Bets

Garth Sundem — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:30:00 GMT

There is an unfortunate but understandable psychology behind post-game violence.

Why Desktop Apps Would Be Bad News for Windows 8 Tablets

Christina Bonnington — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:35:00 GMT

How will ARM-based Windows 8 tablets mitigate the heavy payloads of traditional desktop apps? A new report suggests desktop application support will be limited but still present, contradicting an earlier statement by Windows lead Steven Sinofsky.

Solve This Word Challenge Without Cheating, Conniving, or Bamboozling

MichaelSalvador — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Wired's editors have faith in their readers, whom they're sure would never cheat when it comes to solving puzzles.