Wired News Digest
Thursday, 29 January 2026
‘Uncanny Valley’: Minneapolis Misinformation, TikTok’s New Owners, and Moltbot Hype
On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we dive into the news that’s held our attention this week: ICE activity as it’s been unfolding in Minnesota.
The 45 Best Movies on HBO Max Right Now (February 2026)
One Battle After Another, The Smashing Machine, and Sinners are just a few of the movies you should be watching on HBO Max this month.
AI-Generated Anti-ICE Videos Are Getting the Fanfic Treatment
Across Instagram and Facebook, AI-generated videos show people of color putting ICE agents in their place. Are they cathartic or just adding to a stew of misinformation?
A Yann LeCun–Linked Startup Charts a New Path to AGI
As the world’s largest companies pour hundreds of billions of dollars into large language models, San Francisco-based Logical Intelligence is trying something different in pursuit of AI that can mimic the human brain.
Our Favorite Open Earbuds Are $60 Off
The Anker Soundcore Aeroclip earbuds boast great sound without cutting you off from the outside world.
ICE Pretends It’s a Military Force. Its Tactics Would Get Real Soldiers Killed
WIRED asked an active military officer to break down immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
An AI Toy Exposed 50,000 Logs of Its Chats With Kids to Anyone With a Gmail Account
AI chat toy company Bondu left its web console almost entirely unprotected. Researchers who accessed it found nearly all the conversations children had with the company’s stuffed animals.
Nvidia’s Campaign to Sell AI Chips to China Finally Pays Off
Beijing reportedly approved the sale of hundreds of thousands of Nvidia H200 chips to Chinese AI companies—the culmination of a dramatic shift in US tech policy.
Trump Admin’s Plans for $500 Million USIP Building May Violate Court Order, Say Former Workers
The State Department is poised to take over a building DOGE seized from the US Institute of Peace, former staffers claim—possibly for Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace.”
Best Ski Gloves and Mittens, Editor Tested and Reviewed (2026)
Warm fingers mean more fun for all, so WIRED tested the best ski gloves and mittens for every condition.
Best Open Earbuds (2026): Bose, Soundcore, and More
These wireless earbuds with an “open” design let you zone out to your music while also keeping aware of your surroundings.
6 Best Coffee Makers (2026): Drip Is Drippin’
The old-fashioned drip coffee maker has come a long way. Our favorite machines here can turn your barista into a stranger.
This Chinese Startup Wants to Build a New Brain-Computer Interface—No Implant Required
Gestala is the latest company to emerge from China’s burgeoning brain-computer interface industry. It plans to access the brain with noninvasive ultrasound technology.
50% Off Blue Apron Promo Codes | February 2026
Browse chef-curated meal plans, plus get $25 off with an exclusive Blue Apron coupon code, plus 50% off your first 2 orders, and more top coupons on WIRED.
50% Off DoorDash Promo Code | February 2026
Explore today’s top DoorDash promo codes for $25 off your first order, free delivery, and up to 50% off for existing customers.
15% Off Dyson Promo Code | February 2026
Get 15% off with a Dyson coupon code, plus save up to $600 with discounts on vacuums, $150 off Airwraps, and more.
30% Off Samsung Promo Code | February 2026
Save 30% or 10% with Samsung coupon codes, up to $1,000 on appliances, plus limited-time deals on the Galaxy Z Fold7, Flip7, and S25.
Data Centers Are Driving a US Gas Boom
Gas projects in the US pipeline explicitly linked to data centers increased by almost 25 times over the past two years, according to new research from Global Energy Monitor.
ICE Is Using Palantir’s AI Tools to Sort Through Tips
ICE has been using an AI-powered Palantir system to summarize tips sent to its tip line since last spring, according to a newly released Homeland Security document.
Here’s the Company That Sold DHS ICE’s Notorious Face Recognition App
Immigration agents have used Mobile Fortify to scan the faces of countless people in the US—including many citizens.