Wired News Digest
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
The 50 Best Shows on HBO Max, WIRED’s Picks (February 2026)
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The Pitt, and Industry are just a few of the shows you need to be watching on HBO Max this month.
Amazon Alexa+ Is Now Available to Everyone. Here’s How to Turn It Off (2026)
Alexa+ has been rolling out to everyone with a Prime membership, even if you didn’t ask for it. Here’s how to change it back.
These Feature-Packed Earbuds Are Less Than $50
Anker knocks almost half the cost off its already budget-friendly earbuds.
The State-Led Crackdown on Grok and xAI Has Begun
At least 37 attorneys general for US states and territories are taking action against xAI after Grok generated a flood of nonconsensual sexual images of women and minors.
New Data Shows Robotaxis Competing on Price—and Speed
Research from the ride-hail aggregator Obi finds Waymo is starting to edge up on Uber and Lyft in San Francisco. Tesla, which operates a ride-hail service with human drivers, is winning the price wars.
Meta Is Blocking Links To ICE List on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads
Users of Meta’s social platforms can no longer share links to ICE List, a website listing what it claims are the names of thousands of DHS employees.
Best Walking Pad Deals: Save $150 and More (2026)
Whether you’re working from home or just trying to hit your step goals, these walking pad deals make it easy to move every day.
Google DeepMind Staffers Ask Leaders to Keep Them ‘Physically Safe’ From ICE
A federal agent allegedly tried to enter Google’s Cambridge campus in the fall, WIRED has learned. Now, staffers want policies that protect them from immigration officials.
Pornhub Will Block New UK Users Starting Next Week to Protest ‘Flawed’ ID Law
Only users who have already registered and completed age verification will be able to access the world’s largest porn site.
The Best Ski Goggles, Editor Tested and Reviewed (2026)
From bluebird days to blizzards, WIRED tested the best ski goggles for all weather conditions.
This Humanoid Is Ready to Bring You a Toothbrush
Fauna, a new startup, is betting that humanoid robots will find success as hospitality workers, research assistants, and entertainers.
The Smart Light Bulbs Worth Buying in 2026: Cync, Meross, Tapo
If you’re new to smart home tech, light bulbs are an affordable, low-commitment place to start.
8 Best Laptops (2026), WIRED-Tested and Approved
Our expert team of laptop testers stand behind these Windows laptops, MacBooks, Chromebooks, and Linux portables.
He Leaked the Secrets of a Southeast Asian Scam Compound. Then He Had to Get Out Alive
A source trapped inside an industrial-scale scamming operation contacted me, determined to expose his captors’ crimes—and then escape. This is his story.
Revealed: Leaked Chats Expose the Daily Life of a Scam Compound’s Enslaved Workforce
A whistleblower trapped inside a “pig butchering” scam compound gave WIRED a vast trove of its internal materials—including 4,200 pages of messages that lay out its operations in unprecedented detail.
Where Tech Leaders and Students Really Think AI Is Going
We asked tech CEOs, journalists, entertainers, students, and more about the promise and peril of artificial intelligence. Here’s what they said.
Southwest Airlines Says Bye to Open Seating—and Hello to Boarding Complexity
An airline’s boarding policy shake-up shows the limits of efficiency. (Spoiler: It’s money.)
Intel’s Panther Lake Chips Aren’t Just Good—They Beat Apple’s M5
I’ve tested two new laptops powered by Panther Lake—pitting them head-to-head against laptops with Apple Silicon—and Intel has finally scored a much-needed win with the Core Ultra Series 3.
10% Dell Coupon Codes | January 2026
Get 10% off with verified Dell promo code, plus today’s coupons for up to $600 off laptops, Alienware monitors, and all things tech.
20% Off TurboTax Service Codes | January 2026
Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. Save up to 20% on federal tax filings, 10% off Full Service, and more with exclusive TurboTax discount codes on WIRED.