Wired Top Stories

Syndicate content
Top Stories
Updated: 5 weeks 3 days ago

DOJ Files Antitrust Suit Against Apple and 5 Publishers Over E-Book Pricing

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 14:29
Apple, MacMillan and Penguin intend to fight the lawsuit, at least for a time, strongly denying they colluded over prices and seeking to uphold the agency model that the launch of Apple's iBooks helped introduce to the e-book market.


DNA Ain't Destiny. No Kidding.

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 13:47


Tennessee's Anti-Science Bill Becomes Law

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 13:35
The opponents of science education have achieved a second success, next to a law passed in Louisiana -- the passage of a new law in Tennessee.


'Operation Chimichanga' Tests Pentagon's Stealth Strike Force

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 12:43
Operation Chimichanga was meant "to validate the long-range strike capability of the B-1s as well as the F-22s' and F-16s' ability to escort them into an anti-access target area," according to Lt. Col. Joseph Kunkel, commander of the Alaska-based Raptor squadron with the latest "Increment 3.1" upgrade. Unofficially, the exercise was a proof-of-concept for the Air Force's evolving tactics for battling China over the vast western Pacific.


There's a Lot to See -- Plan Your Summer Movie Schedule Now

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 12:30
As I sat through a half-hour of trailers at The Hunger Games this past weekend, I realized how many geektastic movies are coming out this summer that I'm going to want to see. Seriously. It's absolute madness how many geek-appealing movies are crammed into the next few months. I'm already behind, having not yet seen John Carter or Mirror Mirror yet. And since it's not often an easy task to get out to a movie when you have small children, that means it's time to make a list and start prioritizing! Bookmark this post with what's coming between now and September, and let's make a pact together to see as many as we can. Who's in?


DOJ Could Sue Apple Today Over E-Books: Reports

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 12:29
The Justice Department could sue Apple as early as Wednesday over e-book price fixing, Reuters reports, citing 'two people familiar with the matter.'


Videos Help Arm Young Skeptics With Logic

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 11:45
In a day and age where presidential candidates think that wanting to go to college makes you a snob and people listen to celebrities over scientists about the safety of life-saving vaccines, it often seems as if critical thinking is a long lost art. To help educate a new generation of skeptics, Australian firm Bridge 8 and animator James Hutson created a series of six short videos that introduce the viewer to the basic principles of logic and a clever and engaging way. Although this will not take the place of a college class, for school age children, these videos are a must see.


Geek Night Out: Marian Call, The Doubleclicks, PDXYAR

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 11:30
My wife and I got to have a date night on Sunday, thanks to Marian Call, The Doubleclicks, and PDXYAR. I'd read about Marian Call and her 49>50 tour as several GeekDad contributors got to see her in person, but at the time when she performed in Kansas I was still a good six hour drive from her venue. So, when we got word that she was doing a Pacific Northwest tour I booked the babysitter right away. Bonus: The Doubleclicks, a geeky girl duo local to Portland, were also part of the show (and since I missed them at GameStorm I was eager to see them as well). Extra Bonus: PDXYAR, a Portland-based pirate group. Super Extra Bonus: it wasn't just a concert; it was a chocolate potluck.


Hands Free Talking with GoJo

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 11:15
When I was first approached about reviewing the GoJo, I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical. Here's an adjustable headset with a suction cup that attaches to your mobile phone and allows you to talk on it without holding it. Yes, it does look a bit ridiculous. But let me explain why I actually plan on using the GoJo occasionally.


Exclusive Preview: GeekDad Gets <cite>Mad</cite> for Tad

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 10:45
On April 24, Mad Magazine #515 will fill us in on their take on the "50 Worst Things About America." I'm sure they'll give it the loving, satirical touch we all know and cherish. And speaking of unique perspectives, this issue will also run another of the Planet Tad blog entries. And GeekDad was lucky enough to grab an exclusive first look to share with you guys. In this installment, Tad tackles everything from the new Battleship movie to the day-to-day dealings with an annoying sibling. And he also poses a question regarding the Looney Tunes that I've wondered about forever.


Wavii Vows to Understand Entire Internet

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 10:40
Adrian Aoun wants to build a system that instantly understands everything posted to the internet. He started three years ago, and today, he and his company, Wavii, unveiled version number one. As it stands, Wavii's online service is a Facebook-like newsfeed for everything other than Facebook. It feeds you news about what's going on in the world at large, not just random tidbits from your friends and family. But in building this service, Aoun and company are tackling a much larger problem. They're trying to organize the internet's information in ways that machines can understand what's being said.


Uncompromising Photos Expose Juvenile Detention in America

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 10:30
On any given night in the U.S., there are approximately 60,500 youth confined in juvenile correctional facilities or other residential programs. Photographer Richard Ross has spent the past five years criss-crossing the country photographing the architecture, cells, classrooms and inhabitants of these detention sites.


April 11, 1888: Concertgebouw, Home of Nearly Perfect Acoustics, Opens

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 10:30
Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, a concert hall with nearly perfect acoustics, opens.


MSI Takes on <cite>Minecraft</cite>

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 10:30
I wonder how many people, especially geeky dads and?geeky moms, who may find themselves obssessing about their SWTOR character, or WoW character, and wanted to sit down on the spot and check out their character's inventory of weapons, clothing, space ship configurations (okay, so I'm an EVE Online player), or what have you. According to Taiwan-based MSI, the MSI GT 783 portable gaming laptop is geared towards gamers and shooter afficionados.


Humans vs. Robots: Who Should Dominate Space Exploration?

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 10:30
The most recent footprints on the moon having been sitting pretty for 40 years, and they're not likely to be updated anytime soon. Robotic wheels rather than human soles will probably make the next artificial mark on the lunar surface. For planetary scientist Ian Crawford of Birkbeck College in London, this is a shame. While robots have done all the recent planetary exploration in the solar system, he argues that human beings are far more efficient at producing good scientific results.


Station Audio's Acid-Etched Stompboxes Look Gritty, Sound Gorgeous

Wed, 04/11/2012 - 10:30
Stompbox maker Lyon Graulty cranks out gritty, gorgeous devices that please musicians' eyes as much as their ears. See some of the Texas tweaker's custom guitar pedals, which he adorns with bold etchings.