Water filters are a booming fear-based economy. But people have good reasons to be leery of their drinking water—chlorine, microplastics, PFAS everywhere, heavy metals in the groundwater, whatever else bothers me tomorrow. But while most water filters seem to make many promises, only some back them up with independent third-party lab tests—something I’ve been sad…
Workers at the Social Security Administration have been told to share information about in-person appointments with agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, WIRED has learned. “If ICE comes in and asks if someone has an upcoming appointment, we will let them know the date and time,” an employee with direct knowledge of the directive says….
When it comes to winter driving, most people know the importance of having good tires to provide a sure-footed grip for ice and snow. But a question that often comes up in the winter months is whether lowering the tire pressure can give you even better traction in the snow. Off-roaders and beachgoers sometimes reduce…
Keith Barry Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a…
Other Leak Detectors We Like TP-Link Tapo T300 Water Leak Detector Photograph: Simon Hill TP-Link Tapo T300 Water Leak Detector for $20: What I like most about these water leak detectors is that they have four metal probes underneath and two above, so they swiftly detect water dripping on top or pooling beneath. Alerts came…
Vehicles recalled: Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager minivans manufactured between May 10, 2022, and Nov. 3, 2024. The problem: Due to an improperly sealed seam, the side curtain airbags may not have sufficient pressure retention during deployment. As such, they do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, “Ejection Mitigation.” The fix:…
Pros: Strongest wrap we tested, rips cleanly, excellent adhesion, doesn’t leak.Cons: Doesn’t handle chicken-pounding as well as we’d like. If you use only one brand of plastic wrap for the rest of your life, make it Stretch-Tite. This one far exceeded the others in our lab stretch and tension tests, and the only other brand…
“We will never compromise on safety. When staffing constraints arise, the FAA will slow down air traffic at impacted airports to ensure operations remain safe,” FAA spokesperson Hannah Walden tells WIRED, adding that Transportation secretary Sean Duffy “said that air traffic controllers who report to work will be paid. Regarding reductions in force (RIFs), DOT…
Like Vaseline, ChapStick is a brand with a long, storied history. I’ve always associated it with the classic cherry ChapStick of my youth, so discovering this richer balm was a delightful surprise. We couldn’t agree on its hydration, longevity, and taste (yep, taste), which knocked it out of the runner-up slot, but it deserves an…
While Dolby imposes no hard limit on the number or type of speakers (or subwoofers) you can use in a single FlexConnect system, each manufacturer’s choice of processor determines what’s feasible. What you can’t do is use any other company’s wireless speakers—whether they’re FlexConnect-compatible or not. Naturally, this raises the question of compatibility. When other…
