Can AI Avoid the Enshittification Trap?

I recently vacationed in Italy. As one does these days, I ran my itinerary past GPT-5 for sightseeing suggestions and restaurant recommendations. The bot reported that the top choice for dinner near our hotel in Rome was a short walk down Via Margutta. It turned out to be one of the best meals I can…

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Talking Cars 484: 2026 Hyundai Palisade

Main theme: In this episode, the podcast panel gives their first impressions of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. How does the redesign of this popular SUV stack up in a rather competitive SUV segment? Does the update balance fuel economy and power delivery? And do some of the luxury appointments come at a premium price?  The…

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Best Headphones of 2025

Allen St. John Allen St. John has been a senior product editor at CR since 2016, focusing on digital privacy, audio devices, printers, and home products. He was a senior editor at Condé Nast and a contributing editor at publications including Road & Track and The Village Voice. A New York Times bestselling author, he’s…

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Portable vs. Whole-House Generator: Which Is Right for You?

The portable models in our generator ratings run on gasoline, burning through 12 to 20 gallons per day, depending on the unit’s output and the load being powered. That means you’ll have to store a significant quantity of gasoline, start the generator manually, and refill it (when it’s off, to minimize fire danger) after running…

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Europe Pledges $600 Billion for Clean Energy Projects in Africa

“From the outset, the Global Gateway has been described as the European Union’s attempt to rival the Belt and Road Initiative’s overseas infrastructure investment funds. At €300 billion through 2027, however, it is a David-versus-Goliath-style undertaking,” says Gabriele Rosana, an associate fellow at the Institute of International Affairs in Rome. China has already been investing…

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How to Clean Your Headphones

Except for a handful of models marketed specifically for swimming, headphones should never be submerged in water. (Electronics and water don’t mix well.) Even “water-resistant” models—which are designed to stand up to sweat or rain, not a dunking—should never get more than slightly damp. Don’t apply any liquid directly to the headphones, and when you…

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15 Best Laptops (2025), WIRED-Tested and Approved

How Much Should You Spend on a Laptop? AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron If you’re shopping for a laptop, you probably have an idea of how much you want to spend. But some context might help put things in perspective. The cheapest laptops cost around $200, but they can range up to $5,000. Meanwhile, the average amount people…

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How Safe Is Your Baby’s Pacifier?

Before 2008, there was no requirement for pacifiers—or any children’s products—to be tested for safety, according to Nancy Cowles, product safety advocate and former executive director of the nonprofit Kids in Danger. “I think that consumers can trust that pacifiers sold at major retailers have been tested,” Cowles says. “It might be harder to tell…

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Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar System Review: Glorious Atmos

Most people aren’t using physical media anymore, which is why I spent the majority of my time testing the HW-Q990F with streaming media. I find that Apple TV has the best audio quality of any of the major streaming services, which tracks with my experience testing this bar: Atmos-mixed shows like sci-fi hit Foundation come…

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Best Blender and Food Processor Combos of 2025

“There’s a trend in small appliances where people prefer a multipurpose machine that can do it all,” says Stacy Canova-Turner, a CR market analyst who covers small kitchen appliances. “It’s true for blenders, food processors, toaster ovens, and air fryers. For instance, with the right combination blender and food processor, you can make your favorite…

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