Industry
The five new gadgets I tried and loved at CES 2026 (that you can buy right now)
I'm a digital nomad who works on the road. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) gives us a glimpse of what's around the corner in tech: creepy humanoid robots, robovacs that climb stairs, AI baked into everything. The Guardian's journalism is independent.
Proposed legislation opens the door to robotaxi services in New York
Apple's Siri AI will be powered by Gemini Governor Hochul is backing a pilot program to offer commercial self-driving car services in the state. Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car company, tested its autonomous vehicles in New York City in 2025, and as part of proposed legislation from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the company could soon offer its services across the state, reports . Governor Hochul's proposed legislation was formally announced during a State of the State address covering policy proposals for the upcoming year. The new law, if passed, would loosen the state's restrictions on self-driving car companies by forming a pilot program that would allow for the limited deployment of commercial for-hire autonomous passenger vehicles outside New York City. Applicants to the pilot program would need to demonstrate that they have local support for [autonomous vehicle] deployment and prove their adherence to the highest possible safety standards to be considered.
Amazon is blowing out LEVOIT air purifiers so you can filter out irritants
The air in your house sucks--fix it with these Amazon deals on air purifiers and humidifiers. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. If your sinuses are staging a revolt or your living room smells suspiciously like last night's stir-fry, it's probably time to call in a serious air purifier. LEVOIT's lineup routinely tops our lists because models cover everything from compact bedroom workhorses to family-room heavy hitters, and these Amazon deals are a chance to upgrade your home air quality before the next wave of wildfire smoke, pet shedding, or pollen hits. And there are also humidifiers on sale.
Why the World's Best AI Systems Are Still So Bad at Pokémon
Why the World's Best AI Systems Are Still So Bad at Pokémon Pillay is an editorial fellow at TIME. Pillay is an editorial fellow at TIME. Right now, live on Twitch, you can watch three of the world's smartest AI systems-- GPT 5.2, Claude Opus 4.5, and Gemini 3 Pro --doing their best to beat classic Pokémon games. At least by human standards, they are not very good. The systems are slow, overconfident, and often confused.
Everything Is Content for the 'Clicktatorship'
Everything Is Content for the'Clicktatorship' In the second Trump administration, online conspiracy theories are shaping real-world policies like never before. In President Donald Trump's second term, everything is content . Videos of immigration raids are shared widely on X by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), conspiracy theories dictate policy, and prominent right-wing podcasters and influencers have occupied high-level government roles. The second Trump administration is, to put it bluntly, very online. Trump and his supporters have long trafficked in--and benefited from-- misinformation and conspiracy theories, leveraging them to build visibility on social media platforms and set the tone of national conversations.
Is it illegal to own an axolotl? It depends.
Is it illegal to own an axolotl? A recent pet seizure at Chicago's O'Hare Airport illustrates ongoing confusion. Many pet axolotls are crossbred with other salamanders to create their unique coloration. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. The axolotl () is a confusing creature, and not simply because it looks like a real-life Pokémon .
Roblox's AI-Powered Age Verification Is a Complete Mess
Roblox's AI-Powered Age Verification Is a Complete Mess Kids are being identified as adults--and vice versa--on Roblox, while age-verified accounts are already being sold online. Just days after launching, Roblox's much-hyped AI-powered age verification system is a complete mess. Roblox's face scanning system, which estimates peoples' ages before they can access the platform's chat functions, rolled out in the US and other countries around the world last week, after initially launching in a few locations in December. Roblox says it is implementing the system to allow users to safely chat with users of similar ages. But players are already in revolt because they can no longer chat to their friends, developers are demanding Roblox roll back the update, and crucially, experts say that not only is the AI mis-aging young players as adults and vice versa, the system does little to help address the problem it was designed to tackle: the flood of predators using the platform to groom young children.
Shortcut Your System With a Discounted Elgato Stream Deck
Elgato's Stream Deck+ adds knobs and an LCD for even more info at a glance. If you're an aspiring (or successful) streamer looking to upgrade your production value, the Elgato Stream Deck family is an excellent way to put your most important controls at your fingertips. Right now you can score the upgraded Elgato Stream Deck +, with eight buttons, an LCD screen, and four knobs, for just $160, a $40 markdown from its usual price. As a former (unsuccessful) Twitch streamer, I can attest firsthand to how useful the Stream Deck was for managing my broadcasts while also gaming and dealing with chat. The main draw here is close integration with streaming platforms like OBS, letting you adjust stream parameters, mute or unmute audio tracks, and even change layouts with the press of a button.
China's Hottest App Is a Daily Test of Whether You're Still Alive
China's Hottest App Is a Daily Test of Whether You're Still Alive Are You Dead Yet soared to the top of app-store charts and became a magnet for investors. In an exclusive interview with WIRED, one of its creators says they're changing the name anyway. An indie app with only one function is currently all the rage in China . It's called (死了吗), which translates literally to "Are You Dead Yet." The app asks users to tap a button once every day, and if they fail to do so for two consecutive days, it automatically sends an email to a designated emergency contact, urging them to check on the user in person.