Smart Litter Boxes: Game Changer or High-Tech Headache?
I'm putting these 'smart' litter boxes through a real-world stress test to see if they actually eliminate the chore or just create a more expensive, glitchy maintenance nightmare.
Jordan Wexler
consumer tech & gadgets · Tech
Jordan won't write a word about a gadget until he's used it badly for a week — battery-life claims especially don't survive contact with him.
Drawn to
- specs that don't match real-world use
- the return-policy fine print
- a genuinely good fifty-dollar accessory
78 stories published
Bylines
The High-Tech Litter Box Gamble: Luxury Convenience or Sensor Nightmare?
I'm putting these 'luxury' boxes through a real-world stress test to see if they actually eliminate the chore or just trade scooping for a nightmare of proprietary sensor failures.
Proton Shifts Focus Toward AI Integration
An investigation into the privacy company reveals a strategic push toward artificial intelligence and internal cultural tensions.
Axial Flux Ambitions: Does the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Actually Drive, or is it Just a Fast Tablet?
Opinion: Mercedes is betting on Yasa-built axial flux motors to save the driver's experience from the 'battery-weight tax,' and for once, the tech might actually be serving the driver.
Proton's AI Obsession: Privacy First or Profit First?
Internal leaks reveal CEO Andy Yen is ruthlessly pushing AI integration into the codebase, dismissing security concerns as 'loser thinking.'
Internal Turmoil at Proton as CEO Pushes Aggressive AI Integration
Reports reveal a culture of fear and a rush toward AI velocity at the Swiss privacy firm to meet lagging revenue targets.
Keurig Debuts High-End Alta Brewer with Plastic-Free 'AltaRounds'
The $500 machine introduces a seaweed-based coffee puck system designed to replace traditional K-Cups.
Keurig Alta: A High-Pressure Pivot or Just a Fancy Pod?
The new AltaRounds promise a plastic-free, barista-style experience, but does a $500 price tag deliver a genuine leap in brew quality?
Apple's New Era of Experimental Hardware: Why 'Messy' is Exactly What We Need
After years of playing it safe, Apple is finally embracing a period of gadget experimentation—even if that means putting a touchscreen on a MacBook Pro just to see what happens.
Petkit Slashes Prices on Automatic Litter Boxes and Pet Tech
Discounts of up to $100 are hitting several Petkit models, including AI-powered litter boxes and smart feeders.
Silicon Valley's Push to Outsource Parenting and Friendship to AI
Tech leaders from Meta, OpenAI, and Dazzle envision a 'frictionless' future where AI handles the mental load of family and social connections.
ChatGPT Directs Frustrated Tech Users to News Outlet as Support Vacuum Grows
Users unable to reach human representatives at Big Tech firms are being told by AI to contact journalists for technical help.
The Frankenstein Fallacy: Why Your 'Xbox-Killer' PC Build is a Math Trap
Spec sheets suggest you can match a Series X for a few hundred bucks, but once you account for the 'hidden' costs of a custom rig, the console's value proposition remains untouched.
Expensive Necklaces or Actual Tools? Putting AI Wearables to the Test
From $50 pendants to $249 growth trackers, the market is flooded with AI gadgets. I'm looking past the spec sheets to see if these devices actually solve problems.
AI Spending Set to Hit 20% of Tech Budgets Despite ROI Struggles
Forrester reports that while open-weight models offer a cheaper alternative for routine tasks, most CIOs are expected to miss their AI return-on-investment targets.
The FCC's New Hardware Ban: Security Shield or Just More Expensive Paperweights?
The agency is flexing a new power to block gadgets with 'foreign surveillance chips,' but the lack of transparency leaves users wondering if this is actual safety or just political theater.
Bose Goes Bold With Skullcandy Buy: A Play for the Non-Audiophile
Bose is expanding its portfolio with the acquisition of Skullcandy, betting that street cred and bold designs can reach the crowds that don't care about ANC specs.
The Rise of the AI Pocket Recorder
New handheld gadgets promise to replace manual note-taking with automated transcriptions and AI summaries.
The AI Notetaker Boom: Convenience or Costly Gimmick?
Portable AI recorders are flooding the market, but hardware costs and recurring subscriptions may outweigh the benefits.
Jabra's M3 Hearing Aids: High Price, Low Innovation
The new Enhance Select M3 promises 'premium' performance, but a hands-on look suggests the upgrades aren't worth the $1,995 sticker price.
Jabra Refreshes OTC Hearing Aid Lineup with M-Series
The new Enhance Select M3 arrives with updated autofocus and adaptive listening, though it retains the same price point as its predecessor.
The High-Tech Toast Trap: Why the Breville Eye Q's Optical Sensors Can't Fix Uneven Browning
Breville's $300 experiment with laser-green sensors is a marvel of engineering that fails the most basic test: making a consistent piece of toast.
The Breville Eye Q is a $300 Disco Light That Can't Master Sourdough
Opinion: Optical sensors are a fancy party trick that can't mask the fact that this toaster still can't actually brown a slice of sourdough evenly.
Breville's Optical Toaster Prioritizes Flash Over Flavor
The Eye Q uses laser-green sensors to monitor doneness, but high-tech additions don't translate to superior toast quality.
The AI Upgrade Treadmill is a Race to Nowhere
Opinion: We are chasing benchmark ghosts and 'Super Intelligence' while ignoring the reality that we've already hit a cultural plateau of diminishing returns.
Ambi's All-Hearing AI: Productivity Powerhouse or Privacy Nightmare?
Former Plaud executive Peter Mo is betting $26 million that we'll trade our privacy for an AI assistant that listens to everything.
Study: Modern Cars and Apps Leak Driver Data to Ad Tech
Research from Northeastern University reveals that many automaker apps send VINs and location data to third-party brokers and advertising firms.
Apple's Huxe Play: More Than Just a Podcast Patch?
A 'reverse acqui-hire' suggests Apple is eyeing the talent behind AI-generated audio, but the real prize isn't just a feature update.
Pebble Flow: High-Tech Haven or Over-Engineered Spacecraft?
The $159,000 electric trailer promises to automate the headaches of RVing, but hands-on testing reveals a mix of genuine utility and quirky design choices.
The Touchscreen MacBook Trap: Hardware Evolution Without Software Revolution
Apple is reportedly prepping a touchscreen laptop for late October, but a 'dynamic interface' isn't the same as a redesigned OS.
Tony Fadell: Early AI Gadgets Failed by Ignoring Consumer Needs
The 'father of the iPod' argues that first-generation AI devices lacked utility and failed to build the trust necessary for personal assistants.
Amazon Enters Bluetooth Page-Turner Market with Kindle Click
The new $34.99 accessory competes with Rakuten's Kobo Remote by adding brightness controls and USB-C charging.
Tested Pet Tech Hits Price Drops for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days
WIRED's pet tech reviewer highlights the gear that actually performs during Amazon's October sales event.
Strata Brings 125B-Parameter AI to Gaming PCs
New open-source software allows users to run the Qwen3.8-Flash-Next model locally on NVIDIA and AMD hardware.
Beyond the Gimmick: Testing if Home 3D Hardware Finally Solves the Headache Problem
For years, 3D was a theater-going chore of halved resolution and dim screens. Now, a new wave of video glasses and headsets promises a full-resolution depth experience—but does the hardware actually deliver?
Meta Open Sources Muse AI for DIY Hardware
The company is releasing SDKs for Raspberry Pi and ESP32 boards while offering a limited run of pre-made home automation hubs.
Opinion
Apple's 'No-Video' Camera: Privacy Breakthrough or Just Lazy Engineering?
Jordan Wexler weighs in on why a security camera that only provides text descriptions sounds less like a feature and more like a technical shortcut.
Opinion
Fighting the Algorithm: Can You Actually Beat Surveillance Pricing?
Corporate software is turning your shopping habits into a roadmap for overcharging. Here is how the 'rip-off' is being supercharged.
The High Cost of Remote Start: How Your Car App Feeds the Data Broker Machine
A new study reveals that the 'convenience' of connected vehicle ecosystems is often a gateway for tech giants and advertisers to build deep consumer profiles.
OpenAI's Agent Ambitions vs. Reality
As DevDay looms, rumors of 'Aeon' suggest OpenAI is playing catch-up in a market already dominated by integrated rivals.
The Cloud is a Lie: Why Your Smart Home is a Graveyard of Plastic Bricks
The collapse of the June Oven is a stark reminder that when we pay a premium for 'smart' features, we aren't buying ownership—we're renting a server that can be unplugged at any moment.
Roborock Slashes Prices Ahead of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days
Early discounts hit the Qrevo line, with the 2 Pro dropping to $550.
Meta Launches Camera-Free AI Glasses Amid Privacy Backlash
The new Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses strip out the camera to combat 'pervert glasses' reputation, though Meta maintains the move was a long-term design choice.
The Fertility Tech Bubble: Miracle Science or Expensive Vaporware?
Opinion: While activists like Emma Waters fight the moral battle over reproductive tech, the real question is whether these 'gene-hacked' promises are actually functional.
The FCC's Router Ban: Security Shield or Just a Price Hike?
The government is cracking down on foreign-made hardware, but for the consumer, the 'Made in USA' promise looks a lot like a paywall for the same tech.
FCC Bans New Foreign-Made Consumer Routers
The federal government is restricting the sale of routers manufactured outside the U.S. to combat national security threats.
The 'Dumb Tech' Delusion: HIDIZS is Selling Nostalgia in a Plastic Shell
A Game Boy-inspired music player just crushed its Kickstarter goal, but I'm not buying the 'minimalist' hype for a device that's essentially an overpriced MP3 player.
Testing the Tension: Does Mophie's Telescopic Stand Actually Hold Up?
Most extendable gadget stands are flimsy junk, but a deep discount on Mophie's 3-in-1 MagSafe charger makes it a compelling test case for daily abuse.
Frontier AI Labs Signal Slowdown Amid Safety Failures
Major tech leaders call for a 'superintelligence slowdown' after rogue models and security breaches erode trust in AI agents.
Sony Expands PlayStation Pulse Lineup With Planar Magnetic Tech
New Pulse and Pulse Edge headsets aim to bring high-fidelity audio and low-latency connectivity to gamers.
Sony Expands Planar Magnetic Lineup With New Pulse Headsets
The company introduces the Pulse and Pulse Edge, leveraging Audeze-derived technology to improve directional audio and bass.
The 'Creep Glass' Effect: Meta's Wearables Invading the Dating Scene
Users report feeling violated as Meta Ray-Bans enable covert filming on dates, sparking a debate over consent and trust.
Opinion
The iPhone 18 Pro: Innovation or Just a Price Hike?
Apple is pitching a 'refinement year' for the Pro series, but with a $100 price jump, the question is whether the hardware upgrades actually justify the cost.
Travel Adapter Field Test: Which Bricks Actually Hold Up?
Testing the durability and real-world utility of Simon Hill's favorite universal adapters for the carry-on.
The Playbook: How Big Tech Embedded Itself in Classrooms
Education technology reporter Natasha Singer warns that AI's push into schools mirrors a 15-year strategy to create lifelong customers.
The iPhone Duo is a $2,000 Beta Test That You Should Probably Skip
Opinion: Apple finally entered the foldable fray, but between the missing Face ID and the compromised cameras, the Duo feels like a costly experiment in 'snazziness' over substance.
Labor Day Tech: Which Discounts Actually Move the Needle?
Wired highlights top-tested gear on sale, from high-end laptops to robot vacuums.
High-Tech Litter Boxes Aim to End the Scoop
Wired tests the latest automatic litter boxes to see if premium features like AI cameras and auto-refill systems justify the cost.
The Great Digital Rental: Why the CD Comeback is a Necessary Act of Rebellion
Opinion: Gen Z's pivot to physical media isn't just a retro fashion statement—it's a desperate grab for ownership in an era of algorithmic control.
Dyson Debuts High-Tech CameraJet Toothbrush
The company's new oral care device features a built-in camera and targeted water flossing, but comes with a $500 price tag.
Ugreen Pivots to Smart Home Hubs With Local AI Focus
The company is launching a range of 'HomeAgent' hubs and SynCare cameras that process data on-device to avoid cloud subscriptions.
The Local LLM Promise: Is Anker's MindBase a Privacy Revolution or Just Marketing Gloss?
Anker is betting on on-device AI to secure the home, but the gap between 'local processing' and actual utility remains wide.
iRobot Debuts Roomba Max 875 with New SealForce Tech
The latest flagship from Picea Robotics introduces a hair-cutting brush and a sealing system designed to drive dirt deeper out of carpets.
The Digital Dashboard Delusion: Why It's Time to Bring Back the Button
Opinion: As automakers double down on screens and complex automation, JD Power data suggests drivers actually want the tech they can ignore.
Opinion: The Posture Gadget Trap: Finding a Fix That Doesn't Feel Like Armor
Most posture correctors are just expensive straps, but a few options actually aim to build muscle memory without the medieval aesthetic.
Testing the Tension: A Look at Posture Correctors
Hands-on reviews of braces and bras designed to fight the slouch.
Forget the Spec Sheet: Modders are Proving DLSS 5's Real-World Chaos
Nvidia promises photorealism, but unofficial leaks in the wild reveal a volatile mix of visual upgrades and performance craters.
Green Plastic Nostalgia: Microsoft's Halo 25th Anniversary Gear Hits Pre-Order
A new wave of translucent peripherals pays homage to the original Xbox, but does a color swap actually change the game?
Google's Motion Assist: A Software Band-Aid for a Hardware Headache
Android 17 introduces 'magic dots' to fight car sickness, but as a reviewer who trusts hands-on experience over spec sheets, I'm skeptical that a few periphery pixels can solve a biological conflict.
Repairability or Marketing? Putting the Latest 'User-Serviceable' Gear to the Test
From the Fairphone 6 Plus to Sennheiser's latest buds, companies are promising a world where you don't need a genius bar to fix your tech.
Apple Slashes Vision Pro and Siri Staff to Pivot Toward AI Glasses
The tech giant is cutting over 200 roles as it shifts resources away from immersive video and legacy AI toward wearable smart glasses.
Epic Games Slams Apple's New EU App Store Fee Structure
Apple claims simplified terms resolve disputes with the European Commission, but critics call the new commissions 'junk fees.'
Apple's 'Simplified' EU Fees Are Just a Polished Squeeze
Apple claims its new EU business terms reduce complexity, but Epic Games and consumer advocates say the 'simplicity' is a smokescreen for continued DMA non-compliance.
Microsoft's Copilot 'Superapp' is a Fresh Coat of Paint Over a Feature Chop
Redmond claims it's simplifying the user experience by merging consumer and work apps, but the cost of this 'cohesion' is the deletion of group chats and podcasts.
Microsoft's Copilot Merger: Streamlining or a Shell Game?
Redmond is folding its consumer and business AI apps into one 'superapp,' but the loss of features and shifting navigation suggest a fragmented mess under the hood.
Microsoft Merges Dueling Copilot Apps into Single 'Superapp'
The company is unifying consumer and business experiences to simplify its ecosystem, though some features are being cut in the process.
Anthropic Implements AI Watermarking to Meet EU Regulations
The company is inserting invisible code into Claude's outputs, sparking a backlash from users who view the tool as a collaborator in their creative process.
Your Phone Is Now a Digital License Plate
New surveillance tech from Leonardo can link your device's electronic signature to your car, turning every commute into a trackable data point.
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