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Earlier this year, WIRED published a story that asked a question that seemed to encapsulate internet culture in 2017: What does 'covfefe' mean? The nonsense term was tweeted out by President Donald Trump, and the internet went into a fit trying to define it. As WIRED culture writer Angela Watercutter wrote, "Nearly every great meme starts with an obscure word, hashtag, or image that is then granted humor based on what the internet does with it. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The most annoying part of vacuuming is the prep work. If you want to avoid making thousands of little tiny passes with an awkward push vacuum, you have to invest a significant amount of time picking up and putting away toys, cleaning up clothes, and moving furniture. Unfortunately, many robot vacuums do not offer significant improvements in this regard. Their instruction manuals warn you to tidy up beforehand if you don’t want the botvac to get stuck. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Recently, someone asked me if I thought people were cooking at home less frequently than they used to. I bristled at the query, probably because I was worried that it might be true. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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Handing your child a teddy bear with an embedded camera is a bad idea. But a kid-friendly tablet, with carefully curated content under direct parental supervision, is another thing altogether. Our recommended tablet for kids is the Amazon Fire HD 8 for Kids, which we reviewed earlier this year. Its parental controls and rugged design make it ideal for your tot, but there are five things you should look for when you set up your Amazon Fire for Kids device for the first time. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When I worked at Texas Monthly magazine, there was no surer way to capture a reader's attention than to put Willie Nelson on the cover or in the headline. It seems WIRED's version of the Red-Headed Stranger is one Elon Musk. This year, the Tesla CEO (probably better known as a hat salesman) finally launched the car company's Model 3 and unveiled an electric big rig to much fanfare—and to much interest of the WIRED audience. But it wasn't just Tesla dominating the headlines. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Every year more movies hit theaters than any sane person could ever hope to try to see. Yet we here at WIRED are crazy enough to try to see as many as we can. And in the process we often catch films that might fall under the radar (or just get overlooked in lieu of a second, or third, viewing of Thor: Ragnarok or Star Wars: The Last Jedi). Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In an NFL game, every big play is a content earthquake. The moment Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones catches a touchdown by ripping the ball out of a hapless defender's hands, the effects ripple far and wide. Somebody in the stands with a good view uploads their video to Instagram. Fantasy scores and online gamecasts update. Twitter goes nuts. Friends text "DID YOU SEE THAT" with a bunch of wide-eye emoji. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The most convincing lie Steve Jobs ever told was "you already know how to use it." For years, Apple crowed about its ability to build gadgets that were so simple and obvious, they were practically ingrained—as if you could emerge from decades of cryogenic freeze and instinctively understand how to 3D-Touch the camera app icon and snap a selfie. Need proof? Just look at this adorable video of a two-year old, already playing games on her iPad! That notion, of course, is false. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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It’s impossible to write a review of any smart thermostat without addressing the elephant in the room—the Nest thermostat. As WIRED’s David Pierce has said, the Nest has been the gateway to smart thermostat ownership for millions. It was my family's first smart thermostat. When the Nest first came out, we installed it, downloaded the app, and rubbed our hands together gleefully. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The San Francisco company Mafia Bags has been making beautiful and functional bags out of recycled materials for years. The brand's trademark medium is sailcloth, the remnants of spent boating sails and kites that would otherwise end up in the trash. Last month, Mafia teamed up with Adam Savage to make the EDC One, an all-white sailcloth utility bag. Now, the company has teamed with noted designer Yves Béhar to make a backpack called the Deep Blue Bag. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

‘Tis the season to pause and take stock. Have you been nice to the cars in your life? The automotive suppliers? The Uber drivers? How about the family? If you’ve got some making up to do, Jack Stewart has you covered, with seven last-minute gift ideas for the auto lover in your life. Speaking of folks who probably owe some sorrys: Uber capped off its year of suck with the release of a potentially key piece of evidence in its ongoing lawsuit with Waymo. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Yes, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is in theaters and that’s all you really need to know. Well, that and the fact that it made a lot of money and has been surprisingly divisive amongst fans. (Maybe.) Now you're all caught up. Let’s just get on with things, shall we? The Source: The cinemas around the world Probability of Accuracy: Entirely on point. The Real Deal: Turns out, a lot of people wanted to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

You have to be a hardcore avgeek to enjoy flying these days. People shuffling from one line to the next, shoes off, laptops out, passports checked, power failures, where’s the bar? But airlines, airport operators, and security staff, are turning to tech to ease the pain. Here are some of the latest airport innovations to look out for. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

All Michael Tucker wanted was to learn how to be a better writer. Film school had given him a solid background in film theory and plenty of directing experience, but when he moved to Los Angeles a couple of years after graduation, Tucker decided his weakest asset was his screenwriting. "If I want to be serious and get to the next level," he told himself, "I need to have a script that is good. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

I love the smell of neoprene in the morning, and that’s not just an Apocalypse Now reference. It’s the truth. If you've ever surfed, the smells of neoprene, wax, and salt water all have powerful memories attached to them. It’s just too bad that neoprene, as a material, is terrible for the environment. It’s made from petrochemicals in a process that is extremely energy-intensive, and it doesn’t ever break down. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The scale of the future does not have numbers or dials. It does not tweet out your body fat percentage, nor does it calculate how much water you're currently retaining. The scale of the future will not scream at you when you’ve come home after a long night of drinking and ordered an entire pizza, fully loaded, to eat by yourself. It knows when you’ve done this, of course. It just doesn’t tell you. The scale of the future won't even tell you how much you weigh. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Another December, another massive opening for a Star Wars movie—this time to the tune of $450 million worldwide. That alone isn't really surprising; Star Wars fans tend to be the See It Opening Weekend type. What is surprising, though, is how divisive the film turned out to be. (Star Wars fans also tend to be the Argue About Changes to Their Fave Franchise type, too, apparently. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Whether you loved it or hated it (most people liked it), everyone can agree there's a lot to unpack in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. It's 2 hours and 35 minutes of drama, space fights, switched sides, and creatures—at least one of which Mark Hamill drinks from. That's kind of a lot. But don't say Rian Johnson never gave you anything. And really, fans should expect nothing less from him. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Last week, I spent two days holed up in a drab Sheraton hotel just outside of downtown San Diego. My only company came from Alexa, in the form of Amazon's new Echo Spot. This is the company's newest Echo device, yet another way to bring Alexa inside your house. It's also the second Echo with a screen and a camera, after the Echo Show. The Spot is a similar thing, only a lot smaller and a lot better-looking. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

I know there's one big reason you're reading this review, so I'll get right to it: The Google Home Max sounds just fantastic. It's a big speaker, powerful and dramatic. It's deep and weighty on the bottom, clear everywhere else, and well-rounded overall. It's voice is better than I expected, and also much louder. As much as I wanted to turn it up while I was testing it, I kept nervously nudging the volume down because it puts out such a wallop. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The best smart home gadgets are the ones that you can set and forget: A scheduled robot vacuum comes in the night and picks up all your crumbs while you’re sleeping, like a magical crumb fairy. A microwave’s internal sensors defrost a hunk of frozen pork without scorching. To wit: A great device is one that lets you be as stupid as you want. Here’s how effective the August Smart Lock Pro is: I keep forgetting my car keys. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When the Ford GT won its class in the famously grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race last year, it wasn't just a celebration for the team which developed the all new supercar. It was a relief. The victory in the GTE Pro class came 50 years after Ford's historic 1966 win with the GT40, when the American automaker proved (mostly to spite Ferrari) that it could dominate the track in Europe as well as the US. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Who can even manage to get into the holiday spirit considering the whirlwind week that just passed? Not only was Southern California on fire, but several politicians resigned amidst sexual harassment claims while others continued to run for office despite facing their own sexual abuse allegations. Yes, time continued to speed up last week, but what else happened? Just a few small things. Keep reading. What Happened: The President of the United States wants Americans to own America. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

There are plenty of reasons for outrage coming out of Washington, DC, these days, but this week the divided region found a common enemy. The express lanes on Interstate 66 near DC, previously reserved for vehicles carrying two or more people, opened up to solo travelers. Except those single-occupancy vehicles have to pay a toll, one that fluctuates according to demand. The world watched, aghast, as tolling prices hit $40 for folks headed into the capital on Tuesday morning. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The largest and most destructive fire burning in California continues to grow, consuming dry brush as it races not just through but across the canyons north of Los Angeles. Strong winds and dry conditions mean flames can leap large distances, prompting thousands to evacuate their homes. The Thomas Fire has now spread from Ventura County into Santa Barbara County, burning up 230,000 acres—an area larger than New York City and Boston combined. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

If you’re getting bored with pounding out the miles on a treadmill or a track, or if you’re anticipating a crowded gym once everyone makes their New Year’s resolutions, you should try trail running. It’s recreational hiking at high velocity. You get fresh air, scenic views, and a great workout, all in one. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Everybody loves a good #thread. You know the type: those long strings of related messages designed to tell a story or make a point that can't be expressed in a single tweet. They used to be called tweetstorms; now they're just threads. The Trump era has spawned many threads, and you can find good ones on everything from Starbucks zombies to Olive Garden fights to the deeply personal ramifications of health-care policy. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

My daily coffee routine goes something like this: I arrive at the office, drop my bag next to my desk, grab my mug, and head to the kitchen. I fill it to the brim with the delicious Stumptown brews WIRED provides and bring it back to my desk. Then begins a careful countdown: I have to wait a few minutes for the joe to cool, then drink it as fast as possible before it gets cold. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jaron Lanier may not have sired the term virtual reality—that honor generally goes to French playwright Antonin Artaud in 1938—but he’s one hell of a father figure. As the founder of legendary VR company VPL Research, he both popularized the term and helped create most of the enduring icons of early VR, from The Lawnmower Man’s snazzy headset and gear to the ill-fated Nintendo Power Glove. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It is hard not to anthropomorphize robot vacuums. They live in your house. Some work with focused intensity, zipping back and forth; others bounce haphazardly from wall to wall. Some are loud, others quiet. Some will even bombard you with text messages while you’re at work. As I watched the Neato Botvac D5 Connected climb determinedly into a dog food bowl, the comparison that came most readily to mind was Lenny from John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

I take sick joy in flying. Most people hate air travel. I get it—the atrocious lines, the cramped seating, the overpriced gum at Hudson News. I endure it because it provides many hours of blissful me time. I devour podcasts. Kindle books. Magazines. Entire Pink Floyd albums. I might even chat with my wife a little. (I never, ever, pay for Wi-Fi. It always sucks and it makes me think about work.) I absolutely love it. Headphones are a big (really big) part of this narcissistic orgy of self. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

If you want to cheap out on a new shirt—you’re heading, say, to Target instead of Bergdorf Goodman—you probably expect to get a totally fine piece of cloth to hang on your back, and won't get too upset when it inevitably falls apart. The same, tragically, does not apply to American roads. If you don’t pay what the street is worth, the street is going to be bad, for everyone: potholed, packed with traffic, smoggy, poorly monitored by law enforcement. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

At this point, it's safe to assume that everyone's been affected by one megabreach or another. But when the next Equifax debacle happens, know that there's plenty you can do to help dampen the fallout. When a big company that has your personal information—like passwords or credit card numbers—gets hacked, it means, in a way, that you got hacked too. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A hat made from Rambouillet wool is a perfectly nice hat. The fiber, shorn from a Rambouillet sheep, is fine and soft. Not at all scratchy. “They call it the American merino,” says Dan Widmaier, the founder of Bolt Threads, a biotech company that grows synthetic spider silk from yeast. Earlier this year, Bolt bought Best Made Company, a high-design outdoor brand that makes hand painted axes and fancy toolboxes. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The China trip was only supposed to last 10 days. For Konstantinos Karatsevidis, the 23-year-old CEO of a new gadget maker called Eve, it was just a quick check-in to make sure production was rolling smoothly on his latest product. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

There was a time when every gadget did something completely different. Your phone was fast and lasted three days in your pocket, but it could only do a few things. Your computer was massively capable, but so big you couldn't lug it anywhere. Everything had a purpose, and they rarely overlapped. But now? Now it's different. You can watch movies, play games, and do Very Serious Work on any number of devices—phone, laptop, tablet—and in lots of different places. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Look, the news is hardly ever “normal” anymore. If we all got a CNN alert in the middle of the night that militarized guppies had taken over the southern tip of Florida, it probably wouldn’t even warrant sitting up in bed. That said, hearing that Quentin Tarantino has reportedly successfully pitched a new Star Trek movie that J.J. Abrams might produce is still a record-skip, halt-the-dancefloor moment. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

During Sunday's NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson makes a pretty nice move. After taking the ball and running with it, he makes a quick pitch off to the side while faking out the defender. Looks pretty cool, but it probably wasn't legal. In the NFL, you can only toss the ball backwards once you cross the line of scrimmage. This should have been a penalty for an illegal forward pass, but it looks like he got away with it. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

As the release date for Star Wars: The Last Jedi approaches at ludicrous speed, stories on the creation of the movie—and teases about what might happen in it, or even after it—are beginning to pile up on all sides of the information superhighway. Don't know what to listen to or who to believe? Dear friends, just trust in the Force and keep reading. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Let’s say you have to run an errand, a small-ish one. You’re stopping by your doctor’s office to pick up a prescription; you gotta return a regretted online purchase at the post office. How do you get there? A bunch of tiny factors contribute to your decision, but if you have a car one of the biggest is probably: Can I park? Thousands, maybe millions of people in your city are making small choices like yours every day. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In the rearview mirror, innovation tends to look smooth, a clean progression from there to here. Living through that change is bit more herky-jerky. This week, I got a ride in General Motors’ self-driving car as it slowly made its way through San Francisco’s chaotic streets—with plenty of stops and starts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

While the world's most famous automakers were pulling the covers off their latest, shiniest offerings at the Los Angeles Auto Show, a dark gray sedan circled the convention center, almost silently. Riding on 21-inch wheels, the Lucid Air cuts a muscular stance, its door handles flush with the body of the car, one thin bar of light bars stretching across its front, another along the slightly boxy rear. Fully electric, it offers a tempting vision of the future. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The rain is drenching Darryl "Curtains" Jackson. It's coming down in sheets from a machine overhead that's been programmed to dump water droplets at the rate of 3.25 inches an hour. "This is a nice, steady rain," he says, as drops fall from the ceiling and drain into the grated floor below. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Academics and researchers in relationships often face what is known as “the two-body problem,” in which they struggle to find positions for both people at either the same institution, or institutions that are close to each other. I also have a two-body problem, except neither of the bodies is mine. The bodies belong to my toddler and my infant, and the options for transporting both at the same time, as well as all of their ever-multiplying stuff, are limited. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For British photographer Tom St. George, diving is escape. But when he plunged into this underwater cave in Tulum, Mexico last month, he found himself on another planet entirely. Runoff stained with tannins from the forest had dyed the normally clear water a surreal, Martian shade of red. "It really did feel like being in outer space," he says The cave he visited is the Aktun Ha cenote, a submerged sinkhole people also call the "carwash" because taxi drivers once scrubbed their cabs there. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Nothing will make you hate humans—capricious, volatile, unplanned, erratic humans—like sitting in the back of self-driving car. When I hitched a ride in one, a white and orange General Motors Cruise autonomous vehicle during a press event in San Francisco on Tuesday, every movement was a cause for alarm. Two walkers darted out in front of the car during my roughly 20-minute, 3-mile ride, blissfully ignorant that they were trusting their lives to a piece of software. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It's been years since I gave a second thought to my web browser. Safari's fine, Microsoft Edge is whatever, I think Opera still exists? None have ever offered much reason to switch away from Chrome, Google's fast, simple web tool. I'm not the only one who feels this way, either: Chrome commands nearly 60 percent of the browser market, and is more than four times as popular as the second-place finisher, Firefox. Chrome won the browser wars. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Let's start this story at the end: You can't kill email. Attempting to do so is a decades-long tradition of the tech industry, a cliché right up there with "Uber, but for" and "The Netflix of X." AOL Instant Messenger tried to kill email. So did MySpace. Then Facebook took up the mantle, followed by Slack and Symphony and WhatsApp and HipChat. Through it all, email persists—always dying, never dead. Except email isn't dying. There are 3. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices