Gallery: The Gadgets and Gear We Couldn't Get Enough of This Month
Christie Hemm Klok/WIRED01GG3A7858-V2
My father had a thing for pens. He was forever trying new ones, from cheap ballpoints to obscenely expensive fountain pens. It seemed he was on a quest to find The Perfect Pen. I often teased him about it as a kid, and he'd tell me, in that way only fathers can, about having the best tool for the job. It wasn't until I became a journalist, for whom pens are essential, that I understood. The [Muji Aluminum Round Fountain Pen](http://www.muji.us/store/aluminum-round-fountain-pen.html) is damn near perfect. Just the right heft, glass-smooth writing, and stylish. And it's only $15.50.—Chuck Squatriglia
Christie Hemm Klok/WIRED02GG3A8064-V2
Meet the perfect synthesis of Legos and hot jamz. The [Aiaiai TMA-2 modular headphones](http://www.aiaiai.dk/headphones/tma-2) let you roll you own perfect combo of drivers, earcups, headband, and cord styles—a total of 360 possible combinations ranging from $145 to $250. Each component comes in its own sealed bag so you can pop them all together, producing a pair of cans to truly call your own. They look, feel, and sound fantastic.—Tim Moynihan
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This [Osprey Atmos AG 65](http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/mens/atmos_ag_65) ($260) is the most comfortable trekking backpack I've ever worn. The reason? It uses a new suspension system that ditches traditional plastic and foam for mesh webbing. The webbing, which stretches from your shoulder blades to the hip belt, is more pliable and immediately conforms to the shape of your body. The design drastically improves load carry, venting, and overall comfort.—Jakob Schiller
Christie Hemm Klok/WIRED04GG3A7889
I gave up on huge guitar amps ages ago. Sure, a Marshall stack is pretty dope, but then you have to lift it into the van. This little [Lunchbox](http://www.ztamplifiers.com/products/lunchbox.html) ($300) from Bay Area shop ZT is the box I grab for small gigs and jam sessions. Only ten pounds and as small as your childhood *Spider-Man* lunch box, the ZT doesn't have the warm tone of a vintage tube combo, but it peaks at 120dB—enough bark to stand out in a room full of noodlers. And come on, your guitar is probably heavier than this thing!—Michael Calore
Christie Hemm Klok/WIRED05GG3A8086-V2
My hobby of choice, cycling, involves thrashing my legs at intensities and durations that make no sense; getting on a bike still feeling destroyed from the day before was something I just accepted. Then [Marc Pro](http://www.marcpro.com)'s electric muscle stimulation device came along and changed everything. At $650, it's not your average e-stim—it forgoes voltage and frequency to contract your tired muscles with a much longer pulse duration (20-40 times longer than traditional e-stims). I still thrash my legs, they just feel a whole lot fresher the next day.—Peter Rubin
Christie Hemm Klok/WIRED06GG3A7841-crop-V2
I couldn't find the perfect bike for zipping around the city, so with the help of Ibis, Shimano, and Easton, I crafted my own. The $1,450 carbon [Hakkalugi](http://www.ibiscycles.com/bikes/hakkalugi_disc/) frame (say it out loud for the joke) is built for cyclocross racing, so it's strong, stiff, and speedy. The electronic shifting is quick and precise, and the disc brakes keep everything under control. With a bike this fun, I keep looking for errands to run at lunch time.—Mark McClusky
Christie Hemm Klok/WIRED07GG3A7956-V2
Mophie has done the dead-obvious thing and paired its excellent portable battery pack with a flash storage chip. So not only can the [Spacestation](http://www.mophie.com/shop/spacestation) charge up your phone, you can use it store every *Adventure Time* episode as well. To watch a movie or access your files, just fire up Mophie's Space app. The 6,000mHa battery pack comes with 32GB ($150), 64GB ($200), or 128GB ($300) on board.—Michael Calore
Christie Hemm Klok/WIRED08GG3A7899
The perfect compliment to a keyboard and mouse is this [all-purpose knob](http://griffintechnology.com/powermate-bluetooth) from Griffin. The PowerMate first showed up as a USB-tethered Apple accessory years ago—this is the Bluetooth version. You can program it to do anything: scroll Safari, switch desktops, scrub a video timeline. I have it set to adjust my Mac's master volume, because there's no more satisfying feeling than twisting a heavy, polished-metal knob when Van Halen's "Panama" kicks in.—Michael Calore
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Packing efficiently when camping is important. This [collapsible shot glass](http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ea6e/) ($8) will let you tipple your sippable in the big wide yonder without burdening you a bit. Climbed that mountain? Have a drink. Did a sweet jump into the gorge? Have a sip. Lit a fire with your own bare hands? Look at you! Time to celebrate.—Michael Calore
Christie Hemm Klok/WIRED10GG3A7987-V2
I love traveling with my iPad and taking it on my daily commute, but I often worry that it'll take too much of a beating. This [Gladius Air case](http://www.newtrent.com/gladius-air-nt611gr.html) ($45) from NewTrent is hefty enough to protect my iPad from knocks and minor tumbles, but it's light enough that I can carry it everywhere and barely notice the bulk. I also love the leather hand strap and the flip-out stand on the back.—Megan Logan
US Special Forces Soldier Arrested for Polymarket Bets on Maduro Raid
The master sergeant allegedly used classified intel to profit on the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, marking the first US arrest for insider trading on a prediction market.
Kate Knibbs
Newly Deciphered Sabotage Malware May Have Targeted Iran’s Nuclear Program—and Predates Stuxnet
Researchers have finally cracked Fast16, mysterious code capable of silently tampering with calculation and simulation software. It was created in 2005—and likely deployed by the US or an ally.
Andy Greenberg
Rednote Draws a Line Between China and the World
As the platform expands abroad, it’s taking steps to separate Chinese users from the international audiences it once brought together.
Zeyi Yang
Apple’s Next Chapter, SpaceX and Cursor Strike a Deal, and Palantir’s Controversial Manifesto
In this week’s episode of Uncanny Valley, we talk about Tim Cook’s legacy as CEO at Apple and what his long-rumored departure means for the future of one of the world's biggest companies.
Brian Barrett
At 'AI Coachella,' Stanford Students Line Up to Learn From Silicon Valley Royalty
CS 153 has gone viral on the Palo Alto campus—and on X. Not everyone is happy about it.
Maxwell Zeff
Palantir Employees Are Starting to Wonder if They're the Bad Guys
Interviews with current and former Palantir employees, along with internal Slack messages obtained by WIRED, suggest a workforce in turmoil.
Makena Kelly
This Is the Only Office Lamp That Does Double Duty on My Nightstand
Portable lamps are rarely, if ever, as powerful, precise, and multipurpose as the Lume Cube Edge Light Go.
Matthew Korfhage
These New Smart Glasses From Ex-OnePlus Engineers Have a Hidden Cost
The Kickstarter-funded glasses from L'Atitude 52°N have AI features bundled for one year, but the company doesn't know yet how much it will charge for access after that.
Boone Ashworth
The Best Pool-Cleaning Robots for a Truly Automated Summer
Send the pool guy packing. One of these robotic buddies can maintain your water quality instead.
Christopher Null
The Best Fitbit Models for Every Lifestyle
The fitness trackers I'd recommend to beginners, athletes, and kids.
Boutayna Chokrane
Robot Vacuums That Don't Suck (Unless It's Dirt)
Tired of vacuuming? Hand the reins to a robot vacuum.
Nena Farrell
They Made D4vd a Star. Now They Want Him Convicted of Murder
A legion of young fans propelled the singer D4vd to viral fame. Now that he’s been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, they say the clues were in their Discord all along.
Jennifer Swann