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
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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
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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
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Matt Kamen
Chipotle Is Working With Palantir to Track Food Safety Risks
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Kate Taylor
The iPhone 18 Pro Is for the Shutterbugs
Fun camera features help make these candy bar iPhones stand out from the dazzle of the folding iPhone Duo.
Julian Chokkattu
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Julian Chokkattu
Introducing the WIRED App
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WIRED Staff
Hackers Got Inside a Flock Camera. Its Data Shows How the System Really Works
A hacker collective pulled down a Flock camera and dumped its data. The files included thousands of videos and logs showing that the device captured 1.6 million images of 50,000 vehicles in 21 days.
Dhruv Mehrotra
The EU Plans to Ban Social Media For Under-13s
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Isabella Ward
I Made Robot Vacuums Clean Up Cherry Juice and Cheerios. These Won
My hands-on tests reveal which models can scrub stains, reach difficult corners, and navigate a chaotic home.
Nena Farrell
Self-Driving Cars Might Change Crash Testing Forever
Lie down in a car, and you’re more likely to get seriously hurt in a crash. But a driverless future is forcing governments to revisit long-standing safety issues.
Aarian Marshall
Boox Just Announced the Palma 3 E-Reader
The e-paper device maker also launched two new color digital notebooks last night, the Note Air6 C and Mini C.
Nena Farrell
China Isn’t Buying Silicon Valley’s Call for an AI Slowdown
The US and China agree that advanced AI poses serious risks. But Beijing is deeply skeptical of a deal that prioritizes keeping US companies ahead.
Louise Matsakis
Why It Seems Like Great White Sharks Are Overrunning Maine
While a bunch of sharks cruising the Maine coast may seem ominous, it’s actually a sign of a conservation success story.
Molly Taft