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
Ebay Has to Pay $55.7 Million in Settlement for Its Unhinged Harassment Campaign
For months on end, eBay employees and contractors made life hell for a couple that had criticized the company. Six years later, the company is finally paying up.
Lauren Goode
Laura Loomer’s Reversal on Ukraine Stirs Up the MAGA Civil War
Donald Trump’s base has been increasingly spilt. Laura Loomer’s sudden embrace of Ukraine has only widened that divide.
David Gilbert
Is the Electric Trike the Next Big Thing in Shared Micromobility?
Veo is launching accessibility-focused electric tricycles in Denver, with plans to put its e-trikes on the streets nationwide.
Boone Ashworth
What WIRED Writers Would Actually Give Their Moms
Your mom never gets you a thoughtless gift, so you shouldn’t get her one, either. Here’s every cool gift WIRED writers would give their mothers.
Nena Farrell
Which Apple Watch Should You Buy?
Should you splurge on the new Series 11, or will the SE 3 do? Let us help you figure out which version to get (and which to avoid).
Boutayna Chokrane
12 Adventurous Gifts for Hikers, Backpackers, and Outdoorsy People
Let them pick out their own hiking boots. Instead, try gifting a useful blade or a nature journal to delight your outdoorsy friend.
Scott Gilbertson
A Two-Person Startup Has Fixed One of the Most Hated Sounds in Modern Life
Beeeep. Beeeep. Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
Jeremy White
Can the New York Times Save Journalism From Our AI Overlords?
In 2023, the Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement. They’ve since spent more than $20 million on the case, and publisher A.G. Sulzberger has no plans to stop fighting it.
Katie Drummond
Silicon Valley’s Next IPO Billionaires Are Coming. Nonprofits Are Ready for Them
Anthropic and OpenAI employees are expected to give generously after their companies go public. “It’s going to be a wild ride,” says one nonprofit leader.
Paresh Dave
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal Can Do It All
Dyson’s new stick vacuum can vacuum and mop in a single cordless device—if you’re willing to really splurge.
Nena Farrell
‘They’re Fucking a Lot of People’: 7-OH Users Brace for DEA Ban
The opioid-like compound, which is found in kratom, can cause brutal withdrawal symptoms and will soon be a controlled substance. Some users tell WIRED it has relieved their pain and anxiety.
Manisha Krishnan
An Extreme Solar Storm May Be Even More Devastating Than Previously Imagined
Scientists have long assumed that there’s an upper limit to the intensity of the solar winds that reach Earth. New research suggests there’s not—and the implications are alarming.
Javier Carbajal