Ford's EV plan, militia's recruitment, tariff concerns, tech shifts, and Central America's plastic pollution crisis.

Ford's Answer to China: A Completely New Way of Making Cars On August 11, 2025, Wired reported that Ford is developing a new method for manufacturing electric vehicles called the “Ford Universal EV Production System.” This system involves building the front, middle, and rear of the vehicle separately and then assembling them at the end, which Ford claims is faster and cheaper than traditional methods. Ford will invest $2 billion in its Louisville assembly plant to implement this new system. The company anticipates a 40 percent reduction in production time and workstations, along with a 20 percent reduction in parts. The first vehicle using this platform, a midsize electric pickup, is slated for 2027 with a target price of $30,000. Source

Christian Militants Are Using Instagram to Recruit—and Becoming Influencers in the Process August 14, 2025, Wired reports on the emergence of Christian nationalist militias using Instagram for recruitment. These groups post edited images and videos of armed members in tactical gear, often with religious symbols. Experts have identified nearly 200 Instagram accounts related to militias, with dozens belonging to this new generation. These groups operate merch stores to fund themselves through apparel and tactical gear sales. This movement reflects the rise of Christian nationalism and appeals to fitness-obsessed young men, and this movement is also growing as traditional militia groups lose traction. These groups use Instagram like influencers, cross-promoting and strengthening networks. Source

Senators Press Howard Lutnick’s Former Investment Firm Over Tariff Conflict of Interest Concerns Wired reported on August 14, 2025, that Democratic senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren have sent a letter to Brandon Lutnick, chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald, regarding potential conflicts of interest related to tariffs. This inquiry follows reports that Cantor Fitzgerald, previously led by Howard Lutnick, was exploring financial products that would allow clients to bet on whether President Trump's tariffs would be overturned in court. The senators are concerned because Howard Lutnick, now Commerce Secretary, was a key architect of Trump's tariff policy. They are requesting information on Cantor Fitzgerald's communications with the Trump administration about tariffs and related legal cases, with a deadline for response by August 27. Source

Revel shutters rideshare business, pivots to EV charging The Verge reported on August 11, 2025, that Revel is shutting down its ridehail business due to intense competition from Uber and Lyft. The company will pivot to focus on electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Revel CEO Frank Reig stated that the rideshare market is asset-heavy and has low margins, making the pivot necessary for the EV transition. Revel, which began with electric mopeds, had expanded to an all-Tesla ridehail fleet operating mainly in New York and New Jersey. The company plans to sell its for-hire vehicle licenses and its Tesla and Kia vehicles, while continuing to open EV charging hubs in New York City and California. Source

AOL Will Shut Down Dial-Up Internet Access in September Wired reported on August 12, 2025, that AOL will shut down its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025, marking the end of an era for a technology that once connected millions to the internet. Along with the dial-up service, AOL will retire its AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser. While approximately 175,000 American households still use dial-up, mainly in rural areas with limited broadband access, the shutdown highlights the ongoing digital divide. The gap between dial-up's 0.056 megabits per second and modern fiber connections is vast, though dial-up holds a nostalgic place in internet history. Source

Lelo Sona 3 Cruise Review: Stale Update Wired reviewed the Lelo Sona 3 Cruise on August 15, 2025, stating that it is a minor update to the previous models. The Sona 3 Cruise has 16 vibration settings compared to the Sona 2 Cruise's 12. It features body-safe silicone, ABS plastic, is waterproof, and has Cruise Control for consistent intensity. The Sona 3 Cruise is app-controlled, enabling long-distance play with modes like "Out of Control" and "Finish Me Off." The reviewer notes the SmoothRise Technology for intensity transitions is subtle. Overall, it's a good option for those needing to upgrade but not revolutionary. Source

Stripe apologizes for customer service agents claiming LGTBQ products were banned The Verge reported on August 13, 2025, that Stripe has apologized for customer service agents incorrectly claiming that the company bans LGBTQ content. A Stripe spokesperson clarified that there are no prohibitions on the sale of LGBTQ+ content or goods. This statement comes after reports that Stripe customer support representatives told callers that Stripe does not permit the sale of legal, non-adult, LGBT content. Stripe's terms prohibit adult content, but the misinformation regarding LGBTQ content prompted the apology and a promise to correct future inquiries. Source

ESPN will offer a $39.99 bundle with Fox’s live sports streaming service The Verge reported on August 11, 2025, that ESPN and Fox will offer a bundle of their live sports streaming services for $39.99 per month, a savings of approximately $10. Both ESPN and Fox are launching their standalone services on August 21st, prior to the NFL season. Fox One, priced at $19.99 per month, provides access to news and sports across its linear channels. ESPN, at $29.99 per month, includes live channels and WWE event coverage. Warner Bros. Discovery is also developing its own standalone live sports streaming service. Source

Gear News of the Week: A New Privacy Phone Arrives, and Samsung Has a $30K 115-Inch Micro RGB TV Wired reported on August 16, 2025, on several gear-related news items, including the "relaunch" of the Up Phone, a privacy-focused smartphone from Unplugged. The phone runs UnpluggedOS and lacks Google Mobile Services. Concerns are raised about its privacy claims and outdated specs, including a 2021 processor and 8 GB of RAM, especially considering its $989 price. Additionally, Ultrahuman's smart ring will now track ovulation via its acquisition of viO HealthTech, using the OvuSense algorithm. Source

Here’s a look at the final Pebble Time 2 design The Verge reported on August 13, 2025, that Pebble is releasing the final design of the Pebble Time 2, a smartwatch set to ship later this year. The watch will feature a stainless steel front, back, and buttons. It includes multicolor RGB backlighting, a second microphone, screw-mounted back cover, and a compass. Additional specs are a 1.5-inch 64 color e-paper display, touch screen, standard 22mm straps, heart rate monitor, and 30-day battery life. The design is minimalist, with a sleek profile and rounded edges and will be available in four colors. Source

Best Side Sleeper Mattress 2025: Picked By a Sleep Science Coach Wired published a guide on August 12, 2025, highlighting the best mattresses for side sleepers. Side sleeping is common, with most Americans sleeping on their side at least part of the night, therefore needing mattresses that keep the back aligned while cushioning the hips and shoulders. The team spends at least a week with each mattress to monitor daily sleep and feelings. Updated in August 2025, the guide includes picks for heavy side sleepers and hybrid mattresses and links to stories on mattress certifications and cleaning. Source

Central American Beaches Are Being Overrun With Local and Foreign Plastic Wired reported on August 12, 2025, that Central American beaches are heavily polluted with plastic bottles. A macro-study across 10 countries along Latin America’s Pacific coastline found that Central American countries are most affected. Researchers collected plastic bottles to determine the abundance, origin, and characteristics of the plastic bottles, finding that the plastic affects biodiversity and ecosystems. The study revealed that more than half of the bottles and caps collected had visible dates, with the majority being less than a year old. Source

I Tried the Best At-Home Pet DNA Test Kits on My Two Cats (2025) Wired published an article on August 16, 2025, reviewing at-home pet DNA test kits, specifically for cats. Pet DNA tests involve collecting cells via a cheek swab and mailing the sample to a lab for analysis. The results depend on the size and diversity of the genetic database and are more accurate for dogs. Wisdom Panel claims over 98% accuracy for cats and 99% for dogs, while Basepaws tests oral health by testing against an oral microbiome database. The author tested two cats and found that the genetic test results can vary widely between companies. Source

An AI Model for the Brain Is Coming to the ICU Wired reported on August 11, 2025, that the Cleveland Clinic is partnering with Piramidal to develop an AI model for brain health monitoring in ICUs. This system uses EEG data to detect abnormalities like seizures or declining brain function in real-time. The AI model will interpret EEG data streams and alert doctors to potential issues more quickly than manual reviews, which can take hours. The model incorporates nearly a million hours of EEG data and adapts to individual brain patterns. Testing in a live ICU environment is planned within months, with eventual system-wide rollout. Source