Rhett Jones, Author at Gizmodo

Brave

After a week of silence, Dell CEO Michael Dell has finally addressed the violence in Charlottesville. As CEOs fled Trump’s toxic Manufacturing Council and denounced the president’s racist responses, Dell pledged to stand by the president. Now, the council has been dissolved and at 6 PM on a Friday, Dell has some inspiring words. https://gizmodo.com/the-dude-youre-getting-a-dell-guy-condemns-trumps-excus-1797904043…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 18

Assange Turned Down Dirt on Russia, Strongly Suggesting Ties to Being an Asshole

According to a newly released Foreign Policy report, leaked communications show Wikileaks declined to release a cache of hacked Russian documents in the summer of 2016, dismissing the only partially published records as “already public.” While there will be plenty of talk about this being proof of founder Julian Assange’s loyalties to Russia, it most prominently…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 17

EpiPen Maker to Finally Pay $465 Million for Ripping Off Taxpayers

EpiPen manufacturer Mylan has been involved in a contentious legal case over its overcharging of the US government. On Thursday, the Department of Justice finalized its settlement with Mylan, which will pay $465 million in penalties. But many believe that’s not enough. https://gizmodo.com/senator-epipen-manufacturer-ripped-off-the-us-governme-1795711207 According to Reuters, Mylan admitted no wrongdoing by agreeing to the settlement:…

Health Rhett Jones Aug 17

Tim Cook Calls Out Trump in Internal Statement on Charlottesville

In the wake of Donald Trump’s refusal to simply condemn the actions of white supremacists at a neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, business leaders, politicians, pundits, and many more have issued statements making it clear that racism can not be tolerated. But not everyone has called out the man who is emboldening white supremacists with his…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 17

The ‘Dude You’re Getting a Dell’ Guy Condemns Trump’s Excuses for Nazis

Ben Curtis, aka the “Dude, you’re getting a Dell” guy, served as Dell Computer’s pitchman for years and remains one of the most iconic symbols of the company. On Tuesday, Dell CEO Michael Dell insisted on remaining part of a (now-dissolved) presidential council while many others resigned in protest following Trump’s vigorous defense of a…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 16

Maybe Apple’s One Billion Dollar Original Content Push Will Actually Be Good

So far, Apple’s original video content has been the least Apple-style product that Apple has produced in modern times. The few shows that the company has produced have committed a sin that’s even worse than being bad—they’re lame. Well, the company announced today that it’s digging into its bottomless coffers and actually making a major…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 16

MoviePass’ New Unlimited Movies in Theaters Deal Sounds Amazing—But There’s a Catch

What is the sweet spot for getting people to join a movie theater ticket subscription service? For six years, MoviePass has struggled to answer that question and now, under former Netflix exec Mitch Lowe, it’s introducing a radical plan: Selling customers’ data and charging $10 a month for all the silver screen action you can…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 15

Smart Locks Used by Airbnb Get Bricked by Software Update

There are many reasons not to buy a smart lock, but high on the list is the risk of getting remotely locked out of your shit. For hundreds of customers using Lockstate’s smart locks, that potentiality became a reality last week—with some Airbnb users getting screwed the hardest. https://gizmodo.com/are-smart-locks-secure-or-just-dumb-511093690 Lockstate CEO Nolan Mondrow wrote a…

Privacy & Security Rhett Jones Aug 14

Microsoft Exec Insists Surface Products Don’t Suck in Leaked Memo

Microsoft is in full-on damage control mode after Consumer Reports removed its recommendation of Surface laptop and tablet products last week. According to a purportedly leaked internal memo, the company acknowledges the issues that its Surface products have had, but executives say the main criticisms have been resolved. https://gizmodo.com/this-is-the-best-surface-ever-made-but-its-still-no-la-1796081934 Published on August 10th, the Consumer…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 14

A Copyright Claim Was Reportedly Used to Stop Ad Blocking, But It’s Complicated

A certain portion of the internet is freaking out over a change to an important list used by ad blockers that facilitates their function. Popular coding repository GitHub received a DMCA request (the same tool copyright holders use to remove links to pirated music and movies online) to remove a domain name from the ad…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 12

Man Charged With Killing Missing Journalist After Crowdfunded Sub Sinks [Updated]

On Friday, the UC3 Nautilus, a famous DIY submarine, sank off the coast of Denmark. Its owner, Peter Madsen, was later rescued and claimed he’d had technical difficulties. Copenhagen police now say that they’ve charged Madsen with killing a Swedish woman who was last seen with him on board the submarine. When the UC3 Nautilus…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 11

Investor Lawsuit Seeks to Remove Travis Kalanick From Uber Entirely

Hot on the heels of reports that Uber-founder Travis Kalanick has been trying to sabotage the search for his replacement as CEO of the company, board member Benchmark Capital is suing him and Uber for fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty. According to the suit, the investment firm wants Kalanick removed from…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 10

What the Hell Is a ‘Covert Sonic Device’ and Why Is It Deafening Diplomats in Cuba?

Russia is a boogeyman once again, and the threat of nuclear war looms in the background of our daily lives, but it wouldn’t be a real reboot of the Cold War unless the US was having problems with Cuba. On Wednesday, officials confirmed that two Cuban diplomats were expelled from the US embassy following an…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 10

NASA Cartographer Helpfully Shows Where to Find ‘Sunsquatch’ During the Solar Eclipse

For the past couple weeks, government agencies have been warning citizens about potential traffic issues and the need for protective eyewear during the upcoming solar eclipse. But what if you want to be able to enjoy this rare phenomenon without being bothered by a Sasquatch? Or what if you’d like to hang with Bigfoot while…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 10

FaceApp Launches Digital Blackface Options Because the World Is Filled With Idiots [Updated]

This really isn’t that hard, people. Just last year, Snapchat apologized for adding an offensive Bob Marley selfie filter to its stable. Now, FaceApp—the silly photo editor you probably downloaded in March and totally forgot about—has outdone Snapchat by throwing in options for people to virtually switch between multiple races. No. Don’t do this. https://gizmodo.com/snapchat-s-offensive-bob-marley-filter-gives-you-inst-1772008981…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 9

The Wayback Machine Was Quietly Blocked in India

On Tuesday evening, citizens of India were appalled to find that the Internet Archive had been blocked by a growing number of local ISPs. Instead of finding the Wayback Machine, users saw a message that is routinely used when the government restricts access to an online organization. https://gizmodo.com/emulate-the-golden-age-of-the-macintosh-thanks-to-the-i-1794367274 First reported by Indian outlet Medianama, the…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 9

President Trump Moves Doomsday Clock to Half Past ‘Oh My God’

After The Washington Post reported that North Korea is believed to have successfully miniaturized a nuclear weapon to fit inside its functioning missiles, President Trump addressed the news while speaking to reporters Tuesday afternoon. There was absolutely nothing reassuring about his comments. “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States,” said Trump. “They…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 8

Voice Recognition Software Flunks Irish Visa Applicant’s English Proficiency Test

Australia uses five different tests to evaluate potential immigrants’ mastery of English, but only one of those tests uses computer-assisted voice recognition. Louise Kennedy, a native English speaker from Ireland, was unfortunate enough to receive the automated test when she was applying for residency in Australia. She failed. https://gizmodo.com/experts-worry-as-germany-tests-voice-recognition-softwa-1793424680 According to The Guardian, Kennedy has…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 8

USDA Administrators Advise Staff to Avoid ‘Climate Change’ and Other Accurate Terms

According to emails obtained by The Guardian, staff at the USDA have been informed that they should change their language when referring to climate change. Specifically, the staff at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) were told to avoid using the phrase “climate change,” and were instructed to alter various phrases that acknowledge the effects…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 7

The Most Realistic Robo-Lincoln Yet Proves the Future Is Going to Be Weird as Hell

Honest Abe is lying about being human. The people who handle Walt Disney World’s Animatronics have built an all new, slightly frightening Lincoln that makes the perfect facial expressions for reacting to the upcoming talking Trump in the Hall of Presidents. https://gizmodo.com/disney-says-president-trump-will-speak-at-the-hall-of-p-1796412771 Garner Holt Productions [GHP] has built thousands of animatronic figures for theme parks…

Tech News Rhett Jones Aug 7

Rhett Jones

Brave

Assange Turned Down Dirt on Russia, Strongly Suggesting Ties to Being an Asshole

EpiPen Maker to Finally Pay $465 Million for Ripping Off Taxpayers

Tim Cook Calls Out Trump in Internal Statement on Charlottesville

The ‘Dude You’re Getting a Dell’ Guy Condemns Trump’s Excuses for Nazis

Maybe Apple’s One Billion Dollar Original Content Push Will Actually Be Good

MoviePass’ New Unlimited Movies in Theaters Deal Sounds Amazing—But There’s a Catch

Smart Locks Used by Airbnb Get Bricked by Software Update

Microsoft Exec Insists Surface Products Don’t Suck in Leaked Memo

A Copyright Claim Was Reportedly Used to Stop Ad Blocking, But It’s Complicated

Man Charged With Killing Missing Journalist After Crowdfunded Sub Sinks [Updated]

Investor Lawsuit Seeks to Remove Travis Kalanick From Uber Entirely

What the Hell Is a ‘Covert Sonic Device’ and Why Is It Deafening Diplomats in Cuba?

NASA Cartographer Helpfully Shows Where to Find ‘Sunsquatch’ During the Solar Eclipse

FaceApp Launches Digital Blackface Options Because the World Is Filled With Idiots [Updated]

The Wayback Machine Was Quietly Blocked in India

President Trump Moves Doomsday Clock to Half Past ‘Oh My God’

Voice Recognition Software Flunks Irish Visa Applicant’s English Proficiency Test

USDA Administrators Advise Staff to Avoid ‘Climate Change’ and Other Accurate Terms

The Most Realistic Robo-Lincoln Yet Proves the Future Is Going to Be Weird as Hell

The Trump Administration Wants Gamers to Step Up and Fill the Air Traffic Controller Shortage

Watch a Comet Get Torn Apart by the Sun and Become a Headless Ghost

20-Year-Old Man Arrested for Allegedly Throwing Molotov Cocktail at Sam Altman’s Home

‘Tales From the Crypt’ Is Creeping Onto Streaming for the Very First Time

Artemis 2 Day 10: Follow the Mission With Our Live Updates 🔴

Scientists Used Medieval Poems and Trees to Uncover a 13th-Century Solar Surge

INIU 20,000mAh Power Bank Gets Another Price Cut, Making Fast Charging for iPhone and Galaxy Even More Affordable

YouTube Premium Jacks Up Prices for the First Time in Years

‘For All Mankind’ Just Had Its Biggest Moment Yet

Artemis 2 Is Coming in Hot Today—Here Are the 4 Critical Phases to Watch

Asus Zenbook A16 Review: Start Considering Snapdragon on PC, for Real

Aqara Thermostat Hub W200 Review: Almost Better than My Ecobee

HP Omen Max 45L Review: 4K60 Gaming Has Never Been So Easy

Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni Review: Window Cleaning Robots Have a Long Way to Go

AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Which ANC Headphones Win?

The Best Gadgets of March 2026

AirPods Max 2 Review: Still Ridiculously Expensive and Ridiculously Nice

DJI Osmo 360 Review: The Best 360 Camera for the DJI-Pilled

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws