Smartphones are a new tax on the poor

PLUS: 52 Last-Minute Christmas Gifts on Sale Now, and more

View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions 12.16.21   DEALS | 12-MINUTE READ 52 Last-Minute Christmas Gifts on Sale Now BY ERIC RAVENSCRAFT You can blame the supply chain for late packages, but there's still time to get some in before New Years.   LIGHTER THAN AIR | 16-MINUTE READ The Race to Find 'Green' Helium BY WILLIAM RALSTON Helium is a critical—and finite—resource. The future of our most indispensable technologies depends on a new supply.   INTERACTIVE QUIZ Looking for New Headphones or Earbuds? Take Our Quiz BY PARKER HALL We've tested dozens of over-ear headphones and earbuds. Here's how to find your perfect, WIRED-approved pair.   IDEAS | 4-MINUTE READ Smartphones Are a New Tax on the Poor BY JULIA TICONA The expectation of connectivity now extends to low-wage workers—and the consequences go far beyond gig economy jobs. GET WIRED HOLIDAY SALE! Get WIRED for just $10 $5. Get the print edition and exclusive subscriber-only stories. Give yourself the gift of information. Subscribe now.   YEAR IN REVIEW | 4-MINUTE READ The Best Games of 2021 Were an Explosion of Color and Charisma BY LEWIS GORDON As the pandemic continued, these exuberant titles looked beyond the long dark night.   GIFT GUIDE | 9-MINUTE READ 19 Gift Ideas for People Working From Home BY LOURYN STRAMPE Upgrade your loved one's home office with these picks that make every day a little easier—and a little more fun.   DO YOU EVEN LIFT | 3-MINUTE READ See Little Robots Get Swole in This Virtual 'Gym' BY MATT SIMON The bizarre robots look like cobbled-together Tetris pieces. A new system "evolves" them to run, climb, and throw stuff better.   DIGITAL CULTURE | 4-MINUTE READ LaTurbo Avedon Is Way Ahead of the Metaverse BY KATE KNIBBS The artist, who only exists online, was working in digital spaces long before anyone talked about NFTs.     Have questions or comments? Reply to this email.   This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or Manage your newsletter subscriptions   Copyright © Condé Nast 2021. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.