Jun 24, 1999 12:00 PM

Rio Sings Toll-Free Calling Tune

The Rio MP3 playback device can play more than digital music. Hackers are circulating instructions for making it emulate the sound of quarters entering old pay phones.

Add free phone calls to the Rio Internet music player's list of undocumented features. Availability may vary.

Hackers are circulating instructions on turning the Diamond Multimedia MP3 player into a device for making free phone calls.

The trick, which has also been used by PalmPilot owners, marries an old technique to a digital-era device.

Read Wired News' ongoing MP3 coverage

The Dumbest Hack of the Year Exposed a Very Real Problem

Last April, a hacker hijacked crosswalk announcements to mimic Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Records obtained by WIRED reveal how unprepared local authorities were.

Paresh Dave

AI Agents Are Coming for Your Dating Life

The developers of Pixel Societies are using AI agents to simulate social interactions. It's an attempt optimize the process of choosing new colleagues, friends, and even romantic partners.

Joel Khalili

A Lot of Shops Won't Fix Electric Bikes. Here's Why

Bike shop mechanics have lost fingers and their shirts while repairing ebikes of dubious origins. Make sure yours is repairable and third-party certified.

Stephanie Pearson

The Audacity Is the Broligarchy Takedown You Were Waiting For

AMC’s new black comedy about a manchild tech titan spinning out of control is a skewering Silicon Valley’s billionaire class deserves.

Miles Klee

It’s a Tablet! It’s a Laptop! After Testing the Best 2-in-1s, Here’s What I Recommend

Whether you want a detachable tablet or a laptop screen that spins, these 2-in-1 devices manage to balance being both a tablet and a laptop.

Luke Larsen

There’s a Secret Ingredient to Making Luxury Ice at Home

Nice ice is big business, but you can get perfectly clear cubes at home without freezing your assets.

Jeremy White

The Screenmaxxers Who Spend Every Waking Hour on Their Phones

As debates over social media addiction rage, people with extreme screen times tell WIRED they have no plans to cut back.

Miles Klee

The Best Coffee Mug Warmers Are Smart. But They Don’t Need an App

The first rule of coffee is that it must stay hot. After weeks or even years of testing, these are the three coffee warmers that will best keep it that way.

Matthew Korfhage

Crimson Desert Is a Cat Dad Simulator

Step into the shoes of the strongest, goodest boy in a game that is beautiful, baffling, and impossible to put down.

I Tested the MacBook Neo and the MacBook Air. Here's Which One You Should Buy

After conducting long-term testing on both the MacBook Neo and MacBook Air, I have a good idea who should buy which laptop.

Luke Larsen

The Best Electric Cargo Bikes for Carrying This and That Everywhere

You don't need a car to tote around kids and cup holders. I rode cargo ebikes for miles to find the best one for your buck.

Adrienne So

Your Push Notifications Aren’t Safe From the FBI

Plus: Iran’s internet blackout hits the 1,000-hour mark, cryptocurrency scams result in a record amount of money stolen from Americans, and more.

Matt Burgess