Gallery: All the Gear, Gadgets, and Goods We Loved This Month
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED01thingswelove-1
The best Bluetooth speaker we've tested over the past few years is the Ultimate Ears Boom. This month, UE released the [Boom 2](http://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/ueboom2) with a new, fully-waterproof design. You can shower with it or throw it in the ocean and never worry about it getting waterlogged. Everything else is the same, including the excellent battery life, killer sound, and very nice $200 price.—*Michael Calore*
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED02thingswelove-2
The [Jaybird X2s](http://www.jaybirdsport.com/X2-bluetooth-headphones/) are a rare thing in wireless Bluetooth sports headphones: they sound good, and they stay put. Each set comes with nine fit options, too. So you fit them in your ears, wrap the adjustable cord around your head, crank the Tiesto, and get a full run in long before the battery dies.—*David Pierce*
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED03thingswelove-3
The [DxO One](http://www.dxo.com/us/dxo-one) ($600) snaps into your iPhone's Lightning port and becomes the perfect compromise between lugging around a DSLR and settling for your phone's camera. Paired with its app, the DxO takes over photo duties, giving you a much more capable high-quality photo system that lets you do everything you can do with an honest-to-goodness camera. Except this one folds up and fits easily in the palm of your hand.—*Molly McHugh*
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED04thingswelove-4
Brighten up your thank-you notes with these vibrant [Princeton Architectural Press notecards](http://www.papress.com/html/book.details.page.tpl?isbn=9781616894177) designed by Sigrid Calon ($17). Calon draws inspiration from embroidery stitches and the color constraints of the [Risograph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risograph) machine. Each notecard features a perforated edge, so if you're lazy about correspondence, you can still display the cards as art.—*Blanca Myers*
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED05thingswelove-5
Unlike most action cams, the [360fly](https://360fly.com/) ($400) uses a single, skyward-facing lens to capture everything happening all around you, recording in a full 360 degrees at all times. Afterwards, you can strap on a VR viewer and watch the playback as you look all around you. You can also edit the video for non-VR playback to show just a piece of the action. We've got a full review of this camera coming in October, but it was one of the coolest pieces of gear we tested this month.—*Michael Calore*
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED06thingswelove-6
Are you still paying for firewood? You may as well just warm your home by burning money. Invest some of that scratch in this [Stihl MS 251 Wood Boss chainsaw](http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/homeowner-saws/ms251/) ($330) and start whipping up your own kindling. The design of this gas power tool is ergonomic and comfy; easily the most workable chainsaw I've ever held. It's also fairly light at 11 pounds, making it great for pruning and other light-duty tree and shrub work. Building a fire has never been this much fun.—*Michael Calore*
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED07thingswelove-7
When we covered the Apple event earlier this month, we were too busy writing news to stop and make coffee. Instead, we sucked down a few bottles of [La Colombe Pure Black](http://www.lacolombe.com/collections/pure-black/products/pure-black-12-pack) cold-pressed coffee concentrate ($36 per 12-pack). Mix it with ice and milk and it's *so good*. Each bottle has 240mg of caffeine, so approach with caution. Dose it properly and it'll keep that cool buzz going all day.—*Michael Calore*
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED08thingswelove-8
It's sweater weather right now, but crisp, puffy-jacket nights are just around the corner. I can recommend this [cold-weather jacket from Nau](http://www.nau.com/our-fabrics-recycled-down/m-blazing-recycled-down-jacket) which is stuffed with 650-fill recycled down feathers sourced from European duvets. Some Frenchman's loss is your gain. $395—*Michael Calore*
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED09thingswelove-9
Something for getting your freak on: Culture of Soul's *Brasileiro Treasure Box of Funk & Soul* contains seven 45-rpm singles of Brazilian funk and psychedelic soul from the early 1970s, which by my ears is pretty much the most bad-ass place and time for music ever. The artwork and the packaging are tops, and it's brimming with liner notes and info about all the artists. The set comes out October 23rd but you can [preorder it now](http://www.culturesofsoul.com/2015/08/16/pre-order-for-the-brasileiro-treasure-box-of-funk-and-soul/) for $50. Also check out the [sound clips](https://www.mixcloud.com/culturesofsoul/the-brasileiro-treasure-box-of-funk-and-soul-mix/).—*Michael Calore*
‘Darth Vader’ Wants You to Know He Definitely Supports Flock Surveillance
Anthony Ralphs was frustrated by the San Diego City Council's support for Flock. He decided it would take something more than reasoned argument to get their attention.
Vittoria Elliott
The Best Early Labor Day Kitchen Deals for Busy Fall Days
With school and sports starting again, these discounts on Instant Pots, cookware, and coffee gear arrive right on time.
Kat Merck
Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold Is Better, but Not the Best
A polished update to Google’s foldable brings real improvements, but the price bump and rampant competition make it a tough sell.
Simon Hill
The US Just Recorded Its First 2 Measles Deaths This Year
The fatalities come amid declining vaccination rates and calls from President Donald Trump to split up the MMR vaccine.
Emily Mullin
The Supreme Court’s Mail-In Ballot Ruling Is a Step Toward Chaos in the Midterms
The Supreme Court has removed one roadblock from the Trump administration’s attempts to impose severe restrictions on voting.
David Gilbert
Apple Refreshes the Mac Mini and Mac Studio, Both With New AI-Ready Chips
Apple’s Mac Mini and Mac Studio have been tough to buy for months, but updated versions have arrived. Both include new chips optimized for AI, with the M6 Mac Mini getting a $200 price bump.
Luke Larsen
I Tested the Best Kitchen Composters and Food Recyclers—and Yes, Some of Them Stink
After years of smells, strange noises, and “tea,” these are the composters and food recyclers I’d actually recommend.
Kat Merck
The Best Car Phone Mounts Are Magnetic. Change My Mind
The best car phone holders keep your phone firmly in place while never getting in your line of sight. I took a dozen on road trips this summer to find the best.
Matthew Korfhage
The County Prosecutors Who Became ICE Informants
Illinois prosecutors shared defendants’ personal data with federal immigration agents without criminal warrants, public disclosure, or legislative oversight.
Aura Bogado
This Projector Is a Hole-in-One as a Golf Simulator, but Subpar for Anything Else
The Optoma GT2400HDR laser projector is great for setting up a driving range in your living room, but mediocre video quality makes it less appealing for home entertainment.
John Brandon
Border Wall Construction Threatens 6,000 Years of History on Private Lands
Archeologists are confronting an “unfathomable” loss as border wall construction is set to cut across ranches that are home to unique historical sites, many of which haven’t been fully studied.
Gabrielle Saulsbery
It Should Be Harder to Apply for a Job. No, Really
Thanks to a dwindling supply of open roles, “one-click” applications, and the rise of artificial intelligence, it’s easier than ever to apply for a job. We’re all paying the price.
Kate Taylor