Gallery: WIRED's CES Smartphone Thunderdome: The Final Results
Ariel Zambelich/WIRED0120140106-CES-DAY1-AZ-0046-edit
4th Place: Mat Honan -------------------- __Point total: 100__ Poor Mat. Things did not go his way this year. But even after his Moto X's screen exploded in his pocket he choose [not to use an offered replacement](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/01/ces-day-3/#72591457009) and soldier on with masking tape. That's dedication folks. That's also why we awarded him [the extra 25 'Most Resourceful' points](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/01/ces-day-2/#72456127610). Alas, the ultimate death of his phone meant Mat really had no choice but to [turn to the laptop](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/01/ces-day-4/#72735704624). He put up a helluva fight. *"This is supposed to be a real-world challenge. And I'm going to challenge myself to use this crazy cracked-ass Moto X just as you'd have to if it broke on you early in your contract. It’s going to suck. But I’ll deal." --Mat Honan, CES Day 3, 2:31 AM PST* 
02-MG-5656-edit
3rd Place: Robbie Baldwin ------------------------- __Point total: 145__ Ok, Robbie went [a little](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/01/ces-day-5/#72839621060) [crazy](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/01/ces-day-5/#72819858791) at end there. He also almost killed me while Gingercasting. In between those things, however, he was [getting mad scoops](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/01/ces-day-5/#72803678806) and [taking selfies with celebs](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/01/ces-day-3/#72586848907). *"I’m very happy that I brought the Lumia 1020 along to CES. For me, it was a grand experiment to see what could be accomplished on a platform that's foreign to me. If Joe, Mike, and Bryan told me I had to use Windows Phone next year, I’d be perfectly fine with that. Hell, the keyboard is better than the iPhone and that was what really mattered most the time." --Roberto Baldwin, CES Day 6, 8:06 AM PST*
0320140107-CES-AZ-0391-edit
2nd Place: Christina Bonnington ------------------------------- __Point total: 147.75__ Being a favorite isn't easy. Sure, Christina was using a phone she was familiar with -- and one that had a demonstrably superior app selection. That also meant everyone was gunning for her. Throughout the competition, she handled the pressure (and sore thumbs) with grace and humor, producing great post after great post from all over the show floor. *"Keeping track of my iPhone’s battery life is probably the single most important thing during the day, because if my device dies, I can’t post. Luckily, I do have the iPhone, which gets good battery life. But using my phone as my sole means of computing means I'm fully recharging it at least three times a day, I’d estimate (although I try to never let it dip below 50 percent)." --Christina Bonnington, CES Day 4, 10:09 AM PST* 
0420140107-CES-AZ-0281-edit
1st Place: Tim Moynihan ----------------------- __Point total: 257.5__ Tim used a Blackberry Z30, so yeah, he was the underdog from the beginning. And there were plenty of moments we were sure he'd have to tap out of our little competition. Somehow, through a combination of sheer tenacity and robotic stamina, Tim managed to not only complete the Smartphone Thunderdome Challenge, but to win decisively. Seriously, look at that score! Tim not only won many of the bonus challenges, he took home the extra Overall Winner, Best Photography, and Most Posts points as well. Tim, you are truly a CES smartphone blogging machine. Now please get some sleep. *"I took a lot of ribbing for using a BlackBerry. It's not as fancy as the other phones in the contest, apparently. But you know what? Doesn't matter. It's still a phone that can be used to cover a large electronics tradeshow. That’s pretty amazing. Technology is pretty amazing in general these days, you know? These things fit in your pocket! And they're like laptops except better." --Tim Moynihan, CES Day 5, 2:51 PM PST*
Humans Watched This Supernova Explode Nearly a Millennium Ago. Now You Can See It in High Definition
The new image isn’t just stunning—it may also provide clues about how this star survived its own explosion.
Jorge Garay
How This Tiny Startup Built the World’s Safest Bike Helmet
Inspired by head-banging woodpeckers, Vancouver-based Pikio Labs has discovered a new approach to skull protection.
Chris Haslam
Altra Running Promo Codes and Deals October 2026
Score big savings on Altra Running shoes with up to 50% off sale styles, 20% off select models, 10% off your first order when you sign up, plus free standard delivery on every purchase.
Boutayna Chokrane
Top eBay Coupons in October 2026
Save up to 60% on a selection of items at eBay, including electronics, home products, card games, car parts and more.
Molly Higgins
Top Canon Promo Codes: 30% Off for October 2026
Save an extra 10% or 30% with Canon coupon codes, plus up to $1,600 on cameras, printers, and more this October 2026.
Gear Team
Top Home Depot Promo Codes: 30% Off in October 2026
Save up to 50% today with the latest Home Depot promo codes for appliances, power tools, and more this October.
Matthew Korfhage
Top Disney Plus Discounts and Promos for October 2026
Cut your subscription costs with the latest active Disney+ bundle deals, verified student offers, and partner promotions.
Molly Higgins
LG Promo Codes and Coupons for October 2026
Save 20% with an LG promo code today, plus up to $1,000 off appliances, 40% off bestselling TVs and monitors.
Harry Rabinowitz
Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ Becomes ‘Assisted Driving’ in Europe
The automaker has been criticized for misleading drivers with the feature’s name. Now it’s renaming it for European regulators.
Aarian Marshall
Book Publishers Are Quietly Using More AI. Staff Are Revolting
Workers at three major publishing houses tell WIRED that LLMs are being used for publicity, cover art, back cover copy, and emails, as some execs push junior staff to champion the tech.
Adam Morgan
NASA Just Made Nearly 1 TB of Artemis II Data Available to the Public
The data drop includes photographs, audio, video, and astronauts’ notes that will be used to study the moon and prepare for future human missions.
Jorge Garay
The DOJ Is Weighing Perjury Charges Against Cassidy Hutchinson
The Justice Department is considering a perjury and obstruction-of-justice case against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide who testified against Donald Trump to the January 6 committee.
Hugo Lowell