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Will Nicol

Will Nicol

Former Senior Writer
Author/Co-Author of 471 articles

Will Nicol is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends. He covers a variety of subjects, particularly emerging technologies, movies and TV, and more. He has keen interest in technologies that can transform society, and also has hot takes about Game of Thrones. When not working, Will enjoys practicing guitar, learning Spanish, and spending too much money building Magic: The Gathering decks.

Person using laptop with security graphics in front.

What is a VPN? Here’s what they do and why you need one

Virtual private networks are a great way to protect your privacy online, but how do they work? Here is our guide to the essentials.
chinas artificial islands news fiery cross reef 2015

Showdown in the South China Sea: China’s artificial islands explained

For the last few years, China has been building a string of artificial islands. How do they make these, and why are they making them?
neuralink progress update 2020

Elon Musk says Neuralink will be like a ‘Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires’

At a live demonstration streamed on Friday, Elon Musk and the Neuralink team showed off the latest version of the device, and talked about the future.
Contact Tracing app illustration

Can the next generation of contact-tracing apps avoid past mistakes?

Contact -racing apps have had middling success so far, but a nonprofit called the PathCheck Foundation hopes to change that.
Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is Biden’s VP selection, and that may be good news for Big Tech

Joe Biden has chosen Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate in the 2020 presidential election. That might be good news for the tech industry.
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What is the EARN IT Act? The bill that has privacy advocates worried, explained

The EARN IT Act is making its way through the Senate, and privacy advocates are worried. What exactly does it do, and what do critics say? Read our explainer.
Contact Tracing app illustration

Contact-tracing apps have been a disaster, but could they still save us?

Contact-tracing apps were touted as tech's solution to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the hype, many have been ineffective or outright disastrous.
Dark Sky

Dark Sky for Android users is going away today

The popular weather forecast app Dark Sky is officially leaving Android on July 1. Subscribers will get a refund, but will have to find some other app to get their forecasts.
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Democratic lawmakers propose nationwide facial recognition ban

Democrats in Congress proposed a law on Thursday that would ban federal investment in facial recognition technology as well as other types of surveillance.
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Facebook takes down Trump campaign ads for using Nazi symbol

Trump campaign ads on Facebook reportedly used a Nazi symbol. Facebook ended up removing the ads featuring the inverted red triangle for violating its policies.
Ratchet and Clank

PS5 Future of Gaming event: Live news and announcements

Sony is unveiling the first games for its upcoming PS5 console in an online event called the Future of Gaming. Check out our live blog for all the latest news.
Illustration of Coronavirus

Will warm weather stop the coronavirus, or is it here to stay?

Some people have expressed optimism that the pandemic will subside in the summer. Is there any evidence for that, or just wishful thinking?
Digital Trends on Nintendo Switch

Nintendo ramps up production so you can finally buy a Switch

According to a report published in the Nikkei Asian Review, Nintendo is amping up its production of the Nintendo Switch by 10% or so.
mark zuckerberg speaking in front of giant digital lock

Facebook cancels all large, in-person events through June 2021

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said that the company will cancel all of its large events through June 2021 in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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Should you sanitize your mail and packages during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Proper cleaning is important to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus from surfaces in your house, but what should you do with your mail and packages?

NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, launches for Comcast subscribers

NBC's new streaming service, Peacock, is doing a miniature launch on Wednesday, April 15, for Comcast subscribers, with a wider launch scheduled for July 15.
Researcher holding UV lamp

Should you buy a UV sanitizing wand?

UV sanitizing wands are a popular item on the internet in the time of COVID-19. We talked to an expert to find out if they are really effective or even safe.
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A tiger caught coronavirus. Are house pets vulnerable too?

After a tiger in the Bronx Zoo tested positive for coronavirus, pet owners may be wondering if their animals are at risk. Here's what available evidence indicates.
France Toughens Coronavirus Lockdown As Death Toll Rises

Can chloroquine cure coronavirus? Here’s what science says

In response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the FDA OK'd adding chloroquine to the Strategic Nation Stockpile, but will the drug actually do anything?
covid-19 rumors

Coronavirus conspiracy theories and myths debunked

With COVID-19 now gripping the world, it's no surprise that conspiracy theories and misinformation are spreading. Here are the facts on six of those rumors.
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UV light is nature’s disinfectant, but can it kill coronavirus?

UV light is commonly used to disinfect surfaces and kill bacteria -- but can it work against the coronavirus? Here's everything we know about its effectiveness.
USC indicated it would conduct lectures and seminars online rather than in classrooms

Coronavirus vaccines are in the works, but they aren’t coming soon

As many people keep themselves at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19, vaccines are already in the works. Unfortunately, they won't be here anytime soon.
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How often should you clean your gadgets? Probably more than you do

The COVID-19 outbreak has made people much more conscious about washing their hands properly, but are they giving enough attention to the things they touch?
Dr Deborah Birx at Trump's press conference

Trump said Google is making a website to help coronavirus testing. It’s not

President Donald Trump announced Friday that Google will develop a website that will help streamline testing for COVID-19. Google was surprised by the news.
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President Trump suspended travel from Europe. What does it mean for tech?

President Donald Trump announced a 30-day suspension of travel from Europe. Here's how it impacts tech.
Utah Jazz Player Rudy Gobert

NBA suspends season after Utah Jazz player diagnosed with coronavirus

The National Basketball Association opted to suspend its season after a player for the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus.
Man in Wuhan wearing a mask amid coronavirus outbreak

‘The worst I’ve ever seen’: Coronavirus is obliterating the tech supply chain

Coronavirus, has slammed China's electronics manufacturing, and experts warn that there is no easy fix, shortages might be coming.
mwc canceled

Mobile World Congress is officially canceled due to Coronavirus concerns

Due to growing concerns about the coronavirus outbreak, the organization running the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona has officially canceled it.
A classic Reuben sandwich

Fake meat comes to a hallowed industry: New York’s Jewish delis

Fake meat is all over America's big food chains, appearing in grocery stores, burger joints, even KFC outlets. Now, the fake meat revolution has come to an iconic, traditional sphere: New York's Jewish delis. The decades old Sarge's Deli is serving a plant-based corned beef sandwich, and we're eager to try it.
Coronavirus airplane

Coronavirus misinformation spreads quickly. Here’s how to spot it

Viruses spread quickly, but so too does misinformation. That's been the case in the wake of the novel coronavirus in China. As the number of cases increases, people online are growing more alarmed -- and spreading fake news. Here's how to spot misinformation about the coronavirus.
Coronavirus airplane

CDC expands coronavirus screenings. What should travelers expect?

The coronavirus outbreak in China is growing, and with five reported cases in the U.S., the CDC is expanding screenings for infection to 20 ports of entry into the U.S. Travelers from China can expect non-contact thermometers scanning their temperature, among other things.
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Online dashboard tracks the spread of coronavirus cases globally

An online dashboard is aiming to offer accurate information on coronavirus infections globally. It is updated by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
Taika Waititi

Taika Waititi can’t save Star Wars unless Lucasfilm gets out of his way

According to reports, director Taika Waititi is in talks to helm an upcoming Star Wars movie. Waititi has built a great body of work over the last decade, and he could bring some much-needed creativity to a franchise in desperate need of a new look … if the studio let’s him do his thing.
LG Booth CES 2020

The best booths at CES 2020

CES is the one of the most impressive tech conventions in the world, but the gadgets aren't the only things that will catch your eye. Companies go all out building elaborate, striking booths to show off their products, and this year had some stunning ones. Here are the best booths we saw at CES 2020.

The weirdest tech we saw at CES 2020

CES isn't just about big TVs, flashy cars, and powerful laptops. Delve into the labyrinth of booths on the show floor in Vegas, and you'll find some truly wild inventions. From toilet-paper robots to the Keurig of olive oils, these are the weirdest things we saw at CES 2020.
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I tasted Impossible Pork and it’s even more meat-like than Impossible Burger 2.0

Impossible Foods, the minds behind the Impossible Burger, showed off their latest product, Impossible Pork, at CES 2020, and we got a chance to try it. Although it's plant-based and contains no pig whatsoever, Impossible Pork is designed to look, taste, and feel like real ground pork. Here's what we thought.
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Where are they now? A look back at our past Top Tech of CES winners

For years, the tech sages of Digital Trends has been crowning the most impressive products at CES. How well have our picks held up? With CES 2020 on the horizon, it feels like a good time to look back at our favorite tech from years past, and ponder just how important they really proved to be.
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Digital Trends Live: Amazon robots, Huawei OS, and more

On this episode of Digital Trends Live, hosts Greg Nibler and Ryan Waniata journeyed through the wild lands of tech news to catch the biggest scoops. On the docket today: Amazon delivery robots are on the loose, Huawei revealed its new OS, and more.