The Why Axis
The most important technology stories of the moment, visualized
Latest Stories
Passkey Adoption Sees Striking Progress, With One Obvious Leader
Things really have improved, according to a new Dashlane study, and yet we’re sure that many of the sites you use all the time have yet to get the memo about passkeys.
Who's on T-Satellite? T-Mobile Dominates, But Verizon Customers Say No Thanks
Among Android phones connecting to Starlink, a third are on AT&T. Only 2.2% are on Verizon, likely because they already have free satellite texting via Skylo, Ookla finds.
Slop Central: More Than 50% of Articles Online Are Now AI-Generated
What will the future of the web look like?
Feeling Uneasy About AI? Here's How People View It Across 25 Countries
Americans are most concerned about the latest tech boom, while South Koreans are the least worried, according to a Pew Research survey.
These Days, the Typical Gamer Is an Elder Millennial: Sigh, I'm Old
A global survey from the Entertainment Software Association finds that gaming is split fairly evenly between men and women, and most of it happens on phones.
It's Not Just You: Parents Everywhere Struggle to Set Screen-Time Boundaries
A new Pew Research Center survey finds 42% of parents feel they could do better.
If You Want the Best Cell and Internet Service in 2025, Go With These Brands
Data from 'millions' of consumer tests suggests you might want to switch to this mobile carrier and fixed internet provider, according to Ookla.
A Huge Number of Teens Regularly Talk to an AI, But Don't Always Feel Good About It
Happily, the younger generation still prefers in-person friendships—for now. Big Tech companies are rapidly developing AI 'companion' tech, and adding it to new corners of the internet.
Fiber Is Fast, But 5G Home Internet Is More Appealing for One Reason
The latest report from J.D. Power has some interesting details about people's home internet preferences, including a surprisingly high level of satisfaction with DSL in some areas.
More Breakdowns Than Breakthroughs in Latest Big Tech Digital Rights Scorecard
The Ranking Digital Rights (RDR) project gives its highest marks to Microsoft and Google, but scores of 50 and 49 out of 100 aren’t much to brag about.
An Alarming Number of Gen Z AI Users Think It's Conscious
The majority of young people use AI, and they try to be polite when interacting with chatbots like ChatGPT, but some might have too much of an attachment to it, according to a new study.
Will DOGE Also Kill Tesla? Elon Gains Political Power But Alienates EV Buyers
Elon Musk's haphazard, DOGE-approved cuts have prompted an uproar online, but they're also affecting his bottom line as the Tesla faithful turn away from the brand.
Deepfake Scam Calls on the Rise in the US: How to Stay Safe
According to a study by Hiya, victims of deepfake calls in the US lost $539 on average last year.
Can AI Make You Happier at Work? Why It Could End Communication Overload
Workplace productivity is at a breaking point, and AI may be the only way to free yourself from endless Slacks and email alerts, says a new report from Grammarly.
3 in 5 Americans Say AI Improves Their Lives: Here's Where Most of Them Live
The most common reasons for using AI are writing, editing, and online search, according to a study from The Listening App, which found a lot of ChatGPT fans in the Pacific Northwest.
Big Screens, Small Budgets: People Love Huge TVs, But Not if It Means Going Broke
A recent poll finds that most of us would love a theater-like experience for Super Bowl Sunday, but we're not willing to pay more than $1,000 for TVs that are 65 inches and up.
What's the Fastest Wireless Network in the US?
T-Mobile is giving Verizon and AT&T a run for its money in the speed department. AT&T Fiber is the fastest fixed ISP, but Google Fiber is often on top for state- and city-specific results.
No Service: These Cities and States Are the Top Spots for Cellular Dead Zones
Dead zones don't discriminate. Residents of rural states and big cities both face cell phone connectivity issues. Here are the regions where you're most likely to curse at your phone.
Yikes! The Average American Spent 2.5 Months on Their Phone in 2024
On your phone every 5 minutes? An alarming new study confirms that we're all hopelessly addicted to our devices and suggests the problem is getting worse.
Take a Look Inside 60 Seconds on the Internet
The amount of data processed, crimes committed, and time wasted on the web is at an all-time high, according to Domo's annual 'internet minute' report.
