Tech
‘Shogun’ Creator Says Season 2 ‘Defies Expectations’
The “game” in season 1 was an emotionally charged structure that made you want to take sides between the opposing political forces. In season 2, Marks says, the game shifts to “unpredictable surprises.”
An important piece in making this change happen is the presence of Ochiba no Kata, played by Fumi Nikaido. “In season 1, the role of the ballerina (Anna Sawai) played an important role and functioned as part of the English-language side of the story. In part 2, Ochiba’s character is placed at the center of the story,” Condou says.
Her role in the story, which is based on Yodo-kun, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, goes beyond the confines of recreating history. This allows the political dynamics of the women to emerge as the main focus of the story, enhancing the scale of the political drama.
Shogun’s writers and producers also have to deal with issues unique to historical dramas. History buffs, and Japanese viewers in particular, are already familiar with the outcome of the battle of Sekigahara, and any deviation from this point would cause some raised eyebrows.
Still, Marks is confident about the production’s philosophy, which is to treat culture, history, and language as “structure” rather than “material.”
“We welcome fans and history buffs who are familiar with Japanese history. We are telling a fictional story based on real history. You will be amazed at how fact and fiction blend together.”
The preferred approach to making a modern historical drama is the re-editing of history as a story, rather than as a succession of “known facts.” The Shogun production process—where Sanada and other Japanese crew members are intricately involved—ensures the cultural and historical consistency necessary to make that approach work. “Mutual respect between cultures is more important than ever,” Marks says.
Tech
The Best Bose Coupon Codes for January 2026
If you hate hearing the sound of the world around you, Bose products are for you. And WIRED has Bose coupon codes to help you save. The brand pioneered active noise cancelling headphones, and has remained a pioneer in providing sonic peace to everyone that can afford the brand’s high-end products.
Now you can get Bose discounts off some of our favorite speakers, soundbars, headphones, and other audio devices from the brand, including top picks like its wireless earbuds and over-ear noise canceling headphones.
Bose Headphones, Earbuds, Soundbars and Speakers: Up to 40% Off
Bose makes some of our favorite WIRED-tested headphones. And lucky for you, Bose is heavily discounting some of our favorite models. We at WIRED love open earbuds, and gave these a 7/10 rating because of their innovative, small, and comfy design.
Get $130 Off Bose QuietComfort Headphones
The crowd-pleasing QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), are only $250 now (originally $299) until December 27. The OG Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are now $299 (originally $429), that’s $130 off. Make sure you grab these deals before they’re gone.
Get 10% Off Your First Purchase With a Bose Coupon Code
The way it works is that you sign up with your email. The Bose coupon will be sent within 30 minutes, and it can be used for a maximum discount of $100. Other exclusions may apply. Please see email for full terms and conditions of this offer. It expires December 31, 2025 so you can use the Bose promo code until the end of the year.
Bose Education Discount for Students and Teachers
If you’re a teacher or going to school, you’re also likely able to get another discount from the MIT-owned brand. Eligible students and teachers can claim $30 off on Bose orders over $199, you just need to verify your status via ID.me. This is a great way to snag a discounted pair of headphones for working in your school library, or working out in the gym after work as a professor.
$30 First Responder and Healthcare Discount at Bose
Veterans and active military personnel, nurses, medical personnel, hospital employees, and other first responders can claim $30 off on Bose orders over $199. They also just need to verify their status via ID.me.
Become a My Bose Member for More Benefits
When you buy from Bose.com, you have the option to create a My Bose account where you can easily manage orders, register products, view your warranty status, and enjoy exclusive offers just for My Bose members. If you like the brand and plan to continue to buy its products, it might be worth it to sign up.
The Best Sales to Save on Bose Products
Check back often to snag rotating Bose coupon codes and deals. Otherwise, the best times to buy Bose products are when major sales days are running. You can find discounts during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day, and more.
Tech
Peacock Promo Codes: Up to $80 Off in January 2026
Named after NBC’s iconic logo, Peacock is a video streaming service primarily featuring series and film content from NBC Universal studios, as well as news and sports programming. Premium tiers include a larger content library and access to additional NBC Sports, Hallmark Channel, and WWE content—yes, we’re talkin’ wrasslin.’ And right now, you can get access to all those programs with a Peacock Premium subscription. Save up to 50% on your first 12 months with the latest Peacock promo codes for Black Friday and subscription deals.
With over 30 million subscribers and various plans, Peacock has quickly grown to be a popular streaming service alongside titans like Netflix and Hulu. It even won out against competitors for Olympics and exclusive Paralympics coverage last summer. With original favorites like The Office, Poker Face, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and popular films like Oppenheimer and Jaws (as the film hits its 50th anniversary), there’s something for everyone in the family on Peacock TV. Check out our Peacock coupons, along with other great ways to save while streaming your faves.
Save up to $80 With Today’s Peacock Promo Codes and Subscription Deals
As someone with approximately 792 subscriptions, it can be hard to know just how much I’m paying for each (not to mention how much total I’m spending a month) and which exactly has the content I want to watch most. Peacock also knows that most people use several streaming services and that it’s important to choose the ones that fit best with your budget and needs. Coming in clutch when you’re still in “stay-inside-and-keep-warm” mode, Peacock is offering one full year of Peacock streaming for only $80.
One of the best ways to save on Peacock streaming is through annual plan discounts (versus monthly). That comes out to be $80 annually, meaning you’ll get 12 months for the price of 10, and save 16% on a Premium yearly plan, for only $9 per month—otherwise it’s $11 when paid monthly. There’s also Premium Plus, which has no ads, the ability to download and watch certain titles while offline, and includes your local NBC channel live, 24/7. This subscription tier is $17 per month, or $14 when paid annually. In short, you’ll be paying only $80 annually for either Basic or Premium plans!
Student, Military Members, and Teachers Get $7 Off Peacock
To unlock more discounts on a Peacock subscription, check if you qualify for their exclusive offers dedicated to students, teachers, and military members, medical workers, and other first responders. Eligible college students and young adults 18 to 24 can get 12 months of Peacock Premium at $3 a month (instead of the current rate of $11 per month). If you want Peacock for the whole family, you can even stream on 3 devices at once and even create up to 6 profiles with kid-safety settings. Peacock also has discounts for military members and teachers – verify your status, and get 12 months of Peacock Premium for $4 per month.
Save up to 40% With Peacock Apple TV+ and Xfinity Bundle Deals
If it feels like you’re paying for approximately 403 streaming services, Peacock has reduced that number by one, at least. Now, you can bundle Xfinity and Peacock and save 40% on all of your favorite media content for $15 per month. You can get Peacock, Apple TV+, and Netflix when you add StreamSaver with Xfinity Internet. Prices vary based on which you choose: Netflix with ads is $8 per month, Peacock Premium with ads is $8 per month, and the Peacock Apple TV+ bundle is $15 per month.
There’s also Xfinity NOW StreamSaver Bundle—for $30 per month, this Xfinity internet bundle includes NOW TV, which has over 125 live channels and on-demand programming, Netflix with ads, Apple TV+, and Peacock Premium with ads. New or existing Xfinity Internet customers who subscribe to Gigabit or higher speed service can get two years of Peacock Premium for free, to boot! Along with the above deals, you can get Peacock Premium at no additional cost for Diamond or Platinum tier Xfinity Rewards members with any level of Xfinity Internet. To redeem, just login to your Xfinity Rewards account, click on the “Get Peacock Premium at no extra cost” reward, choose “Get This Reward”, and follow the provided steps. You’ll get an email with instructions to activate your offer.
Watch Your Favorites and New Peacock TV Releases This Month
There is a wide breadth of new content coming to Peacock this month, including the cult favorite Peacock original adaptation of the classic original, Bel-Air, for Season 4. If you’re looking for something a little less intense, a new season of Vanderpump Rules is coming your way; so get prepared for Rich People Drama!
One of the best things to do during the holiday season is to put on a nostalgic movie that is good for the whole family, like the Harry Potter series. On Peacock, you can binge the entire Harry Potter saga in the background while dozing off and sneaking into the kitchen for seconds (or thirds).
If you’re like me and love to just absolutely turn your brain off (I’m talking no neuron flare ups would be detected in an MRI) and watch reality TV, let me introduce you to the wonderful world of Love Island. If you love watching Instagram models go from room to room to pool to gym and back again in a long-form version of a game of Telephone, this is the show for you. The great part is that every episode is about an hour long and there are approximately 4,200 episodes per season.
Tech
Traces of Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA May Have Been Discovered on a Red Chalk Drawing Called ‘Holy Child’
Researchers from the Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project (LDVP) report that by analyzing the drawing of Holy Child and other Renaissance artifacts, such as letters written by a da Vinci relative, they have recovered some Y chromosome DNA sequences that appear to belong to a genetic group of people with common ancestors in Tuscany, where the genius and Renaissance master was born in 1452. The findings, first reported in Science, could be the first time scientists have identified DNA from da Vinci himself.
The DNA
Historical artifacts can accumulate DNA from the environment and potentially offer useful information about the people who created and handled them. Gathering that material on such precious objects without damaging or contaminating them, though, is a complex challenge. Today, decisions about the authorship of a work depend on expert opinion—for example, on how a brushstroke was created.
The LDVP researchers therefore used an extremely gentle swabbing method to attempt to collect biological material. They then extracted small amounts of DNA, which provided useful information. “We recovered heterogeneous mixtures of nonhuman DNA,“ states the study, published in the preprint journal bioRxiv, “and, in a subset of samples, sparse male-specific human DNA signals.”
The da Vinci Clue
From the analysis the researchers concluded that they found the closest match within the broad E1b1b lineage on the Y chromosome (whose sections are passed on almost unchanged from father to son) that is now commonly found in southern Europe, Africa, and parts of the Middle East. Some of the DNA, they say, may have come from Leonardo da Vinci himself.
“Across multiple independent swabs from Leonardo da Vinci–associated items, the obtained Y chromosome marker data suggested assignments within the broader E1b1/E1b1b clade,” the study reads. The results also indicate mixed DNA contributions associated with the source materials, though, consistent with modern handling.
“Together, these data demonstrate the feasibility as well as limitations of combining metagenomics and human DNA marker analysis for cultural heritage science,” the paper reads, “providing a baseline workflow for future conservation science studies and hypothesis-driven investigations of provenance, authentication and handling history.”
Further Investigation
While the researches have demonstrated an innovative approach, they acknowledge that they didn’t come back with conclusive evidence. Although the data suggest that the DNA could be da Vinci’s, asserting that any trace of DNA in the artifacts actually belongs to him is very complicated. “Establishing an unequivocal identity … is extremely complex,” David Caramelli, an anthropologist at the University of Florence and LDVP member, told Science.
This is because scientists cannot verify the genetic sequences of the artifacts by comparing them with DNA known to have been taken from Leonardo da Vinci himself; there are still no confirmed samples. Moreover, da Vinci had no known direct descendants, and his burial site was breached in the early 19th century. Encouraged by the first clue about da Vinci’s DNA, LDVP scientists now hope to convince the custodians of Leonardo’s works and notebooks to allow them further sampling that could solve the case.
This story originally appeared in WIRED Italia and has been translated from Italian.
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