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{{short description|Design, technology, science, and science fiction website and blog}}
{{short description|Design, technology, science, and science fiction website and blog}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Gizmodo Media Group]], of which ''Gizmodo'' is the flagship website, nor ''[[Gizmondo]]'', a handheld game console}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Gizmodo Media Group]], of which ''Gizmodo'' is the former flagship website, nor ''[[Gizmondo]]'', a handheld game console}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{italic title}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox website
{{Infobox website
| name = ''Gizmodo''
| name = ''Gizmodo''
| logo = Gizmodo.svg
| logo = Gizmodo.svg
| screenshot = Gizmodoscreenshot.png
| screenshot = Gizmodoscreenshot.png
| caption =
| caption =
| url = {{URL|https://gizmodo.com}}
| url = {{URL|https://gizmodo.com}}
| commercial = Yes
| commercial = Yes
| type = [[Design]], [[technology]], [[science]], [[science fiction]], [[blog]]
| type = [[Design]], [[technology]], [[science]], [[science fiction]], [[blog]]
| country_of_origin= United States
| country_of_origin = United States
| language = English, French, Dutch, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese
| language = English, French, Dutch, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese
| registration = Optional
| registration = Optional
| owner = [[G/O Media]]
| owner = Keleops Media
| author = [[Peter Rojas]]
| author = [[Peter Rojas]]
| editor = Rory Carroll<ref name="Rory Carroll named group editor" />
| editor = [[David M. Ewalt]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/go-media-announces-new-editors-in-chief-of-av-club-gizmodo-jezebel-301366488.html |title=MG/O Media Announces New Editors In Chief Of AV Club, Gizmodo, Jezebel |work=Cision |date=2021-08-31 |accessdate=2021-09-14}}</ref>
| launch_date = {{start date and age|2002|7|1}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whois.domaintools.com/gizmodo.com|title=Gizmodo.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info – DomainTools|work=[[WHOIS]]|access-date=September 16, 2016}}</ref>
| launch_date = {{start date and age|2002|7|1}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whois.domaintools.com/gizmodo.com|title=Gizmodo.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info – DomainTools|work=[[WHOIS]]|access-date=September 16, 2016|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930111402/https://whois.domaintools.com/gizmodo.com|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Gizmodo''''' ({{IPAc-en|ɡ|ɪ|z|ˈ|m|oʊ|d|oʊ}} {{respell|giz|MOH|doh}}) is a design, technology, science and [[science fiction]] website. It was originally launched as part of the [[Gawker Media]] network run by [[Nick Denton]], and runs on the [[Kinja (website)|Kinja]] platform. ''Gizmodo'' also includes the subsite ''[[io9]]'', which focuses on science fiction and futurism. ''Gizmodo'' is now part of [[G/O Media]], owned by private equity firm Great Hill Partners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/univision-finalizes-sale-of-former-gawker-portfolio-and-the-onion-to-private-equity-firm-great-hill-partners-1202591007/|title=Univision Finalizes Sale Of Former Gawker Portfolio And The Onion To Private Equity Firm Great Hill Partners|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=2019-04-08|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-12-17}}</ref>
'''''Gizmodo''''' ({{IPAc-en|ɡ|ɪ|z|ˈ|m|oʊ|d|oʊ}} {{respell|giz|MOH|doh}}) is a design, technology, science, and [[science fiction]] website. It was originally launched as part of the [[Gawker Media]] network run by [[Nick Denton]], and runs on the [[Kinja (website)|Kinja]] platform. ''Gizmodo'' also includes the sub-blogs ''[[io9]]'' and ''Earther'', which focus on pop-culture and environmentalism respectively.

Following the [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] of Gawker Media, [[Univision Communications|Univision]] purchased ''Gizmodo'' along with other Gawker websites in August 2016.<ref name="GawkerEnd" /> Then in 2019, Univision sold the [[Gizmodo Media Group]], which included ''Gizmodo'', to the [[private equity firm]] Great Hill Partners. From April 2019 to June 2024, ''Gizmodo'' was part of [[G/O Media]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/univision-finalizes-sale-of-former-gawker-portfolio-and-the-onion-to-private-equity-firm-great-hill-partners-1202591007/|title=Univision Finalizes Sale Of Former Gawker Portfolio And The Onion To Private Equity Firm Great Hill Partners|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=2019-04-08|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-12-17|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111234020/https://deadline.com/2019/04/univision-finalizes-sale-of-former-gawker-portfolio-and-the-onion-to-private-equity-firm-great-hill-partners-1202591007/|url-status=live}}</ref> The website was then purchased by the European digital media company Keleops Media in June 2024.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Baragona |first=Justin |date=2024-06-04 |title=G/O Media Sells Off Gizmodo |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/go-media-sells-off-gizmodo |access-date=2024-06-04 |work=The Daily Beast |language=en |archive-date=June 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604164051/https://www.thedailybeast.com/go-media-sells-off-gizmodo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Katie |date=2024-06-04 |title=Gizmodo Sold to European Media Company |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/04/business/media/gizmodo-sold-keleops.html |access-date=2024-06-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The blog, launched in 2002, was originally edited by [[Peter Rojas]], who was later recruited by [[Weblogs, Inc.]] to launch their similar technology blog, ''[[Engadget]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} By mid-2004, ''Gizmodo'' and ''[[Gawker]]'' together were bringing in revenue of approximately $6,500 per month.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2004/06/01/370437/index.htm|title=What Makes Nick Tick? The smartest publisher in the blogosphere says there's no money online. So why doesn't anyone believe him? |author=Greg Lindsay|date=June 1, 2004|publisher=[[Business 2.0]]|access-date=January 27, 2007}}</ref>


=== Origins and Gawker Media ===
Gizmodo then launched in other locations:
{{See also|Gawker Media#History}}
The blog, launched in 2002, was originally edited by [[Peter Rojas]], who was later recruited by [[Weblogs, Inc.]] to launch their similar technology blog, ''[[Engadget]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gillin |first=Paul |title=The New Influencers: A Marketer’s Guide to the New Social Media |publisher=Linden Publishing |year=2007 |isbn=9781610351102 |pages=57-61 |chapter=Influencer Profile: The Gadget King}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=August 1, 2022 |title=This Is How Gizmodo Started |url=https://gizmodo.com/this-is-how-gizmodo-started-5934312 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=Gizmodo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-03-03 |title=10 Years In: The birth of Engadget |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014-03-03-the-birth-of-engadget.html |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref> By mid-2004, ''Gizmodo'' and ''[[Gawker]]'' together were bringing in revenue of approximately $6,500 per month.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2004/06/01/370437/index.htm|title=What Makes Nick Tick? The smartest publisher in the blogosphere says there's no money online. So why doesn't anyone believe him?|author=Greg Lindsay|date=June 1, 2004|publisher=[[Business 2.0]]|access-date=January 27, 2007|archive-date=May 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506191532/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2004/06/01/370437/index.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005, [[Nielsen Company|VNU Media]] and Gawker Media formed an alliance to republish ''Gizmodo'' across Europe, with VNU translating the content into French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, and adding local European-interest material.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2005/10/07/vnu_to_publish_gawkers_gizmodo_blog_in_europe/ |title = VNU to Publish Gawker's Gizmodo Blog in Europe |publisher = MarketingVOX |date = October 7, 2005 |access-date = January 27, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070324013012/http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2005/10/07/vnu_to_publish_gawkers_gizmodo_blog_in_europe/ |archive-date = March 24, 2007}}</ref>

In February 2011, ''Gizmodo'' underwent a major redesign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-02-07 |title=This Is the New Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/this-is-the-new-gizmodo-5752428 |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602095441/https://gizmodo.com/this-is-the-new-gizmodo-5752428 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, Matt Novak moved his Paleofuture blog to ''Gizmodo'' from ''[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-paleofuture-blog-has-moved-to-gizmodo-86286466/ |title=The Paleofuture Blog Has Moved to Gizmodo |work=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]] |date=May 30, 2013 |access-date=August 11, 2018 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407203222/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-paleofuture-blog-has-moved-to-gizmodo-86286466/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

⚫
In 2015, the Gawker blog ''io9'' was merged into ''Gizmodo''. The staff of ''io9'' continued with ''Gizmodo'' and continued to post articles on subjects covered by the website, including science fiction, fantasy, futurism, science, technology and astronomy.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ingram|first1=Mathew|title=Gawker Media merging Gizmodo and io9 teams into a tech super-hub|url=https://gigaom.com/2015/01/15/gawker-media-merging-gizmodo-and-io9-blogs-into-a-tech-super-hub/|website=GigaOM|access-date=August 19, 2016|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407203224/https://gigaom.com/2015/01/15/gawker-media-merging-gizmodo-and-io9-blogs-into-a-tech-super-hub/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Univision and G/O Media ===
{{See also|Gizmodo Media Group|G/O Media}}
''Gizmodo'' was one of six websites that was purchased by [[Univision Communications]] in their acquisition of Gawker Media in August 2016.<ref name="GawkerEnd">{{cite web|last1=Calderone|first1=Michael|title=Gawker.com Ending Operations Next Week|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gawker-closing_us_57b5e870e4b0fd5a2f41cbb5|website=The Huffington Post|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=October 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016051720/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gawker-closing_us_57b5e870e4b0fd5a2f41cbb5|url-status=live}}</ref> Univision in turn sold ''Gizmodo'' and an array of sister websites to [[private equity firm]] Great Hill Partners in 2019; they combined the various former Gawker publications under the name of [[G/O Media]].<ref name=":1" /> In August 2021, [[David M. Ewalt]] became the [[editor-in-chief]] (EIC) of ''Gizmodo'' with Andrew Couts who was promoted to the executive editor;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/go-media-announces-new-editors-in-chief-of-av-club-gizmodo-jezebel-301366488.html |title=MG/O Media Announces New Editors In Chief Of AV Club, Gizmodo, Jezebel |work=Cision |date=2021-08-31 |access-date=2021-09-14 |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914205831/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/go-media-announces-new-editors-in-chief-of-av-club-gizmodo-jezebel-301366488.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ewalt left in 2023 for ''[[The Messenger (website)|The Messenger]]''.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-05-02 |title=The Messenger To Launch May 15 |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/05/02/messenger-launch-may-150-journalists |accessdate=2023-05-02 |work=Axios}}</ref> In January 2024, Rory Carroll was promoted from EIC of ''Jalopnik'' to group editor of both ''Jalopnik'' and ''Gizmodo''.<ref name="Rory Carroll named group editor">{{Cite web |last=Roush |first=Chris |date=2024-01-08 |title=Carroll takes on Gizmodo in addition to Jalopnik |url=https://talkingbiznews.com/media-news/carroll-takes-on-gizmodo-in-addition-to-jalopnik/ |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Talking Biz News |language=en-US}}</ref> Then in March 2024, Rose Pastore was promoted from ''Gizmodo''<nowiki/>'s deputy editor to its executive editor.<ref name="Rory Carroll named group editor" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roush |first=Chris |date=2024-03-20 |title=Gizmodo promotes Pastore to executive editor |url=https://talkingbiznews.com/media-news/gizmodo-promotes-pastore-to-executive-editor/ |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Talking Biz News |language=en-US}}</ref>

G/O Media's leadership, introduced after the purchase from Univision, was subject to frequent criticism by employees. Complaints include closer advertiser relationships, a lack of diversity, and suppression of reporting about the company itself.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Tani |first=Maxwell |date=2019-07-18 |title=Gizmodo Media Staff Enraged at New CEO's 'Insane' Direction |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/gizmodo-media-staff-enraged-at-new-ceos-insane-direction |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801231955/https://www.thedailybeast.com/gizmodo-media-staff-enraged-at-new-ceos-insane-direction |archive-date=August 1, 2019 |access-date=July 28, 2019 |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The company also saw multiple disputes with the [[Trade union|employee union]] GMG Union.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-14 |title=GMG Union votes no confidence in G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/online-outlets/gmg-union-jim-spanfeller-no-confidence.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114100437/https://awfulannouncing.com/online-outlets/gmg-union-jim-spanfeller-no-confidence.html |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |access-date=2020-02-02 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Eidelson |first1=Josh |date=4 February 2021 |title=G/O Media Told Staff Activism Got Editor Fired, Union Says |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-04/gizmodo-told-staff-it-fired-editor-for-activism-union-claims |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212201843/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-04/gizmodo-told-staff-it-fired-editor-for-activism-union-claims |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=4 February 2021 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Geier |first1=Thom |date=1 March 2022 |title=''Jezebel'', ''Gizmodo'', ''The Root'' and Other G/O Media Writers Go on Strike |url=https://www.thewrap.com/jezebel-gizmodo-the-root-and-other-g-o-media-writers-go-on-strike/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301153355/https://www.thewrap.com/jezebel-gizmodo-the-root-and-other-g-o-media-writers-go-on-strike/ |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=The Wrap}}</ref> On June 29, 2023, G/O Media implemented a "modest test" of [[artificial intelligence]]-generated content on its websites, such as ''Gizmodo''<nowiki/>'s ''io9''. The move sparked backlash from GMG Union members, citing AI's track record of false statements and plagiarism from its training data, with basic errors in the generated content also attracting attention.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tangermann |first1=Victor |date=30 June 2023 |title=''Gizmodo'' and ''Kotaku'' Staff Furious After Owner Announces Move to AI Content |url=https://futurism.com/gizmodo-kotaku-staff-furious-ai-content |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705105952/https://futurism.com/gizmodo-kotaku-staff-furious-ai-content |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |access-date=6 July 2023 |work=Futurism}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |date=5 July 2023 |title=Gizmodo's ''io9'' Published an AI-Generated Star Wars Article That Was Filled With Errors |url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/io9-ai-generated-star-wars-article-errors-1235662194/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706030317/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/io9-ai-generated-star-wars-article-errors-1235662194/ |archive-date=July 6, 2023 |access-date=6 July 2023 |work=Variety}}</ref>

=== Keleops Media ===
In June 2024, ''Gizmodo'' was purchased by the European digital media company Keleops Media.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> This is the French company's "first U.S. acquisition" – Keleops "owns several French-language technology titles, including legacy brands [[:fr:01net (site web)|01net]] and Presse-citron".<ref name=":3" /> Mark Stenberg of ''[[Adweek]]'' commented that "financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The entire Gizmodo staff will receive offer letters to stay with the company, and Keleops plans to expand the team in the near future".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Stenberg |first=Mark |date=June 4, 2024 |title=Gizmodo Acquired by French Media Firm Keleops |url=https://www.adweek.com/media/gizmodo-acquired-keleops-go-media/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604171831/https://www.adweek.com/media/gizmodo-acquired-keleops-go-media/ |archive-date=June 4, 2024 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=[[Adweek]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Stenberg reported that, per Keleops CEO Jean-Guillaume Kleis, "the company has no immediate plans to change ''Gizmodo'', either from a commercial or editorial perspective" and will instead "work with ''Gizmodo'' editor in chief Rory Carroll to discuss its forward-looking editorial plan and identify growth areas to support with investment".<ref name=":3" /> Claudia Cohen of ''[[Le Figaro]]'' commented that "it is rare for a European media group to get its hands on an American player, who is also specialized in the field of tech" – Kleis told the French newspaper that they "paid the price to enter the American market through a good door".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Claudia |date=June 4, 2024 |title=Le groupe média Keleops (Presse Citron, 01Net...) s’offre le site tech américain Gizmodo |trans-title=The Keleops media group (Presse Citron, 01Net, etc.) acquires the American tech site Gizmodo |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/medias/le-groupe-media-keleops-presse-citron-01net-s-offre-le-site-tech-americain-gizmodo-20240604 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=[[Le Figaro]] |language=fr}}</ref>


== Associated outlets ==
*In 2005, VNU and Gawker Media formed an alliance to republish ''Gizmodo'' across Europe, with VNU translating the content into French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, and adding local European-interest material.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2005/10/07/vnu_to_publish_gawkers_gizmodo_blog_in_europe/ |title = VNU to Publish Gawker's Gizmodo Blog in Europe |publisher = MarketingVOX |date = October 7, 2005 |access-date = January 27, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070324013012/http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2005/10/07/vnu_to_publish_gawkers_gizmodo_blog_in_europe/ |archive-date = March 24, 2007}}</ref>


=== International ===
*In 2006, ''Gizmodo Japan'' was launched by Mediagene, with additional Japanese contents.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}
''Gizmodo'' launched associated outlets in various international markets:
*In 2006, ''Gizmodo Japan'' was launched by Mediagene.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-04 |title=Company History |url=https://corporate.mediagene.co.jp/en/company/ |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=株式会社メディアジーン (Mediagene Inc.) |language=en |quote=July 2006: Launched GIZMODO JAPAN, the Japanese version of the media blog GIZMODO published in the U.S. and eight European countries}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-15 |title=Gizmodo Japan |url=https://www.mediagene.co.jp/en/media/gizmodo |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=メディアジーン (Mediagene) |language=en}}</ref>


⚫
*{{anchor|Australia}}In 2007, ''Gizmodo Australia'' was launched in the US,<ref name="aboutgizau">{{cite web |date=14 December 2021 |title=About Gizmodo Australia |url=https://www.gizmodo.com.au/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727160350/https://gizmodo.com.au/about/ |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=Gizmodo Australia}}</ref> by [[Allure Media]] under license from Gawker Media.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 9, 2012 |title=Gizmodo Australia |url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726114929/https://gizmodo.com.au/ |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |publisher=Gizmodo.com.au}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=Links to home page of web site, which does not verify material.|date=November 2015}} This site incorporates additional Australian content, and is branded ''Gizmodo AU''.<ref name="aboutgizau" /> In 2018, Australian media company [[Nine Entertainment]] merged the business behind [[PEDESTRIAN.TV]] with that of Allure Media<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samios |first=Zoe |date=2018-12-11 |title=Pedestrian TV and Allure merge, with Jason Scott to depart |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/pedestrian-tv-and-allure-merge-with-jason-scott-to-depart-556664 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204140543/https://mumbrella.com.au/pedestrian-tv-and-allure-merge-with-jason-scott-to-depart-556664 |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |access-date=2021-04-14 |website=Mumbrella |language=en-US}}</ref> and formed the larger Pedestrian Group;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Lindsay |date=11 December 2018 |title=Pedestrian TV to absorb Allure Media in post-Fairfax consolidation |url=https://www.adnews.com.au/pedestrian-tv-to-absorb-allure-media |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321013521/https://www.adnews.com.au/pedestrian-tv-to-absorb-allure-media |archive-date=March 21, 2022 |access-date=2021-04-14 |website=AdNews |language=en}}</ref> the website and associated company changed its name to [[Pedestrian (company)|Pedestrian]], and also incorporated the brands ''Gizmodo AU'',<ref name="aboutgizau" /> ''[[Business Insider Australia]]'', ''[[Kotaku Australia]]'' and [[PopSugar|POPSUGAR Australia]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Nine merging digital publishers Pedestrian.TV & Allure Media | website=Mediaweek | date=11 December 2018 | url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/nine-merging-digital-publishers-pedestrian-tv-allure-media/ | access-date=17 March 2022 | archive-date=March 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317054717/https://www.mediaweek.com.au/nine-merging-digital-publishers-pedestrian-tv-allure-media/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Home page| website=Pedestrian Group| url=https://pedestriangroup.com.au/| access-date=17 March 2022| archive-date=March 15, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315163319/https://pedestriangroup.com.au/| url-status=live}}</ref>
{{anchor|Australia}}
*In 2007, ''Gizmodo Australia'' was launched in the US,<ref name=aboutgizau>{{cite web | title=About Gizmodo Australia | website=Gizmodo Australia | date=14 December 2021 | url=https://www.gizmodo.com.au/about/ | access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref> by [[Allure Media]] under license from Gawker Media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/ |title=Gizmodo Australia |publisher=Gizmodo.com.au |date=August 9, 2012 |access-date=September 3, 2012}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=Links to home page of web site, which does not verify material.|date=November 2015}} This site incorporates additional Australian content, and is branded ''Gizmodo AU''.<ref name=aboutgizau/>


*In November 2007, [[HUB Uitgevers]] took over the Dutch magazine license from [[Nielsen Company|VNU Media]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 25, 2007 |title=VNU Media stoot computerbladen af |trans-title=VNU Media launched the computer magazine |url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2007/10/25/vnu-media-stoot-computerbladen-af-11438614-a505474 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20240604190640/https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2007/10/25/vnu-media-stoot-computerbladen-af-11438614-a505474 |archive-date=June 4, 2024 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=[[NRC Handelsblad]] |language=nl-NL }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2007 |title=Media: HUB neemt titels VNU Media over |trans-title=HUB takes over titles from VNU Media |url=https://fonkmagazine.nl/artikelen/media/hub-neemt-titels-vnu-media-over-4034.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=FONK Magazine |language=nl-NL}}</ref>
*In November 2007, the Dutch magazine license was taken over by [[HUB Uitgevers]].{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}


*In September 2008, ''Gizmodo Brazil'' was launched with Portuguese content.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmodo.com.br/ |title=Gizmodo Brazil |publisher=Gizmodo.com.br |access-date=September 3, 2012}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=Links to home page of web site, which does not verify material.|date=November 2015}}
*In September 2008, ''Gizmodo Brazil'' was launched with Portuguese content.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gizmodo Brazil |url=http://www.gizmodo.com.br/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911213432/http://gizmodo.com.br/ |archive-date=September 11, 2010 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |publisher=Gizmodo.com.br}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=Links to home page of web site, which does not verify material.|date=November 2015}}


*In September 2011, ''Gizmodo UK'' was launched with [[Future plc|Future]], to cover British news.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/aug/31/gizmodo-launch-uk |title=Gizmodo to launch in the UK |publisher=Guardian.com |date=August 31, 2011 |access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> ''Gizmodo UK'' was later shut down in September 2020,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tamburro |first1=Paul |title=Kotaku UK and ''Gizmodo UK'' shutting down, rights reverted back to G/O Media |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/658561-kotaku-uk-gizmodo-shut-down |website=GameRevolution |publisher=Evolve Media LLC |access-date=16 September 2020 |date=7 September 2020}}</ref> with all web links redirecting to Gizmodo.com.
*In September 2011, ''Gizmodo UK'' was launched with [[Future plc|Future]], to cover British news.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 31, 2011 |title=Gizmodo to launch in the UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/aug/31/gizmodo-launch-uk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204140549/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/aug/31/gizmodo-launch-uk |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |access-date=September 29, 2017 |publisher=Guardian.com}}</ref> ''Gizmodo UK'' was later shut down in September 2020,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tamburro |first1=Paul |date=7 September 2020 |title=Kotaku UK and ''Gizmodo UK'' shutting down, rights reverted back to G/O Media |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/658561-kotaku-uk-gizmodo-shut-down |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204140543/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/658561-kotaku-uk-gizmodo-shut-down |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |access-date=16 September 2020 |website=GameRevolution |publisher=Evolve Media LLC}}</ref> with all web links redirecting to Gizmodo.com.


=== Sub-blogs ===
In February 2011, ''Gizmodo'' underwent a major redesign.<ref>[https://gizmodo.com/5752428/this-is-the-new-gizmodo/ This Is the New Gizmodo], Gizmodo.com</ref>
''Gizmodo'' contains two sub-blogs as part of the wider site:


==== ''io9'' ====
In 2013, Matt Novak moved his Paleofuture blog to ''Gizmodo'' from ''[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-paleofuture-blog-has-moved-to-gizmodo-86286466/ |title=The Paleofuture Blog Has Moved to Gizmodo |work=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]] |date=May 30, 2013 |access-date=August 11, 2018}}</ref>
{{Main articles|io9}}
'''''io9''''' is a [[science fiction]] and [[fantasy]] pop-culture focused sub-blog which was launched as a standalone [[blog]] in 2008 by then editor [[Annalee Newitz]] under Gawker Media,<ref name="wired">{{cite magazine |last=Wortham |first=Jenna |date=2008-01-02 |title=Gawker Blasts Into Sci-Fi With New Blog, Io9; a Q&A With Editor Annalee Newitz |url=https://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/news/2008/01/gawker_scifiblog |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=2008-06-10 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025002849/http://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/news/2008/01/gawker_scifiblog |url-status=live }}</ref> before being folded under ''Gizmodo'' in 2015 as part of a reorganization under parent company Gawker.<ref name="io9 to Become Part of Gizmodo">{{Cite web |date=2015-11-17 |title=io9 to Become Part of Gizmodo |url=https://www.cbr.com/io9-to-become-part-of-gizmodo/ |access-date=2021-06-01 |website=CBR |language=en-US |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215743/https://www.cbr.com/io9-to-become-part-of-gizmodo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, James Whitbrook replaced Jill Pantozzi as the site's deputy editor''.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2021 |title=A Message from Your New Editor |url=https://gizmodo.com/a-message-from-your-new-editor-1848163731 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016092358/https://gizmodo.com/a-message-from-your-new-editor-1848163731 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==== ''Earther'' ====
⚫
In 2015, the Gawker blog ''io9'' was merged into ''Gizmodo''. The staff of ''io9'' continued with ''Gizmodo'' and continued to post articles on subjects covered by the website, including science fiction, fantasy, futurism, science, technology and astronomy.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ingram|first1=Mathew|title=Gawker Media merging Gizmodo and io9 teams into a tech super-hub|url=https://gigaom.com/2015/01/15/gawker-media-merging-gizmodo-and-io9-blogs-into-a-tech-super-hub/|website=GigaOM|access-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Logo of Earther dot com.png|thumb|left|Earther logo used from 2017 to 2023.]]


'''''Earther''''' is an environmental news sub-blog which was launched in September 2017.<ref name=":0" /> Earther launched with the mission to chronicle three main topics: "The future of Earth," "The future of humans on Earth," and "The future of life on Earth."<ref>{{cite news |last=Weissman |first=Cale Guthrie |date=2017-08-06 |title=Gizmodo's New Environmental Site "Earther" Will Chronicle The Earth's Decline |work=Fast Company |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/40473755/gizmodos-new-environmental-site-earther-will-chronicle-the-earths-decline |accessdate=6 August 2018 |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118205317/https://www.fastcompany.com/40473755/gizmodos-new-environmental-site-earther-will-chronicle-the-earths-decline |url-status=live }}</ref> Founding managing editor Maddie Stone said that the site was created because it "felt like a salient and important time to create a destination for environmental news where folks can go to read up on the latest studies, but also hear the latest news about how natural disasters are affecting people, the big important environmental policies being raised around the world, and some of the biggest conservation stories."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2017-10-03 |title=New site aims for 'brutally honest' environmental news |language=en |work=Columbia Journalism Review |url=https://www.cjr.org/innovations/climate-change-news-earther.php |access-date=2018-02-04 |archive-date=April 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402051453/https://www.cjr.org/innovations/climate-change-news-earther.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Gizmodo'' was one of six websites that was purchased by [[Univision Communications]] in their acquisition of Gawker Media in August 2016. Univision in turn sold ''Gizmodo'' and an array of sister websites to private equity firm Great Hill Partners in 2019.<ref name=GawkerEnd>{{cite web|last1=Calderone|first1=Michael|title=Gawker.com Ending Operations Next Week|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gawker-closing_us_57b5e870e4b0fd5a2f41cbb5|website=The Huffington Post|date=August 18, 2016}}</ref>


During its lifetime, former Earther journalists Yessenia Funues, Brian Kahn, and Molly Taft won [[SEAL Awards]] for their environmental reporting. <ref>{{cite web |date=2020-02-13 |title=2019 SEAL Environmental Journalism Award Winners Announced |url=https://sealawards.com/environmental-journalism-award-2019/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=[[SEAL Awards]] |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219184037/https://sealawards.com/environmental-journalism-award-2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2021-02-17 |title=Twelve Journalists Recognized as 2020 SEAL Environmental Journalism Award Winners |url=https://sealawards.com/environmental-journalism-award-2020/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=[[SEAL Awards]] |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209160214/https://sealawards.com/environmental-journalism-award-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=Twelve Journalists Recognized as 2022 SEAL Environmental Journalism Award Winners |url=https://sealawards.com/twelve-journalists-recognized-as-2022-seal-environmental-journalism-award-winners/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=[[SEAL Awards]] |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207220355/https://sealawards.com/twelve-journalists-recognized-as-2022-seal-environmental-journalism-award-winners |url-status=live }}</ref>
⚫
In Australia in 2018, after [[Nine Entertainment]] merged the business behind [[PEDESTRIAN.TV]] with that of Allure Media,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Samios|first=Zoe|date=2018-12-11|title=Pedestrian TV and Allure merge, with Jason Scott to depart| url=https://mumbrella.com.au/pedestrian-tv-and-allure-merge-with-jason-scott-to-depart-556664|access-date=2021-04-14 |website=Mumbrella| language=en-US}}</ref> forming the larger [[Pedestrian Group]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pedestrian TV to absorb Allure Media in post-Fairfax consolidation |url=https://www.adnews.com.au/pedestrian-tv-to-absorb-allure-media|first= Lindsay |last=Bennett |date= 11 December 2018| access-date=2021-04-14|website= AdNews|language=en}}</ref> the website and associated company changed its name to Pedestrian, and also incorporated the brands ''Gizmodo AU'',<ref name=aboutgizau/> ''[[Business Insider Australia]]'', [[Kotaku]] and [[PopSugar|POPSUGAR Australia]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Nine merging digital publishers Pedestrian.TV & Allure Media | website=Mediaweek | date=11 December 2018 | url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/nine-merging-digital-publishers-pedestrian-tv-allure-media/ | access-date=17 March 2022}}</ref><ref >{{cite web | title=Home page| website=Pedestrian Group | url=https://pedestriangroup.com.au/ | access-date=17 March 2022}}</ref>


As of broader G/O Media layoffs in November 2023 the last member of the sub-blog, Angely Mercado, was laid off meaning there are currently no staff listed as working for the sub-blog.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2023-11-09 |title=Jezebel Shutting Down, Parent Company G/O Media Laying Off 23 Staffers |url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/jezebel-shutting-down-go-media-layoffs-1235785877/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109163431/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/jezebel-shutting-down-go-media-layoffs-1235785877/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Gizmodo |date=2011-10-04 |title=About Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/about-gizmodo-5732042 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224214226/https://gizmodo.com/about-gizmodo-5732042 |archive-date=2023-12-24 |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Gizmodo |language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/AngelyMercado/status/1722664855239323954 Just got laid off from G/O with 20+ staffers (before xmas). I am going to miss my colleagues and am forever grateful that I got to work alongside so many talented people as the last Earthling at @Gizmodo. If you need a climate/science writer or fact-checker, shoot me a DM <3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222162928/https://twitter.com/AngelyMercado/status/1722664855239323954|date=December 22, 2023}} </ref>
==Coverage==
A ''Gizmodo'' blogger captured the first photos from the floor of the [[International Consumer Electronics Show]] (CES) 2007<ref>{{cite news| url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/archives/2007/01/07/gizmodo_claims_first_blood_at_ces_2007.html | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Jack | last=Schofield | title=Gizmodo claims first blood at CES 2007 | date=January 7, 2007}}</ref> and, according to [[Reuters]], journalists at the (simultaneous) ''[[Macworld]]'' debated whether ''Gizmodo'' or ''Engadget'' had the better live coverage of Steve Jobs' 2007 keynote speech.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSN1023933820070110
|title=Apple's iPhone steals spotlight from rival tech show
⚫
|date=January 10, 2007
|publisher=Reuters
⚫
|access-date=April 6, 2009}}</ref>


==Controversy==
== Controversy ==


===TV-B-Gone===
===TV-B-Gone===
Line 63: Line 78:
|url=http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9848317-1.html
|url=http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9848317-1.html
|title=Bloggers behaving badly: Gizmodo messes with CES flat screens
|title=Bloggers behaving badly: Gizmodo messes with CES flat screens
|first= Rafe | last= Needleman
|first=Rafe
|last=Needleman
|date=January 10, 2008
|date=January 10, 2008
|access-date=January 11, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|access-date=January 11, 2008
|archive-date=May 16, 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516192115/http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9848317-1.html
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=https://gizmodo.com/343348/confessions-the-meanest-thing-gizmodo-did-at-ces
|url=https://gizmodo.com/343348/confessions-the-meanest-thing-gizmodo-did-at-ces
|title=Confessions: The Meanest Thing Gizmodo Did at CES
|title=Confessions: The Meanest Thing Gizmodo Did at CES
|first=Brian |last= Lam
|first=Brian
|last=Lam
|date=January 10, 2008
|date=January 10, 2008
⚫
|access-date=January 11, 2008
⚫
|access-date=January 11, 2008}}</ref> Blakely secretly turned off TVs using [[TV-B-Gone]] remote controls, resulting in his being barred from CES 2008, and any future CES events.
⚫
|archive-date=January 10, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110072110/https://gizmodo.com/343348/confessions-the-meanest-thing-gizmodo-did-at-ces
|url-status=live
⚫
}}</ref> Blakely secretly turned off TVs using [[TV-B-Gone]] remote controls, resulting in his being barred from CES 2008, and any future CES events.


===iPhone 4 prototype===
===iPhone 4 prototype===
In April 2010, ''Gizmodo'' came into possession of what was later known to be a prototype of the [[iPhone 4]] smartphone by Apple.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/technology/companies/20apple.html?hp|title=For Apple, Lost iPhone Is a Big Deal |date= April 19, 2010|access-date=April 22, 2010| work=The New York Times| first1=Miguel| last1=Helft| first2= Nick| last2=Bilton}}</ref> The site purchased the device for US$5,000 from Brian J. Hogan, who had found it unattended at a bar in Redwood City, California, a month earlier.<ref name="YN1">{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/ytech_gadg_tc1874 |title=Man who found&nbsp;— and sold&nbsp;— the missing iPhone unmasked |date=April 29, 2010 |work=Today in Tech |publisher=Yahoo News |access-date=May 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504011453/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/ytech_gadg_tc1874 |archive-date=May 4, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="CB1" /> UC Berkeley student Sage Robert, an acquaintance of Hogan, allegedly helped him sell the phone after failing to track down the owner. With Apple confirming its provenance, bloggers such as [[John Gruber]] and Ken Sweet speculated that this transaction may have violated the California Penal Code.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news| url= https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2010/apr/19/gizmodo-paid-iphone-4g |title=Gizmodo paid for iPhone 4G: so are they receivers of stolen goods? |last=Sweet|first=Ken |date=April 19, 2010 |work=Technology Blog|publisher=The Guardian |access-date=May 4, 2010 |location=London }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://daringfireball.net/linked/2010/04/20/legal-eh|title=Legal, Eh?|date=April 20, 2010|access-date=April 22, 2010}}</ref>
In April 2010, ''Gizmodo'' came into possession of what was later known to be a prototype of the [[iPhone 4]] smartphone by Apple.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/technology/companies/20apple.html?hp| title=For Apple, Lost iPhone Is a Big Deal| date=April 19, 2010| access-date=April 22, 2010| work=The New York Times| first1=Miguel| last1=Helft| first2=Nick| last2=Bilton| archive-date=February 4, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204140541/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/technology/companies/20apple.html?hp| url-status=live}}</ref> The site purchased the device for US$5,000 from Brian J. Hogan, who had found it unattended at a bar in Redwood City, California, a month earlier.<ref name="YN1">{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/ytech_gadg_tc1874 |title=Man who found&nbsp;— and sold&nbsp;— the missing iPhone unmasked |date=April 29, 2010 |work=Today in Tech |publisher=Yahoo News |access-date=May 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504011453/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/ytech_gadg_tc1874 |archive-date=May 4, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="CB1" /> UC Berkeley student Sage Robert, an acquaintance of Hogan, allegedly helped him sell the phone after failing to track down the owner. With Apple confirming its provenance, bloggers such as [[John Gruber]] and Ken Sweet speculated that this transaction may have violated the California Penal Code.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2010/apr/19/gizmodo-paid-iphone-4g |title=Gizmodo paid for iPhone 4G: so are they receivers of stolen goods? |last=Sweet |first=Ken |date=April 19, 2010 |work=Technology Blog |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=May 4, 2010 |location=London |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204140543/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2010/apr/19/gizmodo-paid-iphone-4g |url-status=live }}</ref>


On April 26, after ''Gizmodo'' returned the iPhone to Apple, upon Apple's request California's Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team executed a search warrant on editor Jason Chen's home and seized computers, hard drives, servers, cameras, notes, and a file of business cards, under direction from [[San Mateo County, California|San Mateo County]]’s Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.<ref name="CB1" >{{cite web| url=http://www.criminalbrief.com/?p=12019| title=The Fourth Estate, The Death of Journalism| last=Lundin| first= Leigh| date=May 2, 2010 | work= Newsworthy| publisher=Criminal Brief}}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite news| url= http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/26/police-seize-computers-from-gizmodo-editor/ |title= Police seize computers from Gizmodo editor |last=Sutter|first=John |date=April 26, 2010 |work= SciTechBlog |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 4, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="YN2">{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100426/ts_ynews/ynews_ts1791 |title=Silicon Valley cops raid Gizmodo editor's home, take four computers |last=Calderone |first=Michael |date=April 26, 2010 |work=The Newsroom |publisher=[[Yahoo]] News |access-date=May 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503042234/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100426/ts_ynews/ynews_ts1791 |archive-date=May 3, 2010 }}</ref> Since then, ''Gizmodo'' and the prosecution have agreed that a [[special master]] will review the contents of the items seized and determine if they contain relevant information.<ref name="CB2" >{{cite web| url=http://www.criminalbrief.com/?p=12607| title=Prosecutor in Search of a Crime?| last= Lundin |first= Leigh| date=June 13, 2010| work=Newsworthy| publisher=Criminal Brief}}</ref><ref name="reg1">{{cite web|last= Myslewski| first= Rik |title=Search begins on seized Gizmodo journo kit |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/04/gizmodo_editor_search_begins/ |work=Der Ring des Gizmodophonelungen |publisher=The Register |location=San Francisco, California |date=June 4, 2010 }}</ref> ''Gizmodo'' was since barred from Apple-hosted events and product launches until August 2014, when they were invited once again to Apple's September 2014 "Wish we could say more" event.<ref name="AppleInvite2014" >{{cite web| url=https://gizmodo.com/apples-iphone-event-will-be-sept-9th-1627957216 | title=Apple's iPhone Event Will Be Sept 9th (And We'll Be There)| date=August 28, 2014| work= Newsworthy| publisher=Gizmodo}}</ref>
On April 26, after ''Gizmodo'' returned the iPhone to Apple, upon Apple's request California's Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team executed a search warrant on editor Jason Chen's home and seized computers, hard drives, servers, cameras, notes, and a file of business cards, under direction from [[San Mateo County, California|San Mateo County]]’s Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.<ref name="CB1" >{{cite web| url=http://www.criminalbrief.com/?p=12019| title=The Fourth Estate, The Death of Journalism| last=Lundin| first=Leigh| date=May 2, 2010| work=Newsworthy| publisher=Criminal Brief| access-date=May 21, 2010| archive-date=February 4, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204140545/https://criminalbrief.com/?p=12019| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite news |url=http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/26/police-seize-computers-from-gizmodo-editor/ |title=Police seize computers from Gizmodo editor |last=Sutter |first=John |date=April 26, 2010 |work=SciTechBlog |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 4, 2010 |archive-date=May 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513032438/http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/26/police-seize-computers-from-gizmodo-editor/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="YN2">{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100426/ts_ynews/ynews_ts1791 |title=Silicon Valley cops raid Gizmodo editor's home, take four computers |last=Calderone |first=Michael |date=April 26, 2010 |work=The Newsroom |publisher=[[Yahoo]] News |access-date=May 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503042234/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100426/ts_ynews/ynews_ts1791 |archive-date=May 3, 2010 }}</ref> Since then, ''Gizmodo'' and the prosecution have agreed that a [[special master]] will review the contents of the items seized and determine if they contain relevant information.<ref name="CB2" >{{cite web| url=http://www.criminalbrief.com/?p=12607| title=Prosecutor in Search of a Crime?| last=Lundin| first=Leigh| date=June 13, 2010| work=Newsworthy| publisher=Criminal Brief| access-date=June 13, 2010| archive-date=February 4, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204140552/https://criminalbrief.com/?p=12607| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="reg1">{{cite web |last=Myslewski |first=Rik |title=Search begins on seized Gizmodo journo kit |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/04/gizmodo_editor_search_begins/ |work=Der Ring des Gizmodophonelungen |publisher=The Register |location=San Francisco, California |date=June 4, 2010 |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320070312/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/04/gizmodo_editor_search_begins/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Gizmodo'' was since barred from Apple-hosted events and product launches until August 2014, when they were invited once again to Apple's September 2014 "Wish we could say more" event.<ref name="AppleInvite2014" >{{cite web| url=https://gizmodo.com/apples-iphone-event-will-be-sept-9th-1627957216| title=Apple's iPhone Event Will Be Sept 9th (And We'll Be There)| date=August 28, 2014| work=Newsworthy| publisher=Gizmodo| access-date=September 9, 2017| archive-date=March 20, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320105446/https://gizmodo.com/apples-iphone-event-will-be-sept-9th-1627957216| url-status=live}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 03:09, 7 June 2024

Not to be confused with Gizmodo Media Group, of which Gizmodo is the former flagship website, nor Gizmondo, a handheld game console.

Gizmodo
Type of site
Design, technology, science, science fiction, blog
Available inEnglish, French, Dutch, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese
Country of originUnited States
OwnerKeleops Media
Created byPeter Rojas
EditorRory Carroll[1]
URLgizmodo.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedJuly 1, 2002; 21 years ago (2002-07-01)[2]

Gizmodo (/ɡɪzˈmoʊdoʊ/ giz-MOH-doh) is a design, technology, science, and science fiction website. It was originally launched as part of the Gawker Media network run by Nick Denton, and runs on the Kinja platform. Gizmodo also includes the sub-blogs io9 and Earther, which focus on pop-culture and environmentalism respectively.

Following the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Gawker Media, Univision purchased Gizmodo along with other Gawker websites in August 2016.[3] Then in 2019, Univision sold the Gizmodo Media Group, which included Gizmodo, to the private equity firm Great Hill Partners. From April 2019 to June 2024, Gizmodo was part of G/O Media.[4] The website was then purchased by the European digital media company Keleops Media in June 2024.[5][6]

History[edit]

Origins and Gawker Media[edit]

See also: Gawker Media § History

The blog, launched in 2002, was originally edited by Peter Rojas, who was later recruited by Weblogs, Inc. to launch their similar technology blog, Engadget.[7][8][9] By mid-2004, Gizmodo and Gawker together were bringing in revenue of approximately $6,500 per month.[10] In 2005, VNU Media and Gawker Media formed an alliance to republish Gizmodo across Europe, with VNU translating the content into French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, and adding local European-interest material.[11]

In February 2011, Gizmodo underwent a major redesign.[12] In 2013, Matt Novak moved his Paleofuture blog to Gizmodo from Smithsonian.[13]

In 2015, the Gawker blog io9 was merged into Gizmodo. The staff of io9 continued with Gizmodo and continued to post articles on subjects covered by the website, including science fiction, fantasy, futurism, science, technology and astronomy.[14]

Univision and G/O Media[edit]

See also: Gizmodo Media Group and G/O Media

Gizmodo was one of six websites that was purchased by Univision Communications in their acquisition of Gawker Media in August 2016.[3] Univision in turn sold Gizmodo and an array of sister websites to private equity firm Great Hill Partners in 2019; they combined the various former Gawker publications under the name of G/O Media.[4] In August 2021, David M. Ewalt became the editor-in-chief (EIC) of Gizmodo with Andrew Couts who was promoted to the executive editor;[15] Ewalt left in 2023 for The Messenger.[16] In January 2024, Rory Carroll was promoted from EIC of Jalopnik to group editor of both Jalopnik and Gizmodo.[1] Then in March 2024, Rose Pastore was promoted from Gizmodo's deputy editor to its executive editor.[1][17]

G/O Media's leadership, introduced after the purchase from Univision, was subject to frequent criticism by employees. Complaints include closer advertiser relationships, a lack of diversity, and suppression of reporting about the company itself.[18] The company also saw multiple disputes with the employee union GMG Union.[19][20][21] On June 29, 2023, G/O Media implemented a "modest test" of artificial intelligence-generated content on its websites, such as Gizmodo's io9. The move sparked backlash from GMG Union members, citing AI's track record of false statements and plagiarism from its training data, with basic errors in the generated content also attracting attention.[22][23]

Keleops Media[edit]

In June 2024, Gizmodo was purchased by the European digital media company Keleops Media.[5][6] This is the French company's "first U.S. acquisition" – Keleops "owns several French-language technology titles, including legacy brands 01net and Presse-citron".[24] Mark Stenberg of Adweek commented that "financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The entire Gizmodo staff will receive offer letters to stay with the company, and Keleops plans to expand the team in the near future".[24] Stenberg reported that, per Keleops CEO Jean-Guillaume Kleis, "the company has no immediate plans to change Gizmodo, either from a commercial or editorial perspective" and will instead "work with Gizmodo editor in chief Rory Carroll to discuss its forward-looking editorial plan and identify growth areas to support with investment".[24] Claudia Cohen of Le Figaro commented that "it is rare for a European media group to get its hands on an American player, who is also specialized in the field of tech" – Kleis told the French newspaper that they "paid the price to enter the American market through a good door".[25]

Associated outlets[edit]

International[edit]

Gizmodo launched associated outlets in various international markets:

  • In 2006, Gizmodo Japan was launched by Mediagene.[26][27]
  • In September 2011, Gizmodo UK was launched with Future, to cover British news.[37] Gizmodo UK was later shut down in September 2020,[38] with all web links redirecting to Gizmodo.com.

Sub-blogs[edit]

Gizmodo contains two sub-blogs as part of the wider site:

io9[edit]

Main article: io9

io9 is a science fiction and fantasy pop-culture focused sub-blog which was launched as a standalone blog in 2008 by then editor Annalee Newitz under Gawker Media,[39] before being folded under Gizmodo in 2015 as part of a reorganization under parent company Gawker.[40] In 2021, James Whitbrook replaced Jill Pantozzi as the site's deputy editor.[41]

Earther[edit]

Earther logo used from 2017 to 2023.

Earther is an environmental news sub-blog which was launched in September 2017.[42] Earther launched with the mission to chronicle three main topics: "The future of Earth," "The future of humans on Earth," and "The future of life on Earth."[43] Founding managing editor Maddie Stone said that the site was created because it "felt like a salient and important time to create a destination for environmental news where folks can go to read up on the latest studies, but also hear the latest news about how natural disasters are affecting people, the big important environmental policies being raised around the world, and some of the biggest conservation stories."[42]

During its lifetime, former Earther journalists Yessenia Funues, Brian Kahn, and Molly Taft won SEAL Awards for their environmental reporting. [44][45][46]

As of broader G/O Media layoffs in November 2023 the last member of the sub-blog, Angely Mercado, was laid off meaning there are currently no staff listed as working for the sub-blog.[47][48][49]

Controversy[edit]

TV-B-Gone[edit]

Richard Blakeley, a videographer for Gizmodo's publisher, Gawker Media, disrupted several presentations held at CES in 2008.[50][51] Blakely secretly turned off TVs using TV-B-Gone remote controls, resulting in his being barred from CES 2008, and any future CES events.

iPhone 4 prototype[edit]

In April 2010, Gizmodo came into possession of what was later known to be a prototype of the iPhone 4 smartphone by Apple.[52] The site purchased the device for US$5,000 from Brian J. Hogan, who had found it unattended at a bar in Redwood City, California, a month earlier.[53][54] UC Berkeley student Sage Robert, an acquaintance of Hogan, allegedly helped him sell the phone after failing to track down the owner. With Apple confirming its provenance, bloggers such as John Gruber and Ken Sweet speculated that this transaction may have violated the California Penal Code.[55]

On April 26, after Gizmodo returned the iPhone to Apple, upon Apple's request California's Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team executed a search warrant on editor Jason Chen's home and seized computers, hard drives, servers, cameras, notes, and a file of business cards, under direction from San Mateo County’s Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.[54][56][57] Since then, Gizmodo and the prosecution have agreed that a special master will review the contents of the items seized and determine if they contain relevant information.[58][59] Gizmodo was since barred from Apple-hosted events and product launches until August 2014, when they were invited once again to Apple's September 2014 "Wish we could say more" event.[60]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Roush, Chris (January 8, 2024). "Carroll takes on Gizmodo in addition to Jalopnik". Talking Biz News. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "Gizmodo.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info – DomainTools". WHOIS. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Calderone, Michael (August 18, 2016). "Gawker.com Ending Operations Next Week". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Hayes, Dade (April 8, 2019). "Univision Finalizes Sale Of Former Gawker Portfolio And The Onion To Private Equity Firm Great Hill Partners". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Baragona, Justin (June 4, 2024). "G/O Media Sells Off Gizmodo". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Robertson, Katie (June 4, 2024). "Gizmodo Sold to European Media Company". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  7. ^ Gillin, Paul (2007). "Influencer Profile: The Gadget King". The New Influencers: A Marketer’s Guide to the New Social Media. Linden Publishing. pp. 57–61. ISBN 9781610351102.
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  10. ^ Greg Lindsay (June 1, 2004). "What Makes Nick Tick? The smartest publisher in the blogosphere says there's no money online. So why doesn't anyone believe him?". Business 2.0. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
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  49. ^ Just got laid off from G/O with 20+ staffers (before xmas). I am going to miss my colleagues and am forever grateful that I got to work alongside so many talented people as the last Earthling at @Gizmodo. If you need a climate/science writer or fact-checker, shoot me a DM <3 Archived December 22, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
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  55. ^ Sweet, Ken (April 19, 2010). "Gizmodo paid for iPhone 4G: so are they receivers of stolen goods?". Technology Blog. London: The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
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  58. ^ Lundin, Leigh (June 13, 2010). "Prosecutor in Search of a Crime?". Newsworthy. Criminal Brief. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  59. ^ Myslewski, Rik (June 4, 2010). "Search begins on seized Gizmodo journo kit". Der Ring des Gizmodophonelungen. San Francisco, California: The Register. Archived from the original on March 20, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  60. ^ "Apple's iPhone Event Will Be Sept 9th (And We'll Be There)". Newsworthy. Gizmodo. August 28, 2014. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2017.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gizmodo.
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