Year In Search 2018
The year has nearly come to an end. Before you put 2018 behind you completely, take a look back at the events that shaped it through Google's most searched topics.
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Rooftop Skiing in France
Some people start their day off with a jog, others shred the rooftops of France. Richard Permin is the latter. In this sport short, the ski pro shares his morning routine gliding and flipping across the powder-coated rooftops of Avoriaz 1800.
Home Alone Games with Macaulay Culkin
Home Alone has entered the cultural lexicon as a holiday classic, but the same can't be said for the franchise of games spawned by the movie. Angry video game nerd James Rolfe already cost himself a few brain cells reviewing both of the NES games, but a chance knock on the door reveals an unexpected guest — with every Home Alone game on a variety of systems, from the Gameboy to the 2006 Europe-only Playstation 2 version.
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Nike Back to School Collection
The return to routine deserves a wardrobe that can keep pace. Nike's Back to School Collection is built for wherever the season takes you. The Nike Par ADV Golf Jacket delivers weather-ready protection from the first tee to rainy commutes, while the Nike Club Wool Varsity Jacket brings timeless athletic style into cooler evenings. Heading beyond the pavement, the ACG "Misery Ridge" GORE-TEX Jacket is ready for changing mountain conditions. Complete the look with vintage icons like the Air Jordan 4 Retro or lace up the Nike Alphafly 3 when it's time to chase your next personal best. Whether you're heading back to campus, back to the office, or simply back into your routine, Nike's latest collection is built for the season ahead.
Presented by Nike.
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CleanMyMac
The Sunday reset shouldn't stop at the desk, and CleanMyMac makes it easy to extend the ritual to the device that runs the rest of your week. Built around eight cleanup and optimization modules, the Mac utility can clear forgotten downloads, duplicate screenshots, outdated caches, old files, and unused applications, while also checking for malware, managing background processes, and freeing up storage and memory. Smart Care provides the simplest entry point, scanning across the system and surfacing what needs attention in a few clicks, while deeper tools let you fine-tune performance and protection. It's less a tech chore than a recurring digital reset, leaving your Mac cleaner, lighter, and ready for Monday.
Presented by MacPaw.
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Ready Player One VFX
Ready Player One was a box office hit in 2018, with director Steven Spielberg taking Ernest Cline's 2011 novel of future nostalgia to the big screen. The visual effects-heavy film used the latest in computer animation to completely recreate the cast as avatars in a living virtual reality world, along with futuristic cityscapes and scenes from classic movies. Industrial Light and Magic takes you behind the scenes to see how Ready Player One's digital world was created.
Every Spider-Man Explained
Spider-Man has long history on the screen. From the 1967 animated series to blockbuster big-screen films, the character has been successful on both the page and the screen. Comic superfan Kevin Smith sat down with WIRED to go over all of Spider-Man's history of appearances onscreen from the late 70s to the present.
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Brexit
Benedict Cumberbatch transforms into Dominic Cummings for HBO's retelling of Brexit. Based on the actual events, the film follows the leader of the Vote Leave campaign and the efforts used to push the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union. It premieres January 19, 2019.
DIY SpaceX Rockets
No longer the sole province of huge government organizations or private defense companies, getting into space is being revolutionized by private companies. SpaceX is leading the charge with their reusable rockets, but in a sign of how far technology can filter down, Joe Barnard is building his own — albeit on a smaller scale. While Joe hasn't successfully landed a rocket yet, he's getting closer every day, along with learning a lot in the process.
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Webroot Total Protection
As the school year ramps up, so does time spent online, making back-to-school season a natural time to refresh your digital security. Webroot offers flexible protection for computers, phones, and tablets, with standalone options or multi-device bundles covering everything from suspicious links and malware to network monitoring and password management. Built to work quietly in the background, Webroot uses less device space and installs and scans quickly, helping keep everyday browsing, homework, and family routines running smoothly without unnecessary interruptions. With plans for one, three, or five devices and savings of up to 40%, it's a straightforward way to add a little more peace of mind to the new school year.
Presented by Webroot.
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Kenneth Cole Sandals
Kenneth Cole's latest men's sandal collection is proof that summer footwear can be both polished and practical. The lineup pairs premium leather uppers with cushioned insoles and flexible arch support, creating sandals built for everything from weekend errands to vacation getaways. Styles like the Worly and Willy offer classic thong silhouettes with elevated finishes, while the Wassen introduces a modern two-tone look and the Wooper delivers a refined leather slide that works just as well with linen trousers as it does with shorts. Comfortable enough for all-day wear and versatile enough for nearly any warm-weather outfit, these are the kind of sandals that earn a permanent place in your summer rotation.
Presented by Kenneth Cole.
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The Art Deco Treasures of Shanghai
Shanghai is known for is modern towers but if you look below its skyline, there's a wealth of Art Deco treasures. Defined by its geometric forms and gold accents, the architectural style rose to fame in the 1930s and was the epitome of glamor and luxury. Take a tour of two of the city's most notorious Art Deco buildings, the Grand Theatre and the Paramount.
Beer Taste Test
Although we all might think we're beer experts, Garrett Oliver actually is. While sampling a variety of pilsners, IPAs, and dark Lagers, the Brooklyn brewmaster uses his particular set of skills the decipher between cheap brews and the expensive stuff.
