Daily Tech News Digest – 2026-05-09

Top tech headlines from BBC Technology, TechRadar and Ars Technica in the last 24 hours.

BBC Technology

• How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy
  Molecules that can capture heat could be a useful technology to decarbonise heating.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 08:28:23 GMT
• Tech Now
  Andrew Rogers explores new tech trials helping people stay underwater for longer.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

TechRadar Tech

• I use Google Keep every day — and this leaked upgrade is badly needed. Here's why
  There's already a lot to like about Google Keep, and the ability to add notes from the Android lock screen is rumored to be on the way.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 11:30:00 +0000
• 21 smart storage ideas from IKEA will make your home office seem twice as big — with no remodelling
  Make the most of your office with clever solutions like add-on shelving for your desk, hidden cable tidies, smart drawer units, and multi-function pegboards.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000
• Travelling back from Asia? Surfshark warns against the silent data collection of the most popular local travel apps
  Surfshark’s latest research reveals that the most popular travel apps in Asia are real data hoarders
  Sat, 09 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000
• ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Apple's iPhone AI payout to Google's all-new Fitbit
  Here's the biggest tech news from Apple, Nintendo, Google, and more for May 9, 2026.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000
• Newegg's best-selling gaming PC features an RTX 5060, is 'AI Ready', and clocks in at just $899 — is it actually worth buying though?
  Before you buy Newegg's #1 best-selling gaming PC - consider these two other options.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000
• Looking for your first running watch? These are the budget fitness bands and watches we'd recommend to get you on the right track
  Some simple stats can go a long way to helping you find your running groove.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 08:50:00 +0000
• How to watch Sporza from anywhere – stream football, tennis and cycling outside Belgium for *FREE*
  Here's how to watch Sporza from outside Belgium, and learn how to access streams from anywhere abroad with a VPN.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000
• Crunchyroll slashes prices for its 'Ani-May' celebrations — get three months of membership from as little as $$1.99 / £1.49 per month
  Crunchyroll memberships start at just $1.99/£1.49 for a limited time as part of the streaming service's Ani-May celebration.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 07:55:00 +0000
• FlexiSpot C7 Morpher review: An office chair that blends into every other, but perhaps that's the point
  The Flexispot C7 Morpher is a chair that combines quality materials and surprisingly good ergonomic adjustment. Nothing too flashy, nothing too loud, just a surprisingly comfortable seat for hard work done right.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 06:20:00 +0000
• I spent weeks testing the TCL QM8L TV, and I'm a believer in its new SQD mini-LED technology — this is a stunning TV for a great price, with just a couple of notable quirks
  The TCL QM8L Series is an impressive TV in person with Google Gemini-powered hands-free control and a bright screen. Cinephiles might take issue with its less-than-accurate colors.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 01:00:00 +0000
• 'It’s real proof that the company wants to be more than a "Temu Tesla". It wants to usurp it’ — I’ve driven the new Xpeng G6 and it's more of a Tesla rival than ever, but it’s not perfect yet
  In less than a year, Xpeng updated its Tesla-rivaling G6 model with over 20,000 incremental developments and I’ve driven it
  Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000
• Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, May 9 (game #1566)
  Looking for Quordle clues? We can help. Plus get the answers to Quordle today and past solutions.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000
• NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, May 9 (game #1063)
  Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000
• NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, May 9 (game #797)
  Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000
• I tried the lossless audio test and couldn't believe my ears. Can you really tell the difference between lossless audio and plain old MP3 versions of your favorite tunes?
  At higher bitrates it's hard to tell the difference between lossy and lossless
  Fri, 08 May 2026 22:30:00 +0000
• Fuelled by AI, Micron's $50 billion chip factory in Idaho will use billions of litres of water every year — but the US tech giant stays silent on where that new water will come from
  Micron’s Idaho expansion will sharply increase water use, raising concerns over sourcing, transparency, and long-term sustainability in a desert region
  Fri, 08 May 2026 22:15:00 +0000
• ChatGPT now lets you nominate a Trusted Contact who gets alerted if your interaction with AI 'indicates a serious safety concern'
  On top of its existing safety systems, ChatGPT is giving users the option to designate a trusted adult to reach out to.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 22:00:00 +0000
• A solution to our data center woes? Covering California’s canals with solar panels could generate a staggering 13GW of clean energy and save enough water for two million people — so why the opposition?
  California canal solar projects could generate significant power and save water, though high costs and environmental uncertainties complicate large-scale deployment decisions
  Fri, 08 May 2026 21:05:00 +0000
• The Dell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub monitor is the kind of display I always wished was possible, and now it's in my office
  This might just be the best screen on the market right now — but only if you like having a 6K TV as a monitor.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 20:20:00 +0000
• Amazon is slashing prices of best-selling women's running shoes from Nike, Saucony, Brooks, Asics and more — here are 28 deals you should make a sprint for
  Training shoes for every kind of runner, from beginner to expert, with up to 40% off.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Ars Technica Technology

• The new Wild West of AI kids’ toys
  These connected companions could disrupt everything from make-believe to bedtime stories. No wonder some lawmakers want them banned.
  Sat, 09 May 2026 11:00:51 +0000
• Manufacturing qubits that can move
  It's hard to mix electronic manufacturing and flexible geometry.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 23:13:57 +0000
• Trump reportedly plans to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
  The plan isn't final and could change, but his ouster would be no surprise.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 22:10:58 +0000
• ABC refuses to capitulate to Trump admin, fights FCC probe into The View
  FCC chair hasn't been able to bully ABC and owner Disney into submission.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 21:08:42 +0000
• Sony says "efficient" AI tools will lead to even more games flooding the market
  But human artists still "must remain at the center," PlayStation maker says.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 20:51:17 +0000
• The unprecedented and deadly cruise ship hantavirus outbreak, explained
  "This is not COVID," and other reasons why risk to the public is currently low.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 20:42:35 +0000
• Course correction: Google to link more sources in AI Overviews
  Google's AI search will start citing its sources in several new ways.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 19:43:47 +0000
• Court rules Trump's 10% tariff is just as illegal as the tariff it replaced
  Trump's vow to impose tariffs a "different way" already has the tech industry on edge.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 19:25:30 +0000
• Chaos erupts as cyberattack disrupts learning platform Canvas amid finals
  Across the country, schools and colleges postpone year-end tests.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 18:33:48 +0000
• Elon Musk faces criminal probe in France after ignoring summons in X case
  France threatens criminal charges if Musk doesn't appear for questioning.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 17:32:58 +0000
• Chrome's 4GB AI model isn't new, but you're not wrong for being confused
  You can stop Chrome from taking up 4GB of storage for local AI, but that shouldn't be your problem.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 17:17:17 +0000
• Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab make a breakthrough in rotor technology
  Testing shows rotor blades won't disintegrate when they spin at supersonic speed.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 15:46:27 +0000
• DNA identifies four more crew members of doomed Franklin expedition
  Three served on the HMS Erebus; the fourth was Petty Officer Harry Peglar of the HMS Terror.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 15:15:21 +0000
• Which Macs are suffering from shortages—and where are things getting worse?
  There are a couple signs of strain beyond the MacBook Neo and the desktops.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 15:00:27 +0000
• How climate change makes your allergies worse
  As pollen season worsens, allergies compound with other climate health hazards.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 14:23:23 +0000
• The Nintendo Switch 2 is getting more expensive later this year
  "Changes in market conditions" lead to $50 price bump on Sept. 1.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 14:11:27 +0000
• The US military just released a bunch of UAP files, but there's no there there
  Here at Ars Technica, we do not preclude the possibility that aliens have visited Earth.
  Fri, 08 May 2026 13:59:54 +0000

— Auto-generated digest