Daily Tech News Digest – 2026-09-03

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

BBC Technology

• Watch: BBC travels in self-driving Uber around London
  The BBC's Zoe Kleinman takes a ride on Uber's self-driving robotaxi as the service rolls out on Thursday.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:20:23 GMT
• Uber launches UK's first robotaxis with a driver - here's what it's like to ride in one
  The ride-hailing app has launched 15 self-driving taxis, but they will have safety drivers inside.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:36:49 GMT
• Uber to cut over 3,000 jobs in major global restructuring
  The company says cutting roles would make its operations "simpler and faster".
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:51:49 GMT
• Lords call for AI 'kill switch' powers in UK
  Its backers say it would provide a "vital safety net" against runaway AI systems such as those from OpenAI and Anthropic.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:41:52 GMT

TechRadar Tech

• California lawmakers approve plug-in solar bill— as authorities promise potential savings of up to $450 a year
  California is the latest state in the US to approve the use of plug-in solar kits for residents to use at home.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:14:11 +0000
• Microsoft wants to make Windows 11 'secure by default' — but some gamers are up in arms about this security feature that 'wrecks' their frame rates
  Some gamers are up in arms, while others believe that this security feature is a must-have for keeping their PC safe.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:12:32 +0000
• I just saw Hisense’s world-first 3D micro-LED TV, and it looks incredible — this could finally solve 3D TV’s biggest problem
  I didn't expect 3D and micro-LED to be a perfect pair, but in retrospect, it was obvious.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:00:04 +0000
• DJI's Osmo 360 II fixes its predecessor's flaws, and remains much more affordable than Insta360
  A year after its debut 360 camera, DJI's follow-up fixes that model's lens and waterproofing issues, adds native 8K/60fps video, and keeps pricing well below that of the rival Insta360 X6.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:40:27 +0000
• Only one in five UK CEOs say their cyber insurance will cover the full cost of a cyberattack
  New data has revealed that only one in five CEOs expect full coverage from their cyber insurance policy.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:25:00 +0000
• 'Quicker, more reliable and more fun': The Munbyn RW403B is the best shipping label printer we've tested — and it just got a big price cut
  In our tests, we found Munbyn's thermal label printer "makes light work of labelling", and it's our top choice for ecommerce and small business use.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:16:22 +0000
• Launching a business in 2026? Use these 7 AI tools
  A practical look at seven AI tools solopreneurs and small business owners can use in 2026, plus what to watch out for before you sign up.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:13:59 +0000
• When content is free, trust is the product
  There is more technical content available today than any human being could read in a thousand lifetimes. And yet most of the professionals I talk to say they don't know what to trust.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:12:00 +0000
• Get powerful and flexible scheduling for as little as $16 per month
  Acuity Scheduling manages appointments and payments for as little as $16 per month
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:09:40 +0000
• 2.8 million people affected by data breach at Baylor Genetics testing and diagnostic firm
  Business continued as usual, although employees and patients lost plenty of sensitive data in the incident.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:05:00 +0000
• How to watch The Grand Tour season 7 online from anywhere
  Here's how to watch The Grand Tour season 7 online from anywhere as James Engelsman, Thomas Holland and Francis Bourgeois take over from Jeremy Clarkson & Co.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000
• Vodafone TV is a streamer and cloud gaming console all in one, and it’s launching soon as a Sky rival
  Vodafone TV is a streaming service and set top box that combines access to loads of streaming apps with a cloud gaming platform.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:46:37 +0000
• Sony WH-1000XM5 tumble to record-low price at Amazon — here's why our experts recommend these 'class-leading' headphones
  Looking for your next pair of headphones? The Sony WH-1000XM5 are easily some of the best on the market — especially at this price.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:40:01 +0000
• Our favorite Herman Miller standing desk gets a 25% price cut as the company launches a massive Fall Sale
  Scoring 4.5 stars in our review, the Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk has a 25% discount right now in the Fall Sale for this this executive home office upgrade.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:34:55 +0000
• Security policy is critical infrastructure
  An essential system is one whose failure would cause intolerable harm to customers, markets, or public safety.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:28:07 +0000
• One of our favorite power bank makers just unveiled super-cheap ANC earbuds — and after an early listen, we like 'em
  The new Belkin SoundForm Isolate and Dots buds offer ANC, some noteworthy features and tongue-twister names at a super-low price.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:13:55 +0000
• Lords call for a 'kill switch' on powerful AI systems used in the United Kingdom
  They believe the UK needs a "vital safety net" to only be used as a last resort.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:10:53 +0000
• How to launch a website in a day with just $13
  Learn how to launch a working website in a day for the price of a breakfast sandwich. Using a GitHub account, free vibe coding tools, and a custom domain.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:10:26 +0000
• ‘I find it very uncomfortable’: Sam Altman explains why he doesn’t like talking to people wearing camera-equipped smart glasses — and it could be a big clue about Jony Ive’s AI device
  Sam Altman’s discomfort with smart glasses may be the clearest clue to what Jony Ive’s OpenAI hardware will look like.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:57:08 +0000
• Getting AI right requires more than a technology shift - it requires a mindset shift
  Why successful AI adoption requires organizations to shift their mindset by embedding governance, accountability and cross-functional responsibility alongside technological innovation from the outset.
  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:55:47 +0000

Ars Technica Technology

• Spending deal comes with a bonus: Blocking political control of grants
  Congress pauses the OMB's attempt to rewrite how research is funded.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 21:20:03 +0000
• I rented a car, and within hours, my driver's license was for sale
  The FBI is reportedly investigating a massive data breach that is unfolding in real time.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:32:02 +0000
• FCC plans robocall scorecard to grade phone companies on spam call blocking
  Carrier scorecards may include call-blocking stats and data on customer complaints.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:54:27 +0000
• Wary of Artemis IV timeline, NASA is changing lunar spacesuit design
  "Requirements are being adjusted to reflect near-term mission needs."
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:37:08 +0000
• Google releases Gemini 3.8 Flash, its third Flash model in six weeks
  Google's Pro model updates are seemingly paused, but there's yet another Gemini Flash today.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:13:54 +0000
• Trump may be forced to reveal secret rules feds use for AI safety testing
  Trump’s secret reviews of frontier AI models may hide corruption, lawsuit says.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:58:33 +0000
• US court rules Google will not have to sell ad exchange after losing antitrust case
  The DOJ proved to the court that Google acted illegally, but it won't get the big win it wanted.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:30:11 +0000
• Toyohiro Akiyama, first Japanese citizen and journalist in space, dies at 84
  He reported from space that only "fat" Japanese tree frogs enjoyed weightlessness.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:47:42 +0000
• The Army just used a 20-kilowatt laser to take out three drones
  The Army says its laser system can track and destroy hostile drones.
  Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:04:59 +0000

— Auto-generated digest