Articles by David Nield, Freelance Contributor

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

Articles by: David Nield

Cathay Pacific tests Google AI that dramatically cuts airplane contrails — tiny altitude shifts slash environmental impact by 40% in early trials

By David Nield Published 8 September 26

Google is expanding its AI-driven contrail reduction project to a new part of the world.

Flock's AI search tool for police officers has been reverse engineered — here's what it shows

By David Nield Published 6 September 26

Wired has managed to uncover some of the details about how search works for police officers using Flock.

3 Comments

Researchers report on a solar storm that caused a GPS glitch serious enough to crash self-driving cars

By David Nield Published 5 September 26

The solar storm that hit Earth last November was more severe than most, and we need to be prepared for the next one.

Plug-in solar shone at IFA 2026 — here are the 5 best products we saw, from Anker to DJI and EcoFlow

By David Nield Published 5 September 26

Plug-in solar is becoming easier to access across the world, and these batteries are certainly going to help.

4 Comments

ICYMI: the 7 biggest tech stories of the week, from the best gadgets of IFA 2026 to GPT-6 Astra and 'the AGI era'

By David Nield Published 5 September 26

We're looking back over the last week to pick out the most important stories published on TechRadar.

Lexar Muse claims world's thinnest portable SSD title at 3.8mm thick — but it swaps USB-C for a bespoke magnetic connector

By David Nield Published 4 September 26

The Lexar Muse takes a different approach to SSD storage, though the custom connector may not suit everyone.

Google Gemini error leaves California climbers stranded — Mount Shasta climbers admit ‘we relied too much on AI' after ascent went horribly wrong

By David Nield Published 4 September 26

Many of us are relying more and more on AI for answers, but it's always worth double-checking.

Anker's 'personal fabric printer' will let you print customs designs on t-shirts and bags — new 'Direct-to-Garment' printing looks perfect for your side hustles

By David Nield Published 3 September 26

Anker's latest printer, which is being previewed at IFA 2026, lets you print your designs on fabric or film.

A balcony solar panel next to a man with a solar panel under his arm

California lawmakers approve plug-in solar bill — as authorities promise potential savings of up to $450 a year

By David Nield Published 3 September 26

California is the latest state in the US to approve the use of plug-in solar kits for residents to use at home.

A hand holding a phone showing the IKEA app next to an IKEA Liljebagge smart thermostat on a radiator

IKEA launches its first smart radiator thermostat, with Matter support and an impressively affordable price

By David Nield Published 2 September 26

There's another IKEA smart home product to check out, and this one helps you manage temperatures at home.

The Flock backlash continues as Florida and Texas reveal camera cutbacks — with state authorities calling out 'reports of misuse' and 'data privacy concerns'

By David Nield Published 2 September 26

Two more states are scaling back their use of Flock cameras, over concerns about how the tech can be misused.

This phone accessory spots hidden cameras in 5 seconds — SweepLED prototype uses LED reflections and could cost only $7

By David Nield Published 1 September 26

SweepLED is cheap, accurate, and easy to use, and it can spot hidden cameras that other detectors can't.

Former DJI engineers have made 'the world's first robotic extreme zoom camera' — it features a 50x zoom, AI tracking and can identify 300+ bird species

By David Nield Published 1 September 26

Keeping your subjects in the frame and focused even at long distances. Oh, and it identifies bird species too.

Microsoft is finally going to stop nagging you to back up your files to OneDrive in Windows 11

By David Nield Published 31 August 26

Not into OneDrive backups? You can now permanently dismiss the nagging reminder and get some peace.

2 Comments

Google Maps on a phone being held in someone's hand

'Beyond ridiculous': if you're seeing Lake Ontario renamed as Lake America on Google Maps, here's why

By David Nield Published 31 August 26

After an executive order from the White House, Google Maps is relabeling the Great Lake in its apps.

5 Comments

The philips hue app next to nanoleaf shapes

It's (almost) official: you'll soon be able to add your Nanoleaf lights to a Philips Hue system, as a support page briefly appears online

By David Nield Published 30 August 26

We've got another indication that a previously rumored link-up between Philips Hue and Nanoleaf is happening.

A Unigrid sodium-ion battery on a factory floor

Major sodium-ion battery milestone passed by California startup — Unigrid aces Hyundai’s safety tests down to -20C as experts call tech a 'compelling alternative' to lithium-ion

By David Nield Published 30 August 26

Sodium-ion battery technology promises to improve on lithium-ion in numerous areas, though challenges remain.

'Ted Lasso reruns aren't worth it': Apple TV prices are going up again, and a lot of viewers say they've had enough

By David Nield Published 29 August 26

Apple has pushed up the prices for Apple TV in the US and selected other countries, the fourth increase in four years.

3 Comments

The bottom left corner of an Android phone, showing the Phone, Messages, Google icons and Google Search bar

'I am so done with this': Google Messages bug that's driving users crazy is finally acknowledged by Google

By David Nield Published 28 August 26

A significant number of users are having trouble getting their group chats to behave in Google Messages.

Raspberry Pi shares how to build your own 'cyberdeck' computer inside a waterproof briefcase — and it'll only cost you $250

By David Nield Published 26 August 26

A guide to putting together a fully working Pi computer you can pick up and take anywhere.

Garmin Fenix 9 revealed — here are 5 things you need to know about the new flagship smartwatches

By David Nield Published 25 August 26

Meet the Garmin Fenix 9 and the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro, which bring significant upgrades to the Fenix line.

Nokia’s latest retro feature phone comes with a super-bright flashlight and built-in power bank — and yes, there’s a headphone jack too

By David Nield Published 25 August 26

There's lots to like about the Nokia 300 Charge, including a power bank mode and expandable storage.

5 Comments

Robots have smashed human world records for the 100m sprint and high jump at China’s ‘robot Olympics’ — but the biggest hurdle is stopping safely

By David Nield Published 24 August 26

The second World Humanoid Robot Games have got underway in China, and records are falling.

ChatGPT might soon let you lock your most sensitive chats behind a PIN or fingerprint scan, hidden code suggests

By David Nield Published 23 August 26

There are signs in the latest version of the ChatGPT Android app that the AI assistant will soon offer an extra security feature.

Portable wind turbines are riding the DIY energy boom — Ventyra R1 smashes Kickstarter goal by 90x, promising 35-minute phone charges

By David Nield Published 23 August 26

There's a new alternative, off-grid power solution available for your consideration, with early bid offers now available.

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