Thanks to upgrades in fishing technology and recording equipment, fishing could represent the next frontier for content creation. It can be presented in shortform or longform, meaning that creators can appeal to a wide audience.

Fishing Content Is Huge in the Entertainment Market

Content creators often turn to what’s worked well in the mainstream entertainment market, and that’s why many people will be inspired to create videos around fishing. The pastime is everywhere in popular culture, from gaming to television.

The iGaming market is one of the best indicators of what’s hot in popular culture, and fishing is a leading genre in slots. For instance, the Fishin’ Frenzy Gold Spins game is one of the latest in that franchise, and it joins other angling offerings such as the Big Bass series. There are also various fishing simulator games for other platforms, such as Real VR Fishing and Fishing Planet.

On television, Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing has been one of the biggest surprise hits of the decade. The series follows Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse in some incredible country settings. The main aim is to catch fish, but they also reflect on life and crack jokes. It’s a relaxing experience for viewers, and one that content creators can easily replicate.

Content Creators Have Access to Great Technology

A key reason why more people are starting to get into fishing content creation is that you no longer need a film crew to create great videos. People can easily set up their GoPro cameras on tripods, capturing different aspects of the angling experience. It’s easier to get internet connections in the countryside now too, meaning that it’s possible to produce live content.

On top of these updates, there’s also a lot of fishing tech that can make the viewing experience more enjoyable. There are various action cameras available that can be mounted on different pieces of kit to give diverse viewpoints. It’s also possible to get waterproof microphones and cameras to capture the goings-on underwater. On top of that, drones can add some professional high shots to show the landscape in all its glory.

Can Work as Longform or Shortform Content

Another great thing about fishing is its versatility, and the way it can be used for different content creation purposes. For people who want to make TikTok-style shortform clips, it’s possible to do so with moments such as a big catch or a funny fishing mistake.

These short videos could complement longer content, and act as a way to get people to check out more videos from the same creator. As fishing television programmes have shown, longform fishing content that involves conversation and scenery can work well too.

Fishing has all the ingredients to become an even bigger content creation category than it already is. It can offer relaxation, excitement, and a taste of nature. On top of that, it can be enjoyed in different formats, meaning that it can appeal to a broad range of people.

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Electric vehicle (EV) sales are surging across the UK and Europe, driven by a dramatic rise in petrol prices and the highly anticipated arrival of genuinely affordable models.

According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest annual stocktake, battery EV sales rose by more than 25% in the UK last year, maintaining that momentum into the first quarter of 2026.

This growth means one in three new cars on British roads is now battery-powered, allowing the UK market to outpace China, where sales growth slowed to under 20% after Beijing tightened buyers’ subsidies and reintroduced a purchase tax.

This upward trajectory has been supercharged in recent weeks across the continent. Data exclusively shared with Reuters reveals that European EV registrations leapt by 34% year-on-year in April alone, spanning 16 key markets.

The sudden boom is directly linked to an upsurge in international oil prices, which have spiked well above $100 a barrel following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran at the end of February.

The resulting energy supply disruptions have sent petrol pump prices soaring, transforming consumer calculations. Industry experts note that the conflict has shifted European mindsets from a casual interest in electrification to an immediate financial necessity, resulting in a dramatic rise in search queries and orders for both new and used EVs.

While high fuel costs are pushing drivers away from internal combustion engines (ICE), the market is poised to undergo a further revolution through cheaper on the road costs for EVs. 

Yesterday, Škoda officially took the wraps off its highly anticipated Epiq electric city SUV crossover at a major global debut event at the Umwelt Arena in Zurich – an exclusive launch to which Tech Digest was invited.

Starting at a groundbreaking £24,950 on-the-road (OTR), the compact crossover represents the cheapest EV Škoda has ever launched. Crucially, the sub-£25,000 Epiq achieves direct price parity with its conventional ICE stablemate, the Škoda Kamiq, completely eliminating the traditional “EV premium” that has long deterred mainstream buyers.

The arrival of such cost-competitive options comes at a vital time for automakers. In the UK, despite the strong growth, zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) made up just 23% of sales last year, falling short of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s 28% net-zero target.

Under current ZEV rules, manufacturers face steep fines of £12,000 per vehicle short of the target, which escalates to 33% this year. The introduction of affordable, mass-market models like the Epiq, alongside existing government subsidies for ZEVs under £37,000, could provide the exact catalyst needed to bridge the gap and sustain Europe’s electric momentum.

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Škoda has officially taken the wraps off its highly anticipated Epiq electric city SUV crossover at a major launch event at the Umwelt Arena in Zurich.

Attended by Tech Digest, the global debut marks a significant milestone for the Czech manufacturer as it aggressively expands its electric vehicle lineup into the high-volume, affordable compact segment.

The headline news surrounding the Škoda Epiq is the price. Starting at just £24,950 on-the-road (OTR), the Epiq represents the cheapest electric vehicle Škoda has ever launched to date.

Crucially, this entry-level price point achieves direct price parity with its internal combustion engine (ICE) stablemate, the Škoda Kamiq, eliminating the traditional “EV premium” that has long acted as a barrier for mainstream buyers.

Despite its entry-level positioning, Škoda has prioritised performance and charging capability near the top of the specification sheet. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s new front-wheel-drive MEB+ platform, the crossover offers two battery capacities.

The entry-level Epiq 40 features a 37.5kWh net lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, delivering a WLTP driving range of roughly 190 miles. For those requiring longer-distance capability, the range-topping Epiq 55 utilizes a 51.5kWh net nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack that boosts the vehicle’s driving range up to 272 miles on a single charge.

Charging times are equally competitive. The Epiq 55 supports rapid DC charging speeds of up to 105kW, enabling both battery variants to complete a 10% to 80% state-of-charge top-up in under 25 minutes. Furthermore, the vehicle introduces advanced bi-directional charging capabilities, allowing owners to use the car’s battery to power external devices, or feed electricity back into a home or the National Grid.

Advanced cabin technology

Inside, the compact SUV punches above its weight class in terms of digital integration and entertainment. The focal point of the minimalist, “Modern Solid” cabin design is an Android-based infotainment system routed through a 13-inch central touchscreen. This setup offers deep personalisation options, permanent online connectivity, and access to a dedicated in-car app store.

Drivers also have a secondary five-inch digital cockpit display for vital driving data. Standard models feature wireless smartphone integration via Smartlink, while upgraded trims add a wireless phone charging “Phone Box” with active cooling, a 10-speaker premium Canton sound system, satellite navigation and a Mobile Digital Key that enables smartphone-based vehicle access.

Availability and market launch

Buyers eager to secure the brand’s most accessible electric car will not have to wait long. Škoda has confirmed that order books for the new all-electric Epiq will officially open in July 2026. Initial orders will focus on the highly equipped SE L and Edition trim grades paired with the larger 55 battery option, alongside a limited “First Edition” model featuring exclusive design elements and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The full launch presentation and vehicle walkthrough can be viewed via the official live stream on the Škoda YouTube channel – see below.

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A federal jury in Oakland, California, has rejected Elon Musk’s $134 billion lawsuit against OpenAI, finding chief executive Sam Altman and president Greg Brockman not liable for breach of contract.

Deliberating for less than two hours following a three-week trial, the nine-person jury dismissed Musk’s allegations that the executive team unjustly enriched themselves by shifting the artificial intelligence startup from its original non-profit structure into a commercial business.

Presiding Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers immediately affirmed the advisory verdict and dismissed the claims on the spot, stating that substantial evidence supported the jury’s decision.

Musk lost the case because his claims fell outside the legal statute of limitations. OpenAI’s defence successfully demonstrated that Musk was aware of the company’s plans to establish a for-profit entity as early as 2017.

Because California law enforces a three-year limit on such claims, the jury determined that Musk’s 2024 lawsuit was filed too late, rendering his arguments about a breached charitable trust untimely. Microsoft, which Musk accused of aiding and abetting the restructuring, was also found not liable.

With the legal challenge dismissed, OpenAI is cleared to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) targeted for later this year, which could value the company at approximately $1 trillion. The ruling also secures OpenAI’s commercial partnership with Microsoft without the threat of court-ordered restructuring or financial penalties.

Following the verdict, Musk announced on social media that he will appeal the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

He argued that the ruling relied on a calendar technicality rather than the actual merits of the case, asserting that the decision sets a destructive precedent for charitable giving in America.

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More than 100 new datacentres in the UK plan to burn gas

The rise of AI tools that instantly answer questions and complex problems could make humans less intelligent, the Royal Observatory Greenwich has warned. The Observatory, one of the UK’s oldest purpose-built scientific institutions, is known for its contributions to astronomy. Paddy Rodgers, director of the Royal Museums Greenwich group which oversees it, said its rich history of research showed the power of human knowledge and curiosity – and the need to avoid “complete dependence” on AI. “A reliance solely on instant answers risks losing the habits of questioning and evaluation that underpin knowledge, expertise and innovation,” he said. BBC 

As AI becomes increasingly powerful by the day, concerns are growing about everything from the social impact of mass job losses to the risk of widespread hacking. For the Chancellor, there should be one question keeping her awake at night: what does it mean for taxes? “It doesn’t seem implausible that over the next five years, there will be major changes [to jobs] that could have impacts on taxes,” says Arun Advani, director of the Centre for the Analysis of Taxation (CenTax). “If there is even a 2pc chance of that happening, then it would seem really odd not to have planned for what we’re going to do because that is actually quite an extreme change in the economy.” Telegraph

The UK Government is expected to publish a new Green Paper in the next few weeks, which will set out their proposed plan for switching off terrestrial TV signals as part of a move toward internet-based streaming platforms. But the chosen date will be contingent upon universal coverage of affordable “superfast broadband” and other supporting requirements. Few will have failed to notice that there has been a radical shift in how we all access and view TV content over the past two decades. Such content is now increasingly being viewed online. ISPreview

Spotify unveils new app icon. pic.twitter.com/bwCtkJCrtx

— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 14, 2026

Spotify is known for making minor adjustments to its logo for key moments. But its latest update — perhaps the platform’s most noticeable change yet — has left users upset and pleading for it to be reversed. As part of its 20th anniversary “Spotify 20: Your Party of the Year(s)” campaign, the popular music streaming service, which boasts over 751 million monthly active users, unveiled a new design. Instead of the familiar 2-D green circle with three black soundwave lines, the logo is now a 3-D, sparkly green disco ball, though the curved lines remain. Independent 

The traditional way of managing and finding music by endlessly scrolling through ‘Recommended for You’ feels like a thing of the past. While Spotify’s own algorithms are great at finding ‘more of the same,’ Gemini brings a layer of conversational intent and discovery that traditional ‘Made for You’ mixes often miss. Whether I’m looking for a specific 80s pop vibe for my late-night writing session or trying to bridge the gap between my favorite Bollywood tracks and global deep house, the transition from manual searching to Gemini-powered curation has been seamless. AndroidPolice 

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Social media platform X has pledged to review UK reports of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content within 24 hours on average, under commitments accepted by Ofcom. The Elon Musk-owned company said this would apply to content flagged through its illegal content reporting tool. Ofcom’s online safety director Oliver Griffiths called the commitments a “step forward” and said they were of particular importance after recent religiously-motivated crimes targeting Jewish communities in the UK. Ofcom said a separate investigation into X’s AI tool Grok, over concerns it was used to create sexualised images, is ongoing. BBC 

The often frequently changeable pricing and package structure of SpaceX’s Starlink service, which offers ultrafast broadband in the UK and around the globe via a massive constellation of compact satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), has changed again and not for the better. Most UK plans will soon go up by £5 extra per month and some features have doubled in price. The change was spotted yesterday after Starlink began issuing emails to existing customers (new customers will already see the increase). ISPreview 

Apple launched iOS 26.5 on May 11, almost two months after releasing the massive iOS 26.4 update, which included new emoji, video podcasts and more. While iOS 26.5 isn’t as large as the previous update, it includes end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging, an updated Maps app and more than 50 bug fixes.  You can download iOS 26.5 now by going to Settings and tapping General. Next, select Software Update, tap Update Now and follow the prompts on your screen. Here are some of the new features iOS 26.5 brings to your iPhone. CNet 

The Honor 500 series missed the international market last year and remained a China-exclusive duo, but Honor is making the 600 series international once again. The Honor 600 Pro is, of course, positioned as a flagship killer, or sub-flagship phone if you wish, while the vanilla Honor 600, which is the subject of this review, is strictly within the mid-range bracket.

Still, the Honor 600 surprises with some flagship-grade features and hardware. Starting with the display, which uses a 6.57-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and absurdly high maximum brightness. GSM Arena 

After a week of outages, hundreds of millions of students’ data stolen, delayed assignment due dates and school login pages being defaced by hackers, the US tech firm Instructure – which operates the education platform Canvas, used by education providers worldwide – announced it had “reached an agreement with the unauthorised actor” behind the ransomware attack. Experts read the careful language as a sign that a ransom has been paid. The company has not confirmed this. The Guardian 

I have what some would describe as an unhealthy obsession with smartwatch straps. Whatever watch I’m using, I like to swap out the band regularly, and I’ve amassed a huge collection of straps to fit Garmin, Apple and other smartwatches. Had I been doing this by buying official straps from the brands themselves, I’d have had to take out a second mortgage by now, given the crazily high price charged for simple bands. Fortunately, it’s very easy to find great third-party smartwatch straps online that cost a fraction of the price of official bands. Tom’s Guide 

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Eben Upton, the founder of British computer giant Raspberry Pi, has issued a stark warning that overestimating artificial intelligence could exacerbate the UK’s chronic skill shortage and damage long-term economic growth.

Speaking on the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast, Upton cautioned that the current “incredible enthusiasm” for AI chatbots might be distorting the career choices of young people and professionals alike.

The rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude has fuelled widespread predictions that computing roles and graduate positions will soon be obsolete. Tech titans, including Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft have already cited AI as a factor in tens of thousands of recent layoffs.

However, Upton argues that these claims are often exaggerated, and that viewing AI as a replacement for human talent rather than a tool could “undo a lot of the good work” done to encourage people into engineering and programming.

“Some people are very inclined to overestimate what these tools can do,” Upton stated, noting that the fear of a disappearing job market could discourage students from pursuing essential technical qualifications.

He dismissed current advice regarding AI’s impact on GCSE choices as premature, suggesting that it will take five to ten years of data before rational decisions can be made. “The risk of damage is right in this moment,” he added. “We need a supply of engineers.”

Beyond the AI threat, Upton highlighted high energy costs as a primary barrier to UK industrial growth. He noted that while Raspberry Pi has been a rare success story for the London Stock Exchange – floating in 2024 while other firms opted for US listings – Britain’s energy prices remain a significant “challenge” for manufacturers.

He warned that these costs not only hurt industrial capacity, but also drive up labour costs, as companies must pay higher wages to help employees cover domestic bills.

Founded in 2012 to revive interest in computer science, Raspberry Pi has become the UK’s most successful computer manufacturer. Upton’s comments reflect a growing concern that if the narrative of AI-driven job destruction continues unchecked, the UK may face a self-inflicted talent crisis that hampers its industrial and digital future.

BBC 

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BYD is rolling out nine-minute-long flash charging, which it believes will smash the final barriers to mass EV adoption. The Chinese tech company plans to roll out 3,000 of the 1,500kW chargers across Europe in 2026, as it moves into infrastructure as well as the supply of EVs and hybrids, as well as premium cars with its new brand Denza. Will this kill the petrol car, asked Kana Inagaki, the Financial Times’ autos correspondent at its Future of the Car summit in London? “I can not say kill, but [flash charging] can at least compete with the combustion engine,” said BYD’s executive vice president Stella Li with a twinkle in her eye. AutoExpress 

Upcoming Googlebook laptops will be powered by a range of hardware, including chips from Intel, MediaTek, and Qualcomm. “We’re thrilled to partner with Google on something we’ve been building with them—Googlebook. Premium, powerful devices designed for Intelligence. We can’t wait to get it into your hands this fall,” Intel tweeted on Tuesday. TechPowerUp suggests this will include Intel’s Core Series 300 “Wildcat Lake” processors aimed at budget-friendly PCs. PC Mag

WhatsApp has introduced private chats with its AI chatbot which not even the tech company will be able to read in a new “incognito” mode. It means neither the user nor the AI’s responses will be monitored if the feature is activated, and past conversations will disappear from the chat for the user. Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp, said he felt people wanted to have private conversations with AI on sensitive subjects, including health, relationships and finances and didn’t want them to be accessible. BBC 

Datacentres are consuming 6% of electricity in the UK and US, with the growing strain of AI on energy supplies prompting community resistance, according to research. The proportion of electricity used by vast warehouses stacked with microchips to power AI and the internet has risen 15% worldwide in the past two years as annual global investment in datacentres approaches $1tn (£740bn) – nearly 1% of the global economy, according to the International Data Center Authority (IDCA). The figures come amid energy shortages in the UK and datacentre developers reporting waits of several years for national grid connections. The Guardian 

Artificial intelligence bots are likely to embrace Marxism if treated unfairly and overworked, researchers have found. An experiment by economists found that AI “agents” repeatedly ordered to do a range of different tasks were more likely to oppose capitalism and support unionisation. While the researchers said that the bots were likely to be “roleplaying” rather than necessarily believing in far-Left ideas, they added that this could still influence their output. The study was carried out by economists at the Universities of Chicago, Stanford and Swinburne Business School in Australia. Telegraph 

@techradar I tested the Sony A7R VI and it’s perfect — seriously, Sony can stop making cameras now #sony #sonya7rvi #camera #techtok ♬ original sound – TechRadar

Highly-detailed images or blazing-fast performance — historically, you’d have to pick one or the other when choosing a camera. However, Sony has now given us both in one model — the A7R VI — and for me, it’s the perfect mirrorless camera. I’ve shot everything from detail-rich landscapes to fast-moving wildlife photography while testing the A7R VI, and it hasn’t missed a beat. I’ve really appreciated the huge number of pixels I have to play with, which means that heavily cropping into images is entirely possible. Tech Radar 

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The UK’s HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is deploying artificial intelligence to crack down on tax fraud and administrative errors through a landmark £175 million deal with British tech firm Quantexa.

The 10-year partnership aims to modernise the department’s performance by utilising AI to process vast quantities of data more efficiently than human teams alone.

The primary benefit of the new system lies in its “Decision Intelligence” capabilities. Quantexa’s technology will merge internal HMRC records with external data sources to map out hidden networks of individuals and companies masking fraudulent activity.

Beyond criminal investigations, the AI will also assist with administrative efficiency by identifying unintentional errors in tax returns and matching legitimate payments that were submitted with incorrect reference numbers.

By automating these complex data-linking tasks, the government expects to recover significant lost revenue. The investment also aims to alleviate pressure on customer service staff, potentially reversing the trend of poor response times that led to over 93,000 complaints in the 2024-2025 period.

However, the move is not without potential pitfalls. Critics of government AI often point to the “black box” problem, where automated systems make life-altering financial decisions without clear reasoning.

To mitigate this, Quantexa CEO Vishal Marria emphasised that the technology is designed to support, rather than replace, human judgment. Every automated flag will still require a human audit to ensure transparency and accountability.

Data security also remains a critical concern. To address this, the firm has pledged that tax records will never leave the HMRC environment and that staff working on the project will be strictly siloed. If successful, the deal could serve as a blueprint for “digital sovereignty,” proving that the UK can rely on domestic tech firms rather than depending on Silicon Valley giants for critical national infrastructure.

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Waymo is recalling thousands of its self-driving cars in the US over a software issue that could allow vehicles to drive into flooded roads. According to a letter posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), website on Tuesday, the voluntary recall affects nearly 3,800 robotaxis that use the company’s fifth and sixth-generation automated driving systems. It follows an incident on 20 April in San Antonio, Texas, where an empty Waymo vehicle entered a flooded road and was swept into a creek. BBC 

Google has announced a range of features coming to Android phones this year, including a new Gemini Intelligence AI system and a tool to help users avoid distracting apps. Revealed in a livestreamed “Android Show” event, the free upgrades are scheduled to arrive in waves over the next year for high-end new and old phones alike, including Samsung and Pixel devices. Google also revealed that a new lineup of laptops will arrive in the autumn. Guardian

Apple will soon detail a whole host of new features and capabilities coming to all of its devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, but before WWDC 26 kicks off and iOS 27 is revealed, there’s been time for another big software update across the board. Along with the public release of the likes of iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, Apple TV boxes have been delivered tvOS 26.5 – the latest iteration of the system software. T3.com

Over 170 people have been arrested as part of a trial into facial recognition cameras in south London, including a woman who was wanted for over two decades. In total 173 suspects were arrested for crimes including kidnap, rape and serious sexual assault during the pilot in Croydon, during which static cameras rather than vans were used for the first time. The Metropolitan Police said crime in the area reduced by 10.5 per cent during the trial, which took place between October 2025 and March 2026. GB News 

Elon Musk’s desire to control OpenAI was “hair-raising”, the boss of the ChatGPT-maker has claimed. Sam Altman said the Tesla boss wanted complete control of the artificial intelligence giant and planned to hand it on to his children when he died. It marks the latest twist in a high-profile courtroom showdown between two of Silicon Valley’s best-known billionaires, who have been embroiled in a decade-long feud. Telegraph 

More than 70 million warnings were sent to people searching for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online in the last two years, according to new data. That is in excess of 95,000 alerts triggered a day, the figures from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation – the British charity that set up the system – shows. The alerts are sent when someone looks for child abuse content on platforms like TikTok, Meta products, ChatGPT, Google and pornography sites. Sky News 

The National Health Service in England has confirmed it is allowing staff from Palantir access to patient data following a change in policy. The US spy-tech firm provides the technology for the Federated Data Platform (FDP), under a £330 million ($446 million) contract it won in 2023. The system is designed to improve data sharing across the NHS in England and help the state healthcare provider recover from the pandemic backlog. The Register 

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