Daily digest · Sunday, September 6, 2026

DIY solar, old phones as cameras, and more tech

Plug-in DIY solar kits are gaining traction in the US, while app-based hacks let you repurpose an old iPhone or Android as a security camera. The rest of the lineup spans a new Fairphone model, AI email risks, Pokémon tournament rules, a first commercial European orbital launch, and market stories from fusion to sugar.

1 · The Verge

DIY plug-in solar gains momentum in the US

DIY plug-in solar kits can cut electricity costs from hundreds of dollars per year toward nearly $0 by plugging solar output into standard wall outlets, with typical starting prices around $300 for panel-and-microinverter kits and optional batteries starting around $500 for 1kWh or $1,500 for 3kWh.

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2 · The Verge

The Fairphone 6 Plus is the midrange phone we desperately needed

Fairphone 6 Plus is $649 in the US and is described as “just fine” for a midrange Android phone, with 12GB RAM, a five-year warranty, up to six OS upgrades, and 12 user-replaceable parts including the battery, screen, USB-C port, and all three cameras.

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3 · Engadget

Don't get rid of your old phone, turn it into a security camera

You can turn an old iPhone or Android phone into a live security camera in under five minutes using the free AlfredCamera app (no wiring required besides keeping it charged).

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4 · Yahoo Finance

Bruker (BRKR) Wagers On Fusion Energy While Wall Street Waits

Bruker’s BEST unit entered a supply collaboration with Luvata Materials & Solutions to scale up production of RRP superconductors for magnetic confinement fusion, building on prior ITER and Wendelstein 7-X work.

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5 · CNET

I Made Some Money Selling an Old Digital Camera. Here’s How

Online used-camera retailers like KEH, MPB, Adorama, and B&H Photo will quote your camera after receiving it and then pay via store credit or a direct deposit, but they typically pay less than you could get selling yourself.

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6 · The Verge

Competitive Pokémon is on phones now, but you still need a Switch to become a champion

At the Pokémon World Championships this year, the mobile version of Pokémon Champions was not allowed, and regional-level tournaments and above will still require Switch hardware after the September 1 rules refresh.

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7 · CNBC

Sugar is outperforming the stock market this year. Here's what's driving it, and where it can go from here

Sugar prices surged 21.5% in August—the strongest monthly gain since October 2010—pushing sugar futures up about 20% year-to-date in 2026 versus nearly 13% for the S&P 500.

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8 · Engadget

Claude can help manage your email inbox, but there are some risks involved

Claude can take actions in your Gmail inbox—including drafting and sending, replying, and forwarding emails without your approval if you allow it—so there are real risks like sending incorrect or maliciously guided messages.

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9 · Ars Technica

German company becomes first in Europe to launch fully commercial orbital rocket

Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum became the first fully commercial European launch vehicle to reach low-Earth orbit, lifting off Saturday at 4:12 pm EST (20:12 UTC) from Andøya Spaceport in Norway and reaching orbit seven minutes later.

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10 · CNET

An Apple Watch Ultra 4 Could Outshine the Series 12 This Year, but at What Price?

Rumors say Apple will launch an Ultra 4 alongside a Series 12 on Sept. 9 with faster chips and new health/fitness features, with Gurman reporting Apple is preparing a faster S11 (or possibly S12) to match both watches’ naming.

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