TechCapsules

A new Basel Action Network report warns that the rapid expansion of artificial‑intelligence workloads will generate a massive, previously under‑estimated stream of electronic waste. Between 2025 and 2050, retired AI‑specific hardware – including accelerators, GPUs, cooling units and networking gear – could total 395‑617 million tonnes, enough to fill 15‑23 million 40‑foot containers and circle the globe six times. The study attributes the surge to the end of Moore’s Law, which forces firms to replace equipment every 2.5 years rather [...]

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) broke the $1 trillion market‑cap threshold on Monday, trading at $613.31 and up 9.6 % after a rally driven by AI‑related demand. The milestone makes AMD the fourth U.S. chipmaker—after Nvidia, Broadcom and Micron—to join the exclusive $1 trillion club and positions it as Nvidia’s closest rival in graphics processing units. Investors are shifting money back into AI hardware amid broader market concerns over hyperscaler spending, oil‑price volatility and a “higher‑for‑longer” Federal Reserve policy. AMD’s strategy [...]

9to5Mac Daily released a new episode on September 21, 2026, summarizing the day’s top Apple stories. The podcast, available on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, and RSS feeds, is sponsored by Stuff, a task‑management app. Episodes air weekdays, with a premium “Plus” option for direct support. Listeners can contact the show via happyhour@9to5mac.com and rate it on Apple Podcasts or Overcast. The episode highlights the latest iPhone 18 Pro and iOS 27.2 updates.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed AI researchers’ warnings that rapid AI development could threaten humanity, labeling 2030 doomsday predictions as “doomsday narratives.” In a CBS News interview, Huang asserted a 0% chance of an AI‑induced apocalypse and questioned the motives behind calls for increased government oversight, suggesting leaders seek relief from existing regulations. His remarks arrive amid growing industry debate, with Anthropic, OpenAI, and Elon Musk advocating a slowdown in AI progress to mitigate risks. Huang’s stance [...]

General Motors clarified that its electric vehicle lineup will not receive Apple CarPlay, a decision that has remained unchanged for three years. The company confirmed that only its upcoming gas‑powered 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks will support CarPlay and Android Auto, while EVs will rely on an in‑house infotainment system built on Android Automotive OS. The clarification followed confusion after reports of CarPlay availability in GM’s EVs and highlighted the firm’s commitment to a proprietary [...]

Bitcoin’s borderless network offers a 24/7 settlement rail for international trade, allowing exporters to receive BTC directly from overseas buyers and later convert it to local currency. In the first half of 2026, CoinGate logged 152,254 Bitcoin payments, with Lightning Network handling 9.6% of transactions. Traditional cross‑border payments rely on correspondent banks, FX conversions, and limited banking hours, whereas Bitcoin can bypass many intermediaries. However, volatility remains a drawback, prompting institutions to adopt stablecoins; in September 2026, [...]

The European Central Bank (ECB) launched Pontes, a service linking its payment system to blockchain-based financial markets, enabling banks and investors to settle transactions in euros backed by the ECB instead of private stablecoins. Deutsche Bank, Santander, and Clearstream are the first users, with the platform operating 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CET on business days and expanding later. The ECB also announced it will invest a portion of its €23 billion funds in blockchain‑issued, highly rated euro‑denominated [...]

SEALSQ Corp, its parent WISeKey International Holding Ltd, and the Swiss Canton of Jura signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the Jura Post‑Quantum Semiconductor and Cybersecurity Center. The public‑private partnership will invest CHF 40 million to CHF 60 million over six years to develop regional expertise in personalizing, testing, and certifying hardware‑embedded post‑quantum cryptography. The center will use SEALSQ’s QS7001 Quantum Shield microcontrollers, which run NIST‑standard ML‑KEM and ML‑DSA lattice algorithms, and will support defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure sectors. [...]