TechCapsules

NASA's Link spacecraft, developed by Katalyst Space Technologies, is set to launch on June 27 to raise the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a gamma-ray observatory in low Earth orbit. The mission, which has been developed in under a year, aims to prevent the Swift Observatory from reentering Earth's atmosphere by late 2024. NASA selected Katalyst in September 2023 to develop Link under a $30 million contract, with the agency emphasizing the need for a [...]

Microsoft is rolling out a change to its Authenticator app, requiring users to manually enter a two-digit number for login verification instead of tapping one of three options. This update aims to improve security by reducing the risk of accidental approvals and spam attacks. The change first appeared for enterprise and education users, but has since started rolling out to personal Microsoft accounts. The update is part of Microsoft's efforts to phase out insecure SMS codes as [...]

The Pokémon Company has launched "Pokémon Champions" on iPhone, iPad, and Android, expanding its competitive battle game beyond the Nintendo Switch. The free-to-play title focuses on Pokémon battles, allowing players to compete in ranked, casual, and private matches using familiar mechanics. Players can connect Pokémon Home to bring eligible Pokémon from existing collections into the game, and engage in cross-platform battles with mobile devices and Nintendo Switch consoles.

D-Wave announced a forthcoming gate-model quantum computing simulator designed to support error-aware programming and application development. The simulator will use D-Wave's dual-rail architecture to provide error-detection data, real-time control capabilities, and tools for modeling quantum processor behavior. Access to the simulator is expected to begin in September 2026 through D-Wave's Leap cloud platform as part of new quantum development bundles.

Spotify has launched "Reserved by Spotify," a system that identifies top fans of an artist and holds two tour tickets for them before the general ticket sale opens. The feature, available for Live Nation concerts, uses signals like streams, shares, and activity to determine eligible fans. Ticket sales are through Ticketmaster, and the system aims to reward music fans and encourage paid subscriptions. Spotify plans to add more partners and smaller venues over time, including international users.

Maritime organisations, including Transport & Environment (T&E), have urged the EU Commission to integrate the shipping industry into its upcoming Electrification Action Plan. The plan, set to be published on July 15, aims to electrify Europe, reduce fossil fuel imports, and lower emissions. Shipping companies can now connect to local grids in ports, but significant barriers remain, hindering the industry's electrification.

An experimental satellite, Pulsar-0, has mapped the scale of GPS jamming across Europe and the Middle East from space for the first time. The data revealed that satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) suffer from GPS signal disruption, contradicting previous assumptions that they were immune to jamming. The findings indicate that LEO satellites may not always be able to rely on GPS signals for navigation and timing, posing a challenge for their operations. The data was collected [...]

HONOR, a leading AI device ecosystem company, has launched the HONOR Watch 6, a cutting-edge smartwatch designed to unlock users' healthiest potential. The device seamlessly integrates a light and elegant design with professional sports modes and continuous health tracking powered by the latest HONOR AI capability. Key features include 120+ sports modes, advanced water-touch control, IP69K water and dust resistance, and a robust 980mAh battery delivering up to 35 days of battery life.