TechCapsules

Apple updated its insider‑trading policy in its fiscal 2026 Form 10‑K, adding a new clause that bars employees from using confidential information to bet on prediction markets. The policy now explicitly prohibits participation in prediction markets or similar platforms for wagering, trading, or selling contracts based on future events when such activity involves Apple confidential information or that of suppliers, manufacturers, vendors, or customers. Employees may also not tip others with confidential data for market participation. The update [...]

ACM Research, Inc. shipped its first 310 × 310 mm Ultra ECP ap‑p panel‑level horizontal electroplating production system to an Asian customer outside mainland China. The delivery follows last year’s 515 × 510 mm R&D tool shipment, underscoring ACM’s rapid commercialization of panel‑level technologies. The system supports copper, nickel, tin‑silver, and gold plating, featuring a high‑speed paddle for tall copper pillars, a four‑sided sealing chuck, in‑cell rinse, and a patent‑pending rotating electric field for uniform deposition. ACM highlights the tool as the world’s [...]

Microsoft announced a November 2026 wave of 13 new titles for Xbox Game Pass, including Football Manager 27, two Vampire Survivors spin‑offs—Vampire Crawlers and Warhammer Survivors—and titles such as Pit of Goblin, Escape Academy 2, and Firefighting Simulator: Ignite. Releases span PC, Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and handheld platforms, with some titles dropping on November 3 and others on November 10. The lineup also features the addition of classic Banjo‑Kazooie titles to Game Pass Essential and the removal of 20 games, including [...]

Apple has launched a new advertising campaign for the ProLED MacBook Pro, targeting users on Discord, a platform popular among its core demographic. The ad appears as a viewing option to active Discord members, who receive 250 in‑game currency for cosmetics upon completing the advertisement. This strategy continues Apple’s long‑standing practice of placing ads where its audience spends time, while leveraging Discord’s engagement metrics to reach tech‑savvy consumers. The campaign underscores Apple’s focus on immersive, platform‑specific marketing. [...]

Ballistic Ventures, a San Francisco‑based cybersecurity venture firm co‑founded by former Kleiner Perkins partner Ted Schlein, announced plans to raise $490 million through two new funds: a $360 million third flagship fund and a $130 million Ballistic Ventures Fund B. The firm, established in 2021, has backed companies such as Talon Cyber Security, Pangea, and Armadin. Its fundraising comes amid a surge in AI‑driven cyber threats and a record $11.5 billion raised by U.S. cybersecurity startups in 2025, with AI‑enabled deals comprising 72% [...]

CD Projekt Red confirmed that the third expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, titled Songs of the Past, will launch in 2027. The DLC will introduce a new region, Lettin, featuring distinct cultural influences, unique traversal mechanics, and a new monster, the Swarmion. Developers highlighted the importance of local customs, such as a honey‑beer beverage, in shaping the area’s economy and monster design. The team emphasized strict adherence to established lore while expanding the game’s world. [...]

Apple’s macOS 27.3 beta introduces native Markdown rendering in Quick Look, allowing users to view formatted .md files without opening a separate editor. The update follows Apple’s broader Markdown strategy, which includes import/export support in Notes and new Siri AI developer tools that use SKILL.md files. The beta also adds Safari features such as Vertical Tabs and Adaptive Dark Mode, expands Siri AI capabilities, and offers new developer tools. The change streamlines document workflows and aligns macOS [...]

Betelgeuse, the bright red supergiant in Orion, has dimmed noticeably over recent months, dropping from magnitude +0.5 to +0.95. The star’s 430‑day pulsation cycle, a 2,100‑day long secondary period, and a 2019–2020 Great Dimming have long puzzled astronomers. In January 2026, the ESO VLT and Hubble revealed a faint companion, Alpha Ori B (nicknamed Siwarha), orbiting every six years within Betelgeuse’s chromosphere. Its gravitational wake of dust and gas can block starlight, explaining the latest fading.