TechCapsules

Epic Games disclosed the exact drop rates for Fortnite’s new Pirate Token after a week of fan backlash and threats of FTC complaints. The token, introduced with the Treasure Hunters mini‑season on Nov. 1, unlocks the Pirate Shop and grants free access to all items for 14 days, making it one of the game’s most coveted rewards. Players argued they deserved odds transparency before grinding through thousands of chests. In a post on the Fortnite Service X/Twitter account, [...]

Esbjerg, Denmark, tested a seawater‑sourced district‑heating system in November 2026, using two electric heat pumps that drew water from the North Sea at 3.3 °C and returned it at 1.2 °C. The pumps consumed 19.9 MW of electricity and delivered 55.2 MW of heat at 90 °C, achieving a coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.8, meaning each kilowatt of electricity generated 2.8 kW of heat. The installation, capable of 70 MW, replaces a retired coal‑fired plant and operates alongside a wood‑chip boiler and waste‑incineration [...]

IBM, the University of Chicago, the State of Illinois and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park unveiled an on‑premises IBM Quantum System Two at Hyde Park Labs, marking the first physical quantum computer installed in Illinois. The machine, built on IBM’s Quantum Nighthawk processor, will initially serve the National Quantum Algorithm Center before moving to the IQMP campus once construction finishes. By shifting Chicago researchers from remote cloud access to local hardware, the system offers low‑latency execution for [...]

Velotric’s GoMad Electric Utility eBike, a versatile model aimed at a broad consumer base, was tested by CleanTechnica. The bike arrives partially assembled and can be fully built with basic tools in 30‑60 minutes, including optional passenger‑kit installation. Its integrated downtube battery, oversized tires, and rear hub motor deliver 750 W continuous (1,300 W peak) power across six pedal‑assist modes, from Eco to Boost. The design incorporates a rear rack that converts into a passenger seat, supporting up to [...]

Bengaluru‑based quantum cybersecurity firm QNu Labs has launched a 12‑hour corporate training program through its QNu Academy, aimed at preparing enterprise security teams for quantum‑safe migration. Backed by India’s National Quantum Mission, the three‑day curriculum targets CISOs, network architects and risk officers, teaching them to assess cryptographic vulnerabilities and plan transitions against threats such as “harvest now, decrypt later.” Modules cover quantum communications, Quantum Key Distribution, Quantum Random Number Generation, Post‑Quantum Cryptography, asset inventory management and algorithm [...]

On November 7, 2026, a Brisbane couple collected their new Tesla Model Y, a 2026‑built Standard Range vehicle they nicknamed “REDD.” The handover took place at a bustling Tesla delivery centre, a stark contrast to the cramped, three‑minute exchanges of seven years earlier. While a line of internal‑combustion cars waited for trade‑in, dozens of Model Ys were being unloaded, and the staff guided the buyers through syncing phones and detailing procedures. The couple reflected on aging bodies, the emotional difficulty [...]

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) unveiled a Post‑Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Toolkit at the FiNETech 8 forum, creating an operational and supervisory framework for licensed banks to replace vulnerable classical public‑key encryption. The move follows a July 2026 baseline audit that gave Hong Kong’s banking sector a Quantum Preparedness Index (QPI) of 2.3 out of 10, prompting a target of a perfect 10.0 by 2030. Co‑developed by HKMA supervisors and HKUST faculty, [...]

BMW announced a new incentive for its 2027 electric models – the i5, i7 and iX3 – offering buyers a $500 charging credit. The package splits into a $300 credit usable on the BMW Charging Network and a $200 credit for IONNA‑partner stations, plus a one‑year IONNA membership that grants a 25 % discount. BMW says the offer, effective Nov. 5, 2026, aims to simplify charging and make it more affordable. The move arrives as U.S. utilities expand “free‑hours” [...]