TechCapsules

Midjourney, a company previously known for AI imagery, is rebranding itself as a wellness brand. The company is developing a body scanner technology that claims to be faster, cheaper, and less invasive than an MRI. The scanner uses ultrasonic sound waves and underwater sensors to create a detailed 3D map of the body. Midjourney plans to open a spa in downtown San Francisco, featuring a scanner as the centerpiece, and aims to provide a more comfortable and [...]

Security researchers have disclosed an unpatchable SecureROM exploit, called usbliter8, for Apple's A12 and A13 chips. The vulnerability affects devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, allowing researchers to gain control before iOS starts loading. The exploit targets a flaw in Apple's USB boot process and cannot be fixed through software updates. Devices affected include the iPhone XS, iPhone 11 lineup, and several iPad and Apple Watch models. The vulnerability exists in the SecureROM, the first [...]

AI inference company Baseten is reportedly closing a $1.5 billion funding round at a $13 billion valuation, according to the Wall Street Journal. This latest round represents a 160% increase in valuation in less than half a year, following a $300 million Series E round in May 2023 at a $5 billion valuation. The startup, launched in 2019, benefits from the "inference gold rush" and promises to handle inference quickly while controlling costs.

At the VivaTech tech conference in Paris, concerns about "sovereign AI" are being discussed, with European companies questioning their dependence on American AI technology. The U.S. government's recent shutdown of foreign access to Anthropic's powerful Mythos-tier models has highlighted the risks of technological dependence. Companies are now reassessing their AI spending, with some burning through their budgets quickly and others becoming more selective in their use of AI technology. This shift marks a move from the "free-for-all" [...]

PlayStation has reportedly abandoned its plans for PC ports of single-player games due to inconsistent releases and lack of revenue. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Herman Hulst cited the reasons for this decision as the games' poor performance on PC, including delayed releases and botched ports. The company will continue to support live-service games on PC but has decided to keep its single-player narrative-driven games exclusive to PlayStation consoles.

Google has confirmed a bug in Android 17 that causes homescreen widgets to disappear for some Pixel owners. The issue, linked to the Work Profile, affects users who have upgraded to the stable Android 17 update. Reports of the problem date back to February, and affected users have found temporary workarounds, but a proper fix is expected in a future software update. Google has acknowledged the issue and assured a solution is coming soon.

Google Health has rolled out a major v5.02 patch for Android and iOS devices, bringing several updates to the app. The patch includes easier reordering of key metrics, a separate tab for recorded naps, and more sleep data updates. The "Today" tab has also been upgraded with more metrics and reordering controls. Additionally, Hourly Activity has returned to the Google Health app, allowing users to track their step goals per hour. The update is rolling out in [...]

Humanoid robots and smart homes took center stage at VivaTech 2026 in Paris, showcasing the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors. Chinese company Unitree's AI-powered humanoid robots performed demonstrations, while robotic dogs navigated through exhibition halls. Companies like Samsung presented AI-driven products for everyday life, including a smart refrigerator that tracks food items and generates shopping lists. The event, which runs until 20 June, has attracted start-ups and industry leaders from around the world [...]