TechCapsules

Volvo Trucks’ new generation of heavy‑duty electric trucks—FH Electric, FM Electric, FMX Electric and FH Aero Electric—was awarded International Truck of the Year 2027 at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover. The jury praised the range’s longer driving distances, energy efficiency, payload capacity and versatility. Volvo began series production of the new models on September 14 at its Tuve plant, with additional output planned in Ghent. The flagship FH Aero Electric can travel up to 700 km on a [...]

Microsoft co‑founder Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence is “powerful enough to drive events that could cause a billion deaths,” telling NBC that the technology, when wielded by malicious actors, could become the most lethal weapon ever created. Gates emphasized that the danger lies not in autonomous AI turning hostile, but in its capacity to amplify human intent, enabling large‑scale cyberattacks, disinformation, biological threats and other disruptive actions. He argued that industry self‑regulation is insufficient and called [...]

Actress Melissa Barrera said she would consider returning to the “Scream” franchise, but only if the rights move away from Spyglass Media, which fired her in late 2023 after she posted pro‑Palestine messages. Barrera, who starred in “Scream 5” and “Scream 6,” told JustWatch she still loves the series yet refuses to work for the company that labeled her incorrectly and refused to apologize. Spyglass’ “zero‑tolerance” stance sparked fan backlash, and the controversy coincided with the departures of co‑star Jenna Ortega [...]

Mantle reported that the number of tokenized assets on its blockchain surged to 1,473, up from 71 at the start of 2026. The Distributed Asset Value (DAV) associated with these tokens reached approximately $476 million, a 110 % increase over the previous 30 days. The growth spans tokenized equities, ETFs, regulated stablecoins and other real‑world assets issued by firms such as xStocks, Securitize, Ethena and Paxos. Mantle emphasizes that the expansion reflects a shift from mere issuance to broader [...]

Director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that the upcoming Final Fantasy VII Revelation will feature a Platinum trophy that is considerably easier to obtain than the one in its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Hamaguchi explained that Rebirth’s low Platinum rate—about 2.6 percent—was intentional, designed to force players to master extensive content. After seeing fan backlash, he and battle director Teruki Endo expressed regret but stopped short of calling the difficulty a misjudgment. For Revelation, the team has shifted focus toward “enjoyable” combat and expects at least 20 percent of [...]

Modern vehicle owner’s manuals often contain hidden convenience functions that many drivers never discover. While most owners consult the manual only for warning lights or oil specifications, it also details features such as remote window operation, customizable door‑unlock settings, automatic mirror folding, adjustable interior lighting, and a valet mode for infotainment systems. These capabilities vary by make and model, and many are accessed through specific key‑fob button combinations or menu selections that are not obvious from the [...]

Amazon has launched an October Prime Day Audible promotion that runs until October 7. Prime members can enroll in Audible Standard for four months at $0.99 per month and receive an additional $20 in Audible credit. After the promotional period, the subscription automatically switches to the $8.99 monthly rate, though users may cancel anytime. Audible Standard, priced at $8.95 monthly, offers the same catalog of over one million titles as the Premium Plus tier but provides only one [...]

Central banks worldwide are advancing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), a shift that could replace cash with fully traceable digital money. The European Central Bank’s digital‑euro design limits offline payments and mandates identity checks for larger transfers, while the Federal Reserve’s FedNow platform, launched in July 2023, provides the technical backbone for a future U.S. CBDC. China already operates a digital yuan, and more than 130 nations—covering 98 % of global GDP—are actively exploring similar schemes. Proponents cite [...]