TechCapsules

After SpaceX’s record‑setting IPO in June, Elon Musk briefly became the world’s first trillionaire, creating a new class of millionaires. Brian Aggrey, a former SpaceX employee, and his wife Phoebe Novack amassed a substantial stake through signing allocations and bonuses. They sold part of their shares, retained the majority, and launched a “Year of Freak” with a $25,000 monthly budget for global travel and artistic pursuits until July 31, 2027. Their itinerary includes the French Alps, Milan, [...]

Walmart is offering a wide selection of Halloween decorations at low prices, featuring items such as plush pumpkins, an animated broom, and numerous skeletons. The retailer’s catalog includes 12 highlighted pieces that are described as “spooktacular” and budget-friendly, aiming to help shoppers prepare for the season without overspending. The article showcases the variety of ghoulish goods available online and encourages readers to explore additional options on Walmart’s website. The focus is on affordability and variety for home [...]

On August 27, the nation’s first grid‑connected, pre‑permitted open‑ocean wave‑energy test facility, PacWave South, opened on Oregon’s coast. The ribbon‑cutting, hosted by Oregon State University, was attended by leaders from the U.S. Department of Energy, Congress, and the Oregon Legislature. PacWave South, managed by OSU and funded in part by DOE’s Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office, can host up to 20 wave‑energy converters, each linked to a 5‑MW subsea cable, and is licensed for 25 years under FERC. The [...]

On 15 September 2026, the All‑Party Parliamentary Group for Semiconductors launched its paper “Defence and National Security: Delivering a Sovereign Semiconductor Capability” during a parliamentary reception. Speeches were delivered by Chair Ruth Jones MP, Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Kinnock, Minister for Defence Readiness Luke Pollard, and Minister for Artificial Intelligence Kanishka Narayan. The event gathered MPs, defence leaders, industry experts, and innovators from companies such as Vishay Intertechnology, KLA, and MBDA, underscoring the strategic importance of semiconductors for UK security and [...]

Young British AI researcher Jacob Coxon quit Anthropic in early September and warned that unchecked AI progress could lead to human extinction within two years. His alarm sparked a rapid response from the industry: Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published a 3,800‑word essay urging a slowdown of capability development and pledged to place independent examiners with full system access inside the company. OpenAI’s Sam Altman publicly endorsed the pacing proposal, and xAI founder Elon Musk echoed Amodei’s stance. The trio’s coordinated call [...]

Neuralink released a brief video on X showing a clinical trial participant with a speech impairment using the company’s N1 brain‑computer interface to convey the phrase “I love you” to a loved one. The 0.23‑second clip demonstrates the device’s ability to translate neural activity into audible speech, marking a new application of the technology beyond cursor control. The participant’s successful communication underscores Neuralink’s broader goal of restoring verbal interaction for individuals unable to speak. The demonstration follows [...]

Sega announced that its upcoming PlayStation 5 reboot of the Crazy Taxi franchise, titled Crazy Taxi: World Tour, will feature a new map set in Japan, marking the series’ first foray into the country. The Japan map is the third of five locations in the single‑player World Tour story campaign, following a previously revealed Germany map, and will sit alongside two additional undisclosed cities. The game combines a globe‑trotting narrative, arcade modes and the series’ inaugural multiplayer mode, letting players drift, jump and [...]

The Xbox showcase at Tokyo Game Show 2026 unveiled a slate of new titles and updates extending through 2027. Highlights included a cinematic trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, slated for October 23, 2026, depicting a conflict on the Korean Peninsula, and Persona 4 Revival, a February 18, 2027 release that brings the Inaba detective story to Xbox Play Anywhere and Game Pass. New IPs featured Gachiakuta: Breakout, an action‑RPG set in the anime’s world, and Bloomwalker, a crafting adventure about restoring [...]